MADISON - Gov. Jim Doyle has signed a law that makes people arrested on Madeline Island pay for the ferry ride to the mainland if they're arrested after hours.

In the past, taxpayers have had to cover the cost of transporting individuals arrested after regular ferry hours.  There is no facility to house people arrested on Madeline Island, and the cost of a special ferry run is about $500.  In 2008, taxpayers covered nearly $4,000 in special ferry trip fees.

The bill was authored by the area's two state legislators, Sen. Bob Jauch (D-Poplar) and Rep. Gary Sherman (D-Port Wing).

In a press release, Sherman said, "People are routinely assessed the costs of arrest when they are found guilty of an offense. By closing this loophole, we are providing Island residents with needed property tax relief."

Jauch said, "It is only right that these costs be assigned to the responsible party, the individual whose reckless behavior resulted in the arrest. This is a logical modification to current law and it ensures that the county is not unfairly burdened with these expenses."