Rep. Christine Sinicki

Maddy summaryAB 267 requires Wisconsin state parks to waive all daily admission fees (including any issuing fees) on April 22 each year, commemorating Earth Day and its founder, Gaylord Nelson. This policy directly affects all visitors to Wisconsin state parks on April 22, making entry free on that specific date. The bill creates a new statutory provision (27.01(9)(b)) that mandates this automatic fee waiver annually. It does not change existing fee structures outside of Earth Day or create new funding obligations.

Maddy summaryAB 18 creates a fee waiver for Wisconsin state park vehicle admissions for parents or guardians of 4th graders who hold a valid federal Every Kid Outdoors pass. The bill requires vehicle owners to show proof of the child’s pass and their own ownership as a parent/guardian. It waives all fees (including issuing fees) for vehicles with Wisconsin plates, excluding motor buses. This directly affects Wisconsin families with 4th graders who qualify for the federal pass. The policy change simplifies access to state parks for eligible families by removing vehicle admission costs.

Maddy summaryAB 392 creates a state Task Force focused on addressing the crisis of missing and murdered African American women and girls in Wisconsin. The task force will develop recommendations to improve responses, prevention efforts, and support services for this community. The bill includes a funding appropriation to cover the task force’s operational costs. It was introduced by multiple legislators and referred to the Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety for further review.

Maddy summaryAB 402 requires all health insurance plans in Wisconsin to cover maternity and newborn care services. It grants the Commissioner of Insurance authority to create specific rules for implementing this coverage requirement. The bill directly affects health insurance providers and ensures these services are included in standard coverage for policyholders.

Maddy summaryAB 396 establishes procedures for the legislature to appoint legal counsel, specifying how the process will be managed internally. This procedural bill affects the legislative body's internal operations but does not change laws or impact the public. It focuses solely on the mechanics of hiring legal staff, without altering substantive policy or affecting constituents.

Maddy summaryAB 213 prohibits hedge funds managing $50 million or more in assets from acquiring or owning single-family homes in the state. It defines "hedge fund" as investment entities meeting specific criteria (not tax-exempt organizations, managing pooled investor funds). Violations require forfeiting the home to the state, enforced by the attorney general, but only apply to ownership acquired after a future effective date - existing holdings are unaffected. The bill directly affects large hedge funds meeting its financial and structural definition, not all real estate investors.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 8) commemorates the victims of the December 16, 2024, Abundant Life Christian School tragedy in Wisconsin, specifically honoring Erin West and Rubi Vergara who died and supporting the six injured students and staff. It formally sends condolences to their families, expresses ongoing support for the school community, and condemns the violence that caused the tragedy. The resolution calls on Wisconsin residents to unite against all forms of violence but does not create new laws or allocate funding. As a symbolic gesture, it directly affects the Abundant Life Christian School community and all Wisconsin school communities impacted by violence.

Maddy summaryAB 250 allocates $9 million annually from the Veterans Affairs budget to fund war memorials in populous counties. Memorial boards must provide a full matching contribution to request funds, which can cover operations, maintenance, construction, or facility improvements. Boards must report annually to the legislature on fund usage and remaining balances. The bill creates a formal process for memorial boards to access state funding while requiring transparency in how funds are spent.

Maddy summaryAJR 63 is a ceremonial joint resolution that officially designates January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025, as the "Wisconsin State Park System 125th Anniversary." It does not create new laws or policies; instead, it symbolically recognizes the 125th anniversary of Wisconsin's state park system, which began in 1900 with Interstate Park. The resolution highlights the system's role in conservation, recreation (over 20 million annual visits), and economic impact ($11.2 billion GDP, 97,000 jobs), but it has no direct effect on residents, funding, or park operations. As a procedural resolution, it serves only to honor the park system's history and contributions.

Maddy summaryAJR 38 is a ceremonial resolution that proclaims 2025 as the "Year of the Snake" in Wisconsin. It recognizes the cultural significance of the Lunar New Year and the snake symbol in Asian traditions, specifically honoring Asian American communities across the state. The resolution does not create new laws or policies; it is a symbolic gesture to celebrate cultural diversity and community connections. It directly acknowledges Wisconsin's Asian American populations, including long-time residents and recent immigrants, without imposing any requirements or changes.