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: "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, the bill requires that local approval be obtained for certain wind and solar energy projects before the Public Service Commission (PSC) can issue necessary permits. Specifically, any solar or wind project designed for nominal operation at a capacity of 15 megawatts or more must receive approval from each city, village, or town where the project is located. Local governments have 90 days to approve or disapprove the project once a request is submitted, and failure to act within this period results in the project's automatic approval. This deadline may be extended under certain conditions but cannot exceed an additional 90 days. This bill removes existing limitations on local authority over wind and solar projects, overriding current restrictions that prevent political subdivisions from imposing more stringent regulations than state rules. It also exempts these projects from specific procedural requirements typically applied to wind energy approvals.
The bill was co-authored by Representative Travis Tranel (Republican-49th District), Senator André Jacque (Republican-1st District), Senator Steve L. Nass (Republican-11th District), Senator Romaine Robert Quinn (Republican-25th District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), Representative Lindee Rae Brill (Republican-27th District), and Representative Alex A. Dallman (Republican-39th District), along 13 other co-sponsors.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| SB3 | 01/24/2025 | Requiring local approval for certain wind and solar projects before Public Service Commission approval |
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