Rep. Shae Sortwell

Maddy summaryAB 448 allows eligible nonprofit agricultural organizations (specifically, long-standing, member-directed cooperatives established before 1922 and meeting IRS 501(c)(5) requirements) to provide health benefit coverage exclusively to their members and members' families. Key provisions require these organizations to offer coverage in all state counties, provide written notice clarifying this is not health insurance, cover all physician services without preexisting condition exclusions beyond six months, and maintain sufficient financial reserves via annual actuarial reviews. The bill also mandates reinsurance with state-authorized companies and establishes complaint resolution processes mirroring those for standard health insurance. This framework directly affects qualifying agricultural co-ops and their members, creating a regulated pathway for member-only health benefits while ensuring basic consumer protections.

Maddy summaryAB 178 creates a new state grant program to fund county and tribal programs that offer treatment alternatives to jail for people facing criminal charges related to substance use or mental health issues. It requires these programs to use evidence-based treatment, integrate mental health services, and include graduated incentives for participants. The bill directly affects criminal defendants with substance use disorders or mental illness who qualify for these programs, as well as counties and tribes receiving grants. Key provisions include mandating collaboration between courts, prosecutors, public defenders, and health agencies to develop and oversee the programs, while exempting participants in approved programs from losing good time credit in jail.

Maddy summaryAB 7 requires local governments (cities, villages, or towns) to approve large-scale wind and solar projects (15 megawatts or more) before the Public Service Commission can approve them. Developers must seek municipal approval, which must be granted or denied within 90 days (with possible 90-day extensions for specific reasons). If a municipality fails to act within the deadline, the project is automatically approved. This bill directly affects renewable energy developers and local governments, shifting approval authority to municipalities for qualifying projects.

Maddy summaryAB 405 requires public schools in Wisconsin to include specific instruction on pregnancy, prenatal development, and childbirth within existing human growth and development curriculum. It directly affects K-12 students and educators by mandating these topics be taught as part of standard health education. The bill amends current curriculum standards to ensure this content is integrated into required instructional programs. This is a substantive policy change to educational content, not a procedural or commemorative measure.

Maddy summaryAB 148 allows courts to permit interpreters to provide services remotely via telephone or live video in civil and criminal court proceedings (excluding trials), upon a party's request. This amendment updates statutes to explicitly include remote interpretation as an option for civil cases (via 807.14) and criminal cases (via 967.09), replacing previous restrictions. It directly affects individuals involved in court cases who require language assistance, making it easier to access interpreters without in-person attendance. The bill does not mandate remote interpretation but expands court flexibility in approving it. This change applies to all relevant civil and criminal proceedings where an interpreter is requested.

Maddy summaryAB 278 creates a grant program for law enforcement agencies to purchase data-sharing platforms that integrate real-time data from multiple systems, eliminate duplicate records, and provide secure, customizable search and analytics tools. The bill specifies that platforms must meet 11 detailed requirements, including secure access controls, compatibility with existing systems, compliance with data security standards, and retention of agency data ownership. The Department of Justice will award grants using up to $2 million annually from state funds to support this initiative. This bill directly affects local and state law enforcement agencies seeking to upgrade their data-sharing capabilities.

Maddy summaryAB 442 changes the earliest date nomination papers can be circulated for local spring elections from December 1 to November 16. It affects towns and villages holding spring elections for offices like town council or village board. The bill adjusts the filing deadline for nomination papers to 5 p.m. on the first Tuesday in January (or the next business day if Tuesday is a holiday). This update applies to all relevant local election statutes covering nomination processes and vacancy procedures.

Maddy summaryAB 353 requires hospitals to provide clear, upfront pricing for services and restricts certain aggressive debt collection tactics against patients. It directly affects hospitals by mandating transparent cost disclosures and patients by limiting how debt collectors can pursue unpaid medical bills. Key provisions include requiring hospitals to publish standard charges and prohibiting collectors from garnishing wages or threatening lawsuits for small amounts. The bill also establishes penalties for violations of these transparency and debt collection rules. This legislation aims to make healthcare costs more understandable and protect patients from excessive collection practices.

Maddy summaryAB 486 limits how Wisconsin public colleges and technical schools can reduce their own gift aid (like institutional scholarships) when students receive small private scholarships ($5,000 or less from Wisconsin-based groups). Schools must first attempt to adjust loans or work-study before cutting gift aid, and must inform students they can request a cost-of-attendance reassessment. This applies to all public universities and technical colleges in Wisconsin, ensuring students aren’t automatically penalized for external scholarships while preventing aid from exceeding financial need.

Maddy summaryAB 398 requires schools, child care centers, and nursery schools to include specific information about immunization waiver processes in their enrollment or admission materials. This means parents and guardians would see clear details on how to request waivers when signing up their children, rather than learning about it later. The bill standardizes this information across all covered institutions to improve transparency. It directly affects families during enrollment and the institutions managing those applications.