Contact: Hariah Hutkowski
Phone: 608-266-3156
Senate passes SB 48
Madison – Today, Rep. Jeremy Thiesfeldt (R–Fond du Lac) applauded the WI State Senate’s passage on a voice vote of Senate Bill 48 (SB 48) during Jan. 23 floor action. SB 48, the ‘Leading on Lead Bill’, provides a funding mechanism for communities to provide financial assistance programs for private property owners to replace their lead service lines providing drinking water to thousands of WI homes.
Rep. Thiesfeldt stated, “Bringing this bill to the governor’s desk is the culmination of a great deal of bipartisan effort. I appreciate the partnership with Senator Robert Cowles in advancing this bill. This bill is significant, and has received national attention. It creates a framework for the replacement of lead laterals so that all Wisconsin communities can work with homeowners to begin the process of affordably replacing these hazardous water lines for homeowners.”
SB 48 is a first-in-the-nation approach to providing assistance to homeowners for lead lateral replacement. Individuals exposed to lead, especially children, experience many ailments, but are more prone to cognitive disabilities.
The timing of the legislation and new tool will allow local governments to begin to put this program in place to potentially replace lead laterals this summer. In order to utilize the tools created by the bill, a municipality must approve an ordinance allowing financial assistance through ratepayer money.
Thiesfeldt concluded, “I urge the Governor to quickly sign this legislation so that we can increase the removal rate of lead drinking water laterals and help protect the health and welfare of thousands of Wisconsin children.”
