Rep. Brienne Brown

Maddy summaryThis bill makes the Wisconsin additional child and dependent care tax credit refundable, meaning families who owe no state income tax can still receive the credit as a cash payment. It applies to tax years starting after December 31, 2023, and before January 1, 2026, allowing claimants to receive up to 100% of their federal child and dependent care tax credit. If the credit amount exceeds the taxpayer's state tax liability, the unused portion is paid directly by the state through the Department of Revenue. The legislation also includes an appropriation to fund these payments and updates related tax credit listings in state statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state minimum wage schedule that gradually increases from $15 per hour in 2026 to $20 per hour by 2030, with slightly lower rates for small employers defined as those with 50 or fewer employees. It also sets specific minimum wage rates for tipped employees, which increase more slowly over the same period. Beginning in 2031, the state department of labor gains authority to adjust the minimum wage annually based on changes in the consumer price index. The bill also grants the department power to create rules for special categories of workers, including agricultural employees, students, and those with disabilities, while exempting certain types of casual employment from minimum wage requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a pilot program to provide grants to small dairy farms with fewer than 1,000 milking cows, aiming to help them improve operational efficiency and resilience. The program would be funded by a $1.5 million appropriation and administered by the Department of Agriculture, which would have the authority to create rules for managing the grants. Eligible dairy producers could use the funding for projects designed to strengthen their farms against economic or environmental challenges. The legislation creates two new sections in the state statutes to outline the program's structure and funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires prescription drug manufacturers to report price increases and new drug introductions to state health officials, affecting pharmaceutical companies selling drugs in the state. Manufacturers must notify the department and insurance office at least 30 days before raising drug prices by more than 25% over two years or introducing high-cost brand-name drugs, providing justification including cost-effectiveness data and comparisons to similar medications. The law also mandates annual reports on manufacturer-sponsored patient assistance programs and price concessions given to pharmacy benefit managers, with penalties of up to $10,000 per day for noncompliance. State health officials will publish the justification documents and conduct public hearings to analyze drug pricing trends.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies property tax exemptions for nonprofit organizations that sell homes to low-income buyers. It allows nonprofits to qualify for tax breaks only if they either offer zero-interest loans or restrict sales to households earning less than 120 percent of the area median income. The changes apply to property tax assessments starting January 1, 2026, and affect nonprofits that rehabilitate, redevelop, or construct housing for low-income residents. The legislation removes a previous provision that allowed broader exemptions without income restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill congratulates the U.S. Olympic Women's Ice Hockey Team for winning the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics. It specifically recognizes the team's achievements and highlights the contributions of Wisconsin athletes and staff who were part of the squad. The resolution expresses appreciation from the Wisconsin State Legislature to the players, coaches, and support staff for their success. As a ceremonial measure, the bill does not create new laws or policies but serves to honor the team's accomplishment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $1 million annual grant program to help school districts install or upgrade emergency notification systems that are accessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing students. The funding, allocated for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years, is intended to cover the costs of making emergency alert systems compatible with needs of students who cannot hear traditional alarms. Under the legislation, the Department of Public Instruction can award grants to eligible school districts, but the amount awarded cannot exceed what the district actually spent on the installation or upgrade. The bill creates new statutory provisions in the Wisconsin statutes to authorize and regulate this specific grant program.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school districts in Wisconsin to ensure teachers have at least 45 minutes of daily self-directed preparation time, equivalent to one full class period. The provision applies to teachers covered by collective bargaining agreements or contracts, taking effect when those agreements expire or are modified. The legislation amends existing state statutes to mandate this preparation time as part of teachers' daily schedules.

Maddy summaryThis bill would authorize Wisconsin to join an interstate compact that implements a national popular vote system for electing the president and vice president, but it only takes effect once enough states have joined to control a majority of electoral votes. Under the agreement, member states would still hold traditional statewide elections, but they would award all their electoral votes to the presidential candidate who wins the most total votes nationwide rather than the winner of their individual state. The bill also includes provisions for handling ties, certifying results, and allowing states to withdraw from the compact with certain restrictions. This legislation does not change the current Electoral College system itself but creates a legal framework for states to participate in an alternative election method if sufficient states agree to join the compact.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans and self-insured programs to stop using the Salzmann Evaluation Index alone when deciding whether to cover treatment for severe misalignment or malocclusion of teeth. It directly affects dental coverage under disability insurance policies, self-insured plans, limited service health organizations, preferred provider plans, and defined network plans. The law mandates that these plans must consider additional factors beyond the index when making prior authorization decisions for orthodontic treatments. The changes apply to policy years starting after the law takes effect, with specific timing for plans affected by collective bargaining agreements.