Why did delegates write their bills?
By: Kayden Boussenbroek
Delegates from all over the state have spent months writing, rewriting, editing, and discussing ideas and topics for legislative bills. Bills start as ideas, brainstorming meetings and ideas scribbled on sticky notes. These ideas are transformed and refined to be ready for debate. Delegates of the Nelson and Senate assembly were interviewed about their writing. Peter Langfeldt’s ideas about AC unit installation and HVAC technicians brought new ideas and surprising facts to the Nelson assembly floor. Meanwhile Audrey VanderLinden’s worry for the safety of Wisconsin residents and the drunk driving rates and deaths.
Peter Langfeldt’s “An Act to mandate professional installation of air conditioning systems and eliminate the residential installation exception.” Peter began researching with his dad, a hard worker in his home. His dad expressed the unsafe working conditions witnessed in Door County as a professional in AC unit installation. His dad faces challenges like the danger of chemical leaks coming from coolant, a chemical. With double the potency of carbon monoxide, and lubricant in the systems as well as risks of electrical fire due to improper installation. Peter expressed concern over the lack of restriction in his fathers’ field of work, especially the idea that any resident can install a unit. Home owners often believe that installation is as simple as placing the unit in the window and connecting to a power supply like an extension cord or wall outlet. Peter’s restriction would ensure that air conditioning units would be installed under the supervision of a person, typically an HVAC technician, with 2 permits, one to handle the wires, and one to handle coolant chemicals. During the debate of Peter’s bill, he noted the common idea that it doesn’t matter to improperly install a system carried by people who had previously installed AC units under the “homeowner exception”. It was seldom known that the systems could cause lots of harm to others in the home. Peter wrote this bill to keep himself, his family, his neighbors, and homeowners statewide safe.
Another bill debated today was authored by Audrey Vanderlinden, a delegate of Reedsville. Audrey introduced “An Act to lower Wisconsin’s BAC limit from 0.08% to 0.05%.” Audrey utilized her time writing beginning in February looking into the death rates of drunk driving in our state, and to prioritize the safety of citizens on the road. Audrey was driven to inspire change when her previous babysitter and family friend had her life taken in a collision with an impaired driver. Audrey spoke of the unfair nature of her death, and how preventable the event was. Audrey’s bill was written to match legislature in states like Utah, who mandate lower BAC limits. She wishes to face the epidemic of alcohol use and the operation of vehicles while under the influence directly and prevent further damage done to our society, one where the consumption of alcohol is normalized.
Legislative delegates spend months writing, beginning as early as October. These delegates commit to ideas that carry deep ties to them personally, and work hard to ensure they can express themselves through facts and debate with peers. Whether it be their fathers work or the death of a friend, delegates write their experiences and personality into their bills. They hope to inspire change with the passing of bills and for their months of work to pay off.