The new bill authored by State Rep. Tony Kurtz seeks to establish a grant program assisting small political subdivisions with grant writing and compliance support, according to the Wisconsin State Assembly.
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature’s official website, the bill was described as follows: “local grant writing and compliance assistance. (FE)”.
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, the bill requires the Wisconsin Department of Revenue to establish a program from 2026 through 2029 that provides grants of up to $5,000 to political subdivisions with populations under 7,500 for grant writing and compliance assistance. These grants are to support applications related to public works, transportation infrastructure, public safety, utility costs, and cybersecurity. The program mandates the use of a simple, accessible application process that considers factors like applicant identity, contact information, and project specifics. It prioritizes subdivisions that have not received previous grants under this initiative. The department must report on the program’s efficacy by Dec. 31, 2028.
The bill was co-authored by Senator Howard L. Marklein (Republican-17th District), Representative David Armstrong (Republican-67th District), Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), Representative Lindee Rae Brill (Republican-27th District), Representative Calvin T. Callahan (Republican-35th District). It was co-sponsored by Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara (Republican-19th District), Senator Jesse L. James (Republican-23rd District), and Senator Brad Pfaff (Democrat-32nd District), along 14 other co-sponsors.
Tony Kurtz has authored or co-authored another 27 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with all of them being adopted.
Kurtz graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1989 with a BS.
Kurtz, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2025 to represent the state’s 41st Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Alex Dallman.
In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| AB326 | 07/08/2025 | Local grant writing and compliance assistance. (FE) |
| AB315 | 06/09/2025 | The Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship 2000 program and a major land acquisitions program. (FE) |
| AB257 | 05/12/2025 | Advanced practice registered nurses, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority. (FE) |
| AB250 | 05/08/2025 | Funding for the War Memorial Center and making an appropriation. (FE) |
| AB234 | 05/02/2025 | The electronic vaping device directory and electronic nicotine devices. (FE) |
| AB199 | 04/15/2025 | Reimbursement of emergency services under the Medical Assistance program when a patient is not transported, reporting on changes to the scope of practice of emergency medical responders and emergency medical services practitioners, and eligibility for the expenditure restraint incentive program. (FE) |
| AB198 | 04/15/2025 | Emergency medical services education, tuition and materials reimbursement for emergency medical responders and emergency medical services practitioners, and a live 911 pilot program. (FE) |
| AB197 | 04/15/2025 | A levy limit exemption for regional emergency medical systems and eligibility for the expenditure restraint incentive program. (FE) |
| AB155 | 04/02/2025 | Designating the Tom Diehl Memorial Highway. (FE) |
| AB137 | 03/13/2025 | Maximum life and allocation period for Tax Incremental District Number 9 in the village of DeForest and the total value of taxable property that may be included in tax incremental financing districts created in the village of DeForest. (FE) |
| AB22 | 02/06/2025 | Limitations on the total value of taxable property that may be included in, and the lifespan of, a tax incremental financing district created in the city of Middleton. (FE) |
