I am proud to report that 67 percent of bills I authored and co-authored during the 2015-2016 legislative session were signed into law. This accounts for 30 bills out of 45 total that passed through both houses of the legislature and were signed into law by Gov. Scott Walker.
In the state senate, we have been one of the most productive offices in getting bills passed and signed into law. Individual legislators dictate how many bills they put out each session. Some put out as few as four or five, others circulate upwards of 50 or 60 bills. The passage of these bills depends largely on how effective these legislators can be at convincing colleagues and the governor that they are good bills. A piece of legislation can "die" fairly easily at any stage in the process for any reason. Some legislators have only had one or two bills signed while others have had a higher rate of success.
I owe a debt of gratitude to the many individuals, community leaders, business owners and others who brought ideas and concerns to me for action. I often say that the best legislation comes from the people in our state who are growing businesses, running towns and are engaged in the day-to-day life of our communities. Ideas born from experiences and challenges make the best proposals because they solve real problems, offer effective solutions and have wide-spread statewide support.
Following is a snapshot of the legislation we passed this session.
Bills initiated by residents of the 17th Senate District - 10 Bills
1. AB 335/SB 252/Act 61-Cassville Utility Aid: Initiated by the community of Cassville, which addressed a drastic reduction in state aid to the village because of the closure of two power plants in Cassville.
2. AB 119/SB 93/Act 93 - Anti-steering for motor vehicle repairs: Initiated by Art Krolikowski from Reedsburg Auto Body on behalf of the Wisconsin Auto Collision Technicians Association.
3. AB 249/SB 182/Act 26 - Out-of-state ambulatory services: Initiated by the residents of the Town of Gratiot and rural Lafayette County.
4. AB 320/SB 236/Act 62 - Wine Walks: Initiated by Kari Walker from the Touchdown Tavern and the Reedsburg Downtown Association in conjunction with business leaders from Baraboo.
5. AB 341/SB 256/Act 311 - Making a terrorist threat: Initiated by Chief Tim Becker and Lt. Darrin Frye of the Reedsburg Police Department.
6. AB 451/SB 379/Act 139 - Right-of-way in roundabouts: Initiated by Skinner Transfer in Reedsburg.
7. AB 522/SB 389/Act 164 - Probation & Parole reimbursements: Initiated by Grant County Sheriff Nate Dreckman, Juneau County Sheriff Brent Oleson and Lafayette County Sheriff Reg Gill on behalf of Wisconsin Sheriff's Association.
8. AB 512/SB 384/Act 270 - Frank Lloyd Wright Trail: Initiated by Wright in Wisconsin, a group of Frank Lloyd Wright enthusiasts.
9. AB 765/SB 628/Act 287 - Collection of Health Care Information: Initiated by Nicole Clapp, CEO of the Grant County Healthcare Center, on behalf of the Wisconsin Hospitals Association.
10. AB 771/Act 271 - Lafayette County Drug Enforcement Grant: Initiated by Lafayette County Sheriff Reg Gill.
11. AB 820/SB 699/Act 278 - Broadband Forward.: Initiated by the small, rural communities of southwest Wisconsin.
12. AB 337/SB 249/Act 165 - Headlights in inclement weather: Initiated by a constituent concerned with safety on our roadways
Bills related to taxes and finance - 12 Bills
1. AB 23/SB 103/Act 120 - Verbal Contracts
2. AB 167/SB 130/Budget - Tax deduction for Educators
3. AB 313/SB 227/Act 126 - Construction materials tax exemption
4. AB 405/SB 334/Act 84 - Tax exemption for declaration of emergency
5. AB 459/SB 314/Act 219 - Adverse possession
6. AB 595/SB 440/Act 216 - Department of Revenue tax administrative changes
7. AB 623/SB 503/Act 218 - Tax fairness changes
8. AB 725/SB 532/Act 217 - CPA licensing rules and continuing education
9. AB 721/SB 603/Act 309 - US Savings Bonds
10. AB 236/SB 165/Budget - Creation of WI ABLE Accounts
11. AB 731/SB 604/Act 312 - Repeal of WI ABLE Accounts, create nationwide option
12. AB 778/SB 631/Act 163 - Department of Financial Institutions administrative changes
Bills related to the College Affordability Bill Package - Three Bills
1. AB 744/SB 595/Act 284 - Financial literacy letters.
2. AB 742/SB 594/Act 283 - Department of Workforce Development Internship Staff
3. AB 741/SB 592/Act 282 - Emergency Micro-grants
Bills related to transportation, veterans and other issues - Five Bills
1. AB 199/SB 137/Act 79 - Publication of legal notices
2. AB 441/SB 339/Act TBD - Wisconsin Veterans Employment Initiative
3. AB 760/SB 584/Act 310 - DATCP Reimbursement
4. AB 856/SB 687/Act 215 - Managed Care Organizations & Long Term Care initiative
Again, I am honored to work on behalf of the 17th Senate District to advance legislation that makes a positive difference in the lives of the people who live in Wisconsin. I am also privileged to be able to work with engaged, intelligent people who are willing to contribute to the legislative process in a meaningful way.
Throughout the next nine months, I look forward to planning ahead for the next session so that the 17th Senate District will be well represented and that more good ideas will work through the legislative process.
For more information and to connect with me, visit my website legis.wisconsin.gov/senate/17/marklein and subscribe to my weekly E-Update by sending an email to Sen.Marklein@legis.wisconsin.gov. Do not hesitate to call 800-978-8008 if you have any questions or need assistance with any state-related matters.
- Sen. Howard Marklein represents Wisconsin's 17th Senate District. His column is published Mondays in the Times.
In the state senate, we have been one of the most productive offices in getting bills passed and signed into law. Individual legislators dictate how many bills they put out each session. Some put out as few as four or five, others circulate upwards of 50 or 60 bills. The passage of these bills depends largely on how effective these legislators can be at convincing colleagues and the governor that they are good bills. A piece of legislation can "die" fairly easily at any stage in the process for any reason. Some legislators have only had one or two bills signed while others have had a higher rate of success.
I owe a debt of gratitude to the many individuals, community leaders, business owners and others who brought ideas and concerns to me for action. I often say that the best legislation comes from the people in our state who are growing businesses, running towns and are engaged in the day-to-day life of our communities. Ideas born from experiences and challenges make the best proposals because they solve real problems, offer effective solutions and have wide-spread statewide support.
Following is a snapshot of the legislation we passed this session.
Bills initiated by residents of the 17th Senate District - 10 Bills
1. AB 335/SB 252/Act 61-Cassville Utility Aid: Initiated by the community of Cassville, which addressed a drastic reduction in state aid to the village because of the closure of two power plants in Cassville.
2. AB 119/SB 93/Act 93 - Anti-steering for motor vehicle repairs: Initiated by Art Krolikowski from Reedsburg Auto Body on behalf of the Wisconsin Auto Collision Technicians Association.
3. AB 249/SB 182/Act 26 - Out-of-state ambulatory services: Initiated by the residents of the Town of Gratiot and rural Lafayette County.
4. AB 320/SB 236/Act 62 - Wine Walks: Initiated by Kari Walker from the Touchdown Tavern and the Reedsburg Downtown Association in conjunction with business leaders from Baraboo.
5. AB 341/SB 256/Act 311 - Making a terrorist threat: Initiated by Chief Tim Becker and Lt. Darrin Frye of the Reedsburg Police Department.
6. AB 451/SB 379/Act 139 - Right-of-way in roundabouts: Initiated by Skinner Transfer in Reedsburg.
7. AB 522/SB 389/Act 164 - Probation & Parole reimbursements: Initiated by Grant County Sheriff Nate Dreckman, Juneau County Sheriff Brent Oleson and Lafayette County Sheriff Reg Gill on behalf of Wisconsin Sheriff's Association.
8. AB 512/SB 384/Act 270 - Frank Lloyd Wright Trail: Initiated by Wright in Wisconsin, a group of Frank Lloyd Wright enthusiasts.
9. AB 765/SB 628/Act 287 - Collection of Health Care Information: Initiated by Nicole Clapp, CEO of the Grant County Healthcare Center, on behalf of the Wisconsin Hospitals Association.
10. AB 771/Act 271 - Lafayette County Drug Enforcement Grant: Initiated by Lafayette County Sheriff Reg Gill.
11. AB 820/SB 699/Act 278 - Broadband Forward.: Initiated by the small, rural communities of southwest Wisconsin.
12. AB 337/SB 249/Act 165 - Headlights in inclement weather: Initiated by a constituent concerned with safety on our roadways
Bills related to taxes and finance - 12 Bills
1. AB 23/SB 103/Act 120 - Verbal Contracts
2. AB 167/SB 130/Budget - Tax deduction for Educators
3. AB 313/SB 227/Act 126 - Construction materials tax exemption
4. AB 405/SB 334/Act 84 - Tax exemption for declaration of emergency
5. AB 459/SB 314/Act 219 - Adverse possession
6. AB 595/SB 440/Act 216 - Department of Revenue tax administrative changes
7. AB 623/SB 503/Act 218 - Tax fairness changes
8. AB 725/SB 532/Act 217 - CPA licensing rules and continuing education
9. AB 721/SB 603/Act 309 - US Savings Bonds
10. AB 236/SB 165/Budget - Creation of WI ABLE Accounts
11. AB 731/SB 604/Act 312 - Repeal of WI ABLE Accounts, create nationwide option
12. AB 778/SB 631/Act 163 - Department of Financial Institutions administrative changes
Bills related to the College Affordability Bill Package - Three Bills
1. AB 744/SB 595/Act 284 - Financial literacy letters.
2. AB 742/SB 594/Act 283 - Department of Workforce Development Internship Staff
3. AB 741/SB 592/Act 282 - Emergency Micro-grants
Bills related to transportation, veterans and other issues - Five Bills
1. AB 199/SB 137/Act 79 - Publication of legal notices
2. AB 441/SB 339/Act TBD - Wisconsin Veterans Employment Initiative
3. AB 760/SB 584/Act 310 - DATCP Reimbursement
4. AB 856/SB 687/Act 215 - Managed Care Organizations & Long Term Care initiative
Again, I am honored to work on behalf of the 17th Senate District to advance legislation that makes a positive difference in the lives of the people who live in Wisconsin. I am also privileged to be able to work with engaged, intelligent people who are willing to contribute to the legislative process in a meaningful way.
Throughout the next nine months, I look forward to planning ahead for the next session so that the 17th Senate District will be well represented and that more good ideas will work through the legislative process.
For more information and to connect with me, visit my website legis.wisconsin.gov/senate/17/marklein and subscribe to my weekly E-Update by sending an email to Sen.Marklein@legis.wisconsin.gov. Do not hesitate to call 800-978-8008 if you have any questions or need assistance with any state-related matters.
- Sen. Howard Marklein represents Wisconsin's 17th Senate District. His column is published Mondays in the Times.
