Travis Tranel, Wisconsin State Representative of 49th District | Official Website
Travis Tranel, Wisconsin State Representative of 49th District | Official Website
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "requiring local approval for certain wind and solar projects before Public Service Commission approval".
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill mandates local approval for wind and solar projects with a capacity of 15 megawatts or more before they can receive a Certificate of Authority or Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity from the Public Service Commission (PSC). It requires project proponents to seek approval from each relevant city, village, or town, which must decide within 90 days through a resolution. If municipalities do not act within this period or the extended time allowed for specific reasons, the project is automatically approved. The bill also removes existing restrictions limiting political subdivisions' ability to regulate solar and wind projects, except procedural requirements for wind projects no longer apply. The PSC is prohibited from issuing certificates unless all involved municipalities adopt resolutions approving the project.
The bill was co-authored by Senator Howard L. Marklein (Republican-17th District), Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), Representative Lindee Rae Brill (Republican-27th District), Representative Alex A. Dallman (Republican-39th District), Representative Barbara Dittrich (Republican-99th District). It was co-sponsored by Senator André Jacque (Republican-1st District), Senator Steve L. Nass (Republican-11th District), and Senator Romaine Robert Quinn (Republican-25th District), along 12 other co-sponsors.
Travis Tranel has authored one other bill since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.
Tranel graduated from Loras College in 2007 with a BA.
Tranel, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2011 to represent the state's 49th Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Phil Garthwaite.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| AB7 | 02/06/2025 | Requiring local approval for certain wind and solar projects before Public Service Commission approval |
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