An Act to create 84.10478 of the statutes; Relating to: designating the Greg Quinn and Larry Millard Memorial Bridge.
Summary
SB422 creates a new section of Wisconsin statutes directing the Department of Transportation to designate the overpass on I-39 over State Highway 82 in the Town of Oxford, Marquette County, as the “Greg Quinn and Larry Millard Memorial Bridge.” The designation honors Greg Quinn and Larry Millard, two firefighters who died in the line of duty.
The bill also requires the department to erect and maintain bridge markers identifying the memorial designation, but only after receiving sufficient contributions from interested parties to cover the costs. It expressly prohibits the use of state funds for installing or maintaining the markers, beyond any donated contributions received for that purpose.
Impact
The bill adds a specific memorial bridge designation to Wisconsin statutes by creating s. 84.10478. In practical terms, it requires the Department of Transportation to recognize the overpass as a memorial bridge and to install signage once private or local contributions are sufficient to pay for the markers. The measure affects state transportation signage policy and any local governments, organizations, or individuals who may contribute funds for the memorial markers, while preserving the state budget by barring state expenditures for the markers.
Sentiment
The available context suggests the bill was noncontroversial and likely received favorable treatment, as it is a commemorative measure honoring two fallen firefighters. No committee transcripts or recorded votes are provided, and the only later action shown is the addition of a cosponsor, which is consistent with broad support. The bill’s tone is respectful and memorializing rather than policy-driven or partisan.
Contention
There is little apparent contention in the bill itself. The only substantive policy limitation is that marker costs must be covered by contributions from interested parties, including local governments, before the Department of Transportation may erect and maintain the signs. Any discussion of contention would likely center on funding responsibility and whether local or private donors should pay for the memorial markers, but no explicit opposition or debate is included in the provided record.