Accessibility menu
State Representative Joe Atkins
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4192
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
Press/News Releases
ATKINS PASSES HISTORIC FIREFIGHTER LICENSING BILL
When firefighters decided they wanted to be licensed, just like police officers, lawyers, doctors, and other professionals, they turned to Rep. Joe Atkins to carry the legislation.
After multiple committee hearings, the bill passed with wide bipartisan support and was signed into law recently by Governor Pawlenty. The new law will be the first in the nation allowing firefighters to be licensed, and it is already being hailed as a model for other states.
“Firefighters sought licensing in an effort to have their advanced training and professional status better recognized," said Atkins. “I was happy to help.”
In addition to praising firefighters for their work in support of the bill, Atkins also said Inver Grove Heights Fire Chief Judy Thill and former State Rep. Dennis Ozment (R-Rosemount), deserve credit for the bill’s passage.
Chief Thill provided valuable insights to make the bill better. Rep. Ozment, a former firefighter, was the bill’s original author before he retired from the House of Representatives in 2008.
News Items
- Rep. Atkins, Sen. Lourey Introduce Health Insurance Exchange Legislation - (Posted: Jan 9 2013 3:44PM)
- Rep. Atkins – Statement on Deal to End NHL Lockout - (Posted: Jan 7 2013 2:05PM)
- Rep. Atkins to Hold Minnesota House Hearing on Economic Impact of Hockey Lockout - (Posted: Jan 2 2013 3:20PM)
- Archived News Items
- Subscribe to RSS News Feeds
- Read more about RSS.