Information released Friday by Rep. Scott Johnson’s office noted that the freshman legislator’s first bill, authorizing school board members to volunteer as school bus drivers within their districts, was signed into law on Friday by Gov. Tony Evers.

Johnson, R-Jefferson, who represents the 33rd Assembly District, according to his office, released the following statement about the signing of the bill:

Today I had the great honor to witness the 46th governor of our state sign Assembly Bill 233 into law. This legislation provides the ability for local school board members to volunteer as school bus drivers in their districts.

With our state and nation dealing with a worker shortage, I saw it as a no-brainer to make a correction and provide this opportunity.

At the bill signing, I would have loved to share my thoughts with the local media and to shed light on other school bus related issues facing our state. Unfortunately, the Governor’s staff didn’t have the same priorities.

Disappointing, but what needs to be made clear is that while this legislation was bi-partisan, it would never have become law without the hard work from my office and a collective understanding of importance from my Assembly Republican colleagues.

It is not lost on me that as a freshman legislator getting a bill passed through both houses and signed into law isn’t common. I am humbled and grateful to all my colleagues for seeing this as common sense and getting the job done.

The 33rd Assembly District, represented by Scott Johnson, R-Jefferson, includes the communities, in part or full, of Fort Atkinson, Jefferson, Milton, Helenville, Hebron, Sullivan, Oakland and Palmyra. A portion of the city of Whitewater, which resides in Jefferson County, also is included.