Howard Marklein Wisconsin State Senator (District 17) | Official Facebook
Howard Marklein Wisconsin State Senator (District 17) | Official Facebook
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "rehired annuitants in the Wisconsin Retirement System. (FE)".
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill amends rules related to rehired annuitants in the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS). It allows retirees who are re-employed by a WRS-participating employer to continue receiving their annuity for up to 60 months, rather than having to suspend it. Employers must make contributions to the Employer Trust Fund as if these annuitants had suspended their annuity, with payments going into the employer reserve account. The bill also stipulates that if an annuitant remains a non-active WRS participant, they are not eligible for group insurance benefits or accumulate additional service credits. Should they opt to become active participants again, full benefits and further service credits are available. Additionally, it repeals obsolete provisions related to the public health emergency announced on March 12, 2020.
The bill was co-authored by Representative Robert Wittke (Republican-63rd District), Senator Dan Feyen (Republican-20th District), Senator Jodi Habush Sinykin (Democrat-8th District), Senator Sarah Keyeski (Democrat-14th District), and Senator Brad Pfaff (Democrat-32nd District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Robert Brooks (Republican-59th District), Representative Jenna Jacobson (Democrat-50th District), and Representative Joel Kitchens (Republican-1st District), along with 14 other co-sponsors.
Howard L. Marklein has authored or co-authored another 18 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.
Marklein graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater in 1976 with a BBA.
Marklein, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2015 to represent the state's 17th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Dale Schultz.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| SB170 | 04/03/2025 | Rehired annuitants in the Wisconsin Retirement System. (FE) |
| SB168 | 04/03/2025 | Changing the conditions of liability for worker’s compensation benefits for emergency medical responders, emergency medical services practitioners, volunteer firefighters, correctional officers, emergency dispatchers, coroners and coroner staff, and medical examiners and medical examiner staff. (FE) |
| SB160 | 03/27/2025 | Designating the Tom Diehl Memorial Highway. (FE) |
| SB126 | 03/14/2025 | The effective date of certain provisions contained in 2023 Wisconsin Act 126 |
| SB96 | 03/07/2025 | Exempting certain electric vehicle charging stations located at a residence from the electric vehicle charging tax. (FE) |
| SB84 | 02/26/2025 | Exempting certain conveyances between grandparents and grandchildren from the real estate transfer fee. (FE) |
| SB3 | 01/24/2025 | Requiring local approval for certain wind and solar projects before Public Service Commission approval |
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