Howard L. Marklein, Wisconsin State Senator for 17th District | Facebook
Howard L. Marklein, Wisconsin State Senator for 17th District | Facebook
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), and 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 with 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.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| SB337 | 06/19/2025 | Local grant writing and compliance assistance. (FE) |
| SB331 | 06/19/2025 | Operation of all-terrain and utility terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles, and snowmobiles and revision of the Department of Transportation highway maintenance manual |
| SB291 | 05/30/2025 | Making certain child care expenditures eligible for the business development tax credit. (FE) |
| SB286 | 05/30/2025 | Workforce housing and childcare awards under the business development tax credit. (FE) |
| SB236 | 05/09/2025 | Tampering with telecommunication or electric wires and providing a penalty |
| SB226 | 04/25/2025 | Determination of where a defendant resides or does substantial business for purposes of venue |
| SB221 | 04/25/2025 | All-terrain vehicles and utility terrain vehicles with out-of-state registrations |
| SB220 | 04/25/2025 | Residency requirements for persons circulating nomination papers or recall petitions |
| SB203 | 04/16/2025 | Regulation 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) |
| SB183 | 04/14/2025 | 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) |
| SB182 | 04/14/2025 | Emergency medical services education, tuition and materials reimbursement for emergency medical responders and emergency medical services practitioners, and a live 911 pilot program. (FE) |
| SB181 | 04/14/2025 | A levy limit exemption for regional emergency medical systems and eligibility for the expenditure restraint incentive program. (FE) |
| SB172 | 04/03/2025 | Prohibiting filing or recording contracts for services or materials that do not improve real estate and providing a penalty. (FE) |
| 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 |
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