Rep. Joe Sheehan

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a tuition loan program for Wisconsin residents enrolled in higher education who commit to working full-time in teaching, firefighting, or law enforcement for at least 10 years after completing their training. The program provides loans covering total tuition costs for up to four years of undergraduate study at University of Wisconsin System institutions or two years at technical colleges, with funds allocated equally among the three career fields. Eligible students must maintain satisfactory academic progress, apply annually, and repay loans at a 5 percent annual interest rate, though repayment is deferred while they work in their chosen profession and 50 to 100 percent of the loan is forgiven if they remain in the state and profession for seven or ten years respectively. The bill also grants the Higher Educational Aids Board authority to create rules for administering the program and includes a $1.5 million appropriation for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits employers from including clauses in employment contracts that prevent former employees from recruiting other current or former employees after leaving their job. It applies to all workers, including assistants, servants, employees, and agents, and declares such nonsolicitation provisions illegal and unenforceable as unreasonable restraints on trade. Employers must post a notice in conspicuous locations and on their websites explaining that these post-employment recruitment restrictions are void. The law takes effect for any employment contract that is entered into, extended, modified, or renewed on the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a joint resolution that designates April 2026 as Family Strengthening Month in Wisconsin. It directly affects the state legislature, which would officially proclaim the month to raise awareness about preventing child abuse and neglect. The resolution highlights the importance of building family protective factors like parental resilience and social connections to support children and communities. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of the state's commitment to family support. The bill is procedural in nature and does not change any existing policies or programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school boards to pay teachers for time spent on nonclassroom duties, such as grading, planning, or administrative tasks, rather than expecting this work to be done without compensation. The key provision states that no school board can require teachers to perform services outside regular classroom instruction unless they are compensated for that time. The law applies to all teachers affected by collective bargaining agreements or contracts, taking effect when their current agreements expire or are modified. This change aims to ensure teachers are paid for all professional time they spend supporting students and school operations.

Maddy summaryAB 1068 modifies Wisconsin's broadband expansion grant program to better support local governments. It repeals outdated sections and updates rules to allow cities, villages, towns, and counties to apply for grants covering broadband infrastructure construction in unserved areas and related planning costs. Key changes include enabling grants for project planning (like feasibility studies) and permitting up to 50% of a broadband director's salary to be covered by grant funds. The bill directly affects local governments seeking to expand high-speed internet access in underserved communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to increase state funding for passenger rail operations by $10 million and allocate an additional $5.2 million for feasibility studies on rail expansion projects. The funds would be directed to the department of transportation for fiscal year 2026-27 to support existing rail services and evaluate potential new routes. The legislation affects state transportation budgets and rail service providers by authorizing these specific appropriations. The bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process and has not yet been enacted into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill would add a nonvoting teacher representative to school boards in Wisconsin's common and union high school districts. The teacher representative would be selected through a secret ballot vote by teaching staff members and would serve a three-year term, attending all board meetings including closed sessions but without voting rights. The legislation also updates procedures for school board reorganization and special meetings to include notification requirements for the teacher representative.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes minimum salary requirements for full-time public school teachers in Wisconsin. It mandates that all full-time teachers receive an annual salary at least equal to the higher of the state senator or representative salary for that fiscal year. Teachers with at least 10 years of experience must be paid no less than the legislator salary plus $15,000, while those with 20 years or more must earn at least $100,000 annually. The law applies to teachers whose contracts expire or are renewed after the bill takes effect and cannot be negotiated away through collective bargaining agreements.

Maddy summaryThis bill would exempt over-the-counter drugs from state sales and use taxes. It directly affects consumers purchasing non-prescription medications and retailers selling these products. The legislation defines over-the-counter drugs as those with specific labeling requirements, including a drug facts panel or a list of active ingredients. By removing the tax burden, the bill aims to lower costs for buyers of these common health products. The change would take effect on the first day of the third month after the bill is published.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new grant program called "Grow Your Own" to help Wisconsin schools recruit and train new teachers. The program would provide up to $5 million annually starting in the 2026-27 school year to school districts and charter schools for costs related to teacher development initiatives. These initiatives could include high school clubs that encourage teaching careers, paying for current staff to earn licensure, supporting dual enrollment pathways, and offering incentives for paraprofessionals to become licensed teachers. The Department of Public Instruction would administer the grants and establish rules for how schools apply for and use the funding.