Rep. Christine Sinicki

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Wisconsin's Special Needs Scholarship Program to require private schools to implement individualized education programs or services plans for students with disabilities, as modified by agreement between the school and the parent. It mandates that private schools provide all records related to these program implementations within five days of receiving a request from the resident school board. The changes take effect starting with the 2026-27 school year, ensuring greater transparency and accountability in how private schools serving students with disabilities manage their educational plans.

Maddy summaryAB 943 creates a new law (Section 941.236) prohibiting people from carrying firearms within 100 feet of polling places during voting hours (one hour before opening to one hour after closing). It directly affects voters, election workers, and anyone near polling locations during elections. The law applies to all individuals except law enforcement officers, qualified out-of-state officers, former officers, property owners on their own land, and security personnel acting in their official duties. Violating this provision is a serious misdemeanor charge.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Civic Information Consortium Board within the University of Wisconsin System to oversee a grant program that supports local journalism and media projects across the state. The board will consist of representatives from the university system, local media organizations covering print, online, radio, and television, and public members, with funding of $20 million initially allocated for grants and operations. The nonprofit corporation established to administer the grants must ensure recipients remain independent from state influence, direct at least 30% of funding to rural communities, and prioritize projects that address underserved populations and improve media literacy. The program aims to strengthen access to quality local news and civic engagement while requiring annual reports on how funds are spent and their impact on the public.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a journalism fellowship program within the University of Wisconsin System to place recent journalism graduates into local newsrooms. The program would establish a selection committee made up of university faculty and journalism industry professionals to review applications from candidates with degrees in journalism, media, or communications. Each year, the program would award 25 one-year fellowships providing $40,000 in salary to selected fellows, with funding appropriated for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years. The bill also authorizes 25 full-time equivalent positions within the university system to administer the program starting July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill would create a tuition exemption for nonresident students attending University of Wisconsin System schools if they meet specific residency and immigration status requirements. To qualify, a student must have lived in Wisconsin for 12 consecutive months before registering for classes and must have approved deferred action status under the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. The exemption applies to students enrolling in the semester or session following the bill's effective date. This legislation is designed to provide financial relief to certain immigrant students by allowing them to pay in-state tuition rates despite not being Wisconsin residents. The bill was introduced in March 2026 and referred to the Committee on Colleges and Universities for review.

Maddy summaryAB 847 creates a state grant program providing $1.6 million annually to counties and tribes for mental health diversion programs. These programs offer alternatives to prosecution and incarceration for low-to-medium risk individuals with mental illness who interact with the criminal justice system, including deferred prosecution and restorative justice services. Eligible programs must provide holistic treatment (mental health care, housing, employment support), avoid including violent offenders, and collaborate with courts, prosecutors, and mental health providers. Counties receiving grants must submit annual reports on program impact, including effects on jail populations and participant outcomes, and comply with state audits. The bill aims to reduce incarceration costs, improve public safety, and address mental health needs through evidence-based approaches.

Maddy summaryAB 1060 allocates $450,000 annually for two fiscal years (2025-26 and 2026-27) to fund falls prevention awareness and initiatives in Wisconsin. The bill directs the Department of Health Services to award this grant specifically to the Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging. This funding supports statewide programs aimed at reducing fall-related injuries, primarily affecting older adults in the state. The bill makes a concrete budget adjustment to enable this grant without altering existing health service programs.

Maddy summaryAB 1022 establishes a "baby bond program" that creates a state trust fund to provide financial support for newborns. The bill requires sharing birth record information (excluding Social Security numbers) with the Department of Financial Institutions, which opens a baby bond account for each eligible child at birth. Funds in the account can be used later for specific eligible expenses like postsecondary education, home purchases, business startup, or retirement savings (as defined in §224.58). The program is funded through an annual $150,000 state appropriation, donations, and investment earnings from the baby bond fund. It directly affects all newborns in the state whose birth records are processed under the new requirements.

Maddy summaryAB 790 creates a dedicated "Water Fund for Our Future" with an initial $250 million transfer from the general fund. The fund establishes a rapid response account to cover clean water-related costs during natural disasters or public health emergencies, including remediation and assistance for affected individuals. A new joint committee oversees fund spending, reviewing requests for funding (excluding non-clean-water uses) and recommending approvals to the finance committee. All funds must be used exclusively for clean water activities, with specific rules for disbursement and oversight.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires motorboats with enclosed living spaces to be equipped with carbon monoxide detection systems and warning stickers to protect occupants from dangerous gas exposure. It mandates that the state provide free safety information and stickers when registering cabin motorboats, while also requiring dealers to ensure new boats meet these safety standards before sale. The legislation establishes specific penalties for operating or selling non-compliant boats, with fines up to $500 for first offenses and up to $300 for repeat violations. These rules apply to boats sold, registered, or operated on the bill's effective date.