Quantcast

SW Wisconsin News

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Sen. Marklein authors Wisconsin Senate bill for local grant assistance program

Webp 3p5sft4pogiaz6xoadrqu0278487

Howard L. Marklein, Wisconsin State Senator for 17th District | Facebook

Howard L. Marklein, Wisconsin State Senator for 17th District | Facebook

The new bill authored by State Sen. Howard L. Marklein seeks to establish a program to help local governments access grants for public services and infrastructure projects, according to the Wisconsin State Senate.

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, this bill mandates the Wisconsin Department of Revenue to establish a local grant writing and compliance assistance program from 2026 to 2029, offering up to $5,000 annually to political subdivisions with populations under 7,500. These grants are aimed at acquiring services specifically linked to public works, transportation infrastructure, public safety, utility service, and cybersecurity. The department must provide an accessible application process and prioritize grants for subdivisions that have not previously received funding. A comprehensive evaluation report on the program's effectiveness is due by Dec. 31, 2028.

The bill was co-authored by Representative Tony Kurtz (Republican-41st District), Senator Sarah Keyeski (Democrat-14th District), Senator Brad Pfaff (Democrat-32nd District), Senator Mark Spreitzer (Democrat-15th District), Senator Jesse L. James (Republican-23rd District). It was co-sponsored by Representative David Armstrong (Republican-67th District), Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), and Representative Lindee Rae Brill (Republican-27th District), along 16 other co-sponsors.

Howard L. Marklein has authored or co-authored another 49 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with all of them being adopted.

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.

Bills Introduced by Howard L. Marklein in Wisconsin Senate During 2025 Regular Session

Bill NumberDate IntroducedShort Description
SB33706/19/2025Local grant writing and compliance assistance. (FE)
SB33106/19/2025Operation of all-terrain and utility terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles, and snowmobiles and revision of the Department of Transportation highway maintenance manual
SB29105/30/2025Making certain child care expenditures eligible for the business development tax credit. (FE)
SB28605/30/2025Workforce housing and childcare awards under the business development tax credit. (FE)
SB23605/09/2025Tampering with telecommunication or electric wires and providing a penalty
SB22604/25/2025Determination of where a defendant resides or does substantial business for purposes of venue
SB22104/25/2025All-terrain vehicles and utility terrain vehicles with out-of-state registrations
SB22004/25/2025Residency requirements for persons circulating nomination papers or recall petitions
SB20304/16/2025Regulation of pharmacy benefit managers, fiduciary and disclosure requirements on pharmacy benefit managers, and application of prescription drug payments to health insurance cost-sharing requirements. (FE)
SB18304/14/2025Reimbursement 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)
SB18204/14/2025Emergency medical services education, tuition and materials reimbursement for emergency medical responders and emergency medical services practitioners, and a live 911 pilot program. (FE)
SB18104/14/2025A levy limit exemption for regional emergency medical systems and eligibility for the expenditure restraint incentive program. (FE)
SB17204/03/2025Prohibiting filing or recording contracts for services or materials that do not improve real estate and providing a penalty. (FE)
SB17004/03/2025Rehired annuitants in the Wisconsin Retirement System. (FE)
SB16804/03/2025Changing 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)
SB16003/27/2025Designating the Tom Diehl Memorial Highway. (FE)
SB12603/14/2025The effective date of certain provisions contained in 2023 Wisconsin Act 126

MORE NEWS