Bill would fund local violence prevention with vapor product taxes

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services would run a violence prevention grant program funded by vapor product taxes. All state excise tax revenue from vapor products would be set aside for these grants to local health departments and tribal health centers. Local health departments and tribal health centers would need to apply. They could run violence prevention programs themselves or award grants to organizations that conduct those programs. Grant applications would be due no later than June 30 of each fiscal year.

Local health departments and tribal health centers could not pass grant money to law enforcement agencies or groups that provide services with or through them. The restriction would cover tribal police and other law enforcement agencies. The restriction would also cover any group that provides services together with or through a law enforcement agency.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services would receive funding and authority for one full-time staff position to administer the grants. The staff position would administer the violence prevention grant program. The position would be funded from general state revenue, separate from the vapor product taxes set aside for grants. The position would be authorized in fiscal year 2025–26, with further funding in fiscal year 2026–27.