Rep. Christine Sinicki

Maddy summaryAB 1053 ensures that children in out-of-home care (like foster care) retain control over their state or federal benefits. It requires child welfare departments to hold these benefits in protected accounts that won’t reduce other benefits, provide regular financial reports to the child and their legal representatives, and return any remaining funds when the child leaves care. The bill explicitly prohibits using a child’s benefits to cover their care costs. This policy change directly affects children in state custody and their legal representatives, focusing on financial accountability and preserving benefits for the child’s future.

Maddy summaryAB 1057 requires landlords to offer residential tenants the option to have their on-time rent payments reported to credit bureaus. Landlords must provide this opt-in offer at lease signing and annually thereafter, with tenants able to accept or decline without penalty. Landlords may charge up to $10 monthly (or actual cost) for this service but cannot report payment of the fee as rent or use it to evict tenants. Tenants can stop reporting at any time but must wait six months to restart the reporting. The bill specifically covers only positive payment history (timely rent), not late payments.

Maddy summaryAB 1067 requires broadband providers to advertise and sell services based on consistent, verifiable speeds - minimum 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload - matching federal standards. It mandates standardized broadband labels using FCC templates for all consumers before sale, preventing misleading speed claims. Providers violating these rules face consumer refunds if they fail to correct misrepresentations within a month of written notice. The bill directly affects broadband companies and protects consumers by ensuring accurate speed disclosures.

Maddy summaryAB 1064 prohibits landlords from charging prospective tenants application fees or requiring tenants to pay for credit or background checks. Landlords may charge up to $25 for these reports but must provide a copy within 7 business days. Tenants can avoid these fees by providing their own recent credit report (less than 30 days old) or background check (less than 6 months old) before the landlord requests one. The bill takes effect 3 months after publication.

Maddy summaryAB 1069 establishes a legislative study committee to examine requirements for a "Dig Once Law," which would mandate installing empty underground pipes (conduit) during infrastructure projects to prepare for future fiber-optic internet expansion. The committee will study key details like communication protocols between municipalities and contractors, ownership of unused conduit, maintenance cost responsibilities, conduit sizing for multiple providers, and optimal installation timing (e.g., during road construction). This bill does not enact new law but prepares recommendations for potential future legislation. It directly affects municipalities, construction firms, and future internet service providers by identifying implementation challenges. The committee must submit findings by January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryAB 1080 establishes new safety regulations for trampoline parks in the state. It requires operators to obtain an annual license, maintain $1 million in liability insurance, and follow specific safety standards - including proper signage, staff certification in first aid/CPR, equipment maintenance, and injury reporting. The bill exempts school playgrounds (if incidental and not fee-based), training facilities (like gymnastics studios with 80% instructional revenue), and inflatable bounce houses used exclusively for exercise. These rules apply directly to commercial trampoline park operators, not to facilities covered by the exemptions.

Maddy summaryAB 1048 repeals statute 66.0104, which governed local regulations of landlords. This procedural bill removes an existing legal provision without creating new rules or directly affecting landlords, tenants, or local governments. It was introduced by multiple legislators and referred to the Housing Committee. The bill's sole action is eliminating the referenced statute from the code.

Maddy summaryAB 1090 establishes a statewide policy to prevent and end homelessness, requiring specific strategies for older adults. It creates a property tax credit for Wisconsin seniors aged 65 or older who own their primary home, allowing them to claim a credit equal to the increase in their annual property taxes compared to the previous year. The credit is funded through a state appropriation, with eligibility limited to full-time homeowners who file tax claims, excluding part-year residents and nonresidents. The bill also amends statutes to integrate this credit into the state’s tax code under section 71.07(8d).

Maddy summaryAB 1046 changes the composition of the Cosmetology Examining Board by specifying that its nine members must include four licensed aestheticians or cosmetologists, one public member, one private school representative, one public school representative, one licensed electrologist, and one licensed manicurist. The bill also limits board members with financial ties to cosmetology schools to no more than four. It includes special provisions allowing the governor to provisionally appoint the initial manicurist member until confirmed by the Senate, with that member serving until July 1, 2028. This bill directly affects the makeup and appointment process of the state board overseeing cosmetology licensing.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Wisconsin's Medicaid program (Medical Assistance) to reimburse providers for maternal mental health screenings during pregnancy. It also mandates that all health insurance plans covering maternity must include these screenings as a standard benefit, with no cost to the patient. The law specifies that screenings can be provided by licensed midwives, nurse-midwives, or other qualified healthcare providers. It includes a requirement for the state to develop screening standards in consultation with organizations led by Black, Indigenous, and other people of color. Coverage requirements will take effect for most plans starting September 1, 2026.