Capitol Update
by Senator Howard Marklein
October 29, 2021
Session Day Summary
Seven bills pass Senate, two bills move to Governor for signature
The Senate was in session on Monday, October 25, 2021, and the Assembly was in session on Tuesday, October 26, 2021. Nine bills I authored moved through the legislative process with two bills now bound for the Governor’s signature.
Seven of my bills passed the State Senate. These bills include legislation to delete obsolete tax credits from state statute, five bills that are part of the Sporting Freedom package and a resolution to celebrate the 185th Anniversary of Wisconsin’s First Territorial Legislature in Belmont.
For the last two sessions, I have authored legislation to repeal obsolete tax credits. Over the last five legislative sessions, 1,060 pages of new laws were created and added to the current 7,749 pages of the Wisconsin State Statutes. These statutes are updated every two years and are published in six printed volumes. In an effort to keep an orderly and updated set of statutes, this bill will eliminate 14 pages of statutes by removing language associated with six tax credits that are no longer valid.
The repeal of these tax credits will have no impact on any claimant’s eligibility for these credits. All six of these credits have been sunset. They are no longer valid. My legislation simply cleans up state statute.
In addition to obsolete tax credits, my bills related to sporting freedom were passed. These include simplifying the turkey hunting seasons, reducing the number of hunting and fishing licenses, improving access to public lands, placing dog training licenses on the gowild.com system and requiring a report for ways the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) may partner with Wisconsin’s private aquaculture industry.
As the Sporting Freedom package moves through the legislative process, it is important to note that I have registered my opposition to Senate Bill 620 which would create a hunting season for sandhill cranes. I have told the bill’s author, and my legislative colleagues, that I am a “no” vote on this issue.
Finally, the Senate passed Senate Joint Resolution 65 to celebrate the 185th Anniversary of the first meeting of Wisconsin’s territorial legislature in Belmont. Representative Todd Novak (Dodgeville) and I authored this bill to recognize this historic event that occurred on October 25, 1836. Legislators across the Wisconsin Territory traveled to the Town of Belmont to convene the first territorial legislature. Governor Henry Dodge, who was appointed by President Andrew Jackson to be the Governor of the Wisconsin Territory, honored the Town of Belmont as the temporary seat of government.
The first territorial legislature passed 42 acts into law and marked the beginning of what has been a robust tradition of legislating in Wisconsin. SJR 65 honors this meaningful event in our state’s history.
On Tuesday, October 26, 2021, the State Assembly passed two more pieces of legislation I authored relating to designating State Highway 21 as a Purple Heart Highway and unregistered vehicles during a state of emergency. These two bills now move to the Governor’s desk for signature.
Representative Tony Kurtz (R-Wonewoc) and I have invited the Governor to sign Senate Bill (SB) 345 – the Purple Heart Highway bill – in Necedah on Veterans Day. We think this would be a terrific way to recognize and celebrate the service of veterans throughout Wisconsin. We hope he will take us up on our invitation!
It was a very productive week and I am encouraged by my colleagues’ support for my work on your behalf.
For more information and to connect with me, visit my website http://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 input, ideas or need assistance with any state-related matters.
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