Rep. Greta Neubauer

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 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 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 creates a new category called "very large customer" for electric utilities and gives the state commission authority to define who qualifies for this class. It requires electric utilities to file rate applications every other year for these customers and mandates that the commission review whether the rates charged are fair and not discriminatory. The commission will also develop specific rules to ensure utilities properly justify how rates cover the costs of serving these large customers. If rates are found to be unreasonable or unfairly discriminatory, the commission can adjust them or modify service terms accordingly.

Maddy summaryAB 957 increases funding by $400,000 for each of the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years to support internet crimes against children law enforcement within the Department of Justice. This is a budget adjustment that directly affects the Department of Justice's resources for investigating and prosecuting online crimes targeting minors. The bill does not create new laws or change existing legal standards - it solely allocates additional state funds for enforcement efforts.

Maddy summaryAB 958 authorizes the Department of Justice to add three new positions specifically for its Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) unit: two criminal analyst roles, one outreach specialist, and one digital evidence examiner. These positions are funded through existing appropriations under section 20.455(2)(a). The bill directly affects the ICAC unit’s staffing capacity to investigate and respond to online crimes involving children. It does not create new laws or policies but adjusts personnel authorizations to support existing law enforcement efforts. The bill was introduced in the 2026 Legislature and referred to the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee.

Maddy summaryAB 964 clarifies that online sexual extortion targeting children falls under existing law by specifying it as a violation of Section 942.095 when the victim is a child (as defined in Section 948.01). This bill directly affects law enforcement agencies investigating internet crimes against children, enabling them to issue administrative subpoenas to internet companies for relevant data without a court order. The key provision streamlines the process for obtaining evidence from online platforms in cases where children are victims of sexual extortion. It does not create new penalties but ensures these cases are explicitly covered under current statutes for investigative efficiency.

Maddy summaryAB 969 creates a formal drug donation program to redistribute unused medications to eligible patients. It defines key terms like "donor" (including pharmacies, hospitals, and individuals), "eligible patient" (indigent, uninsured, or underinsured individuals), and "recipient" (medical facilities or pharmacies that can receive donations). The bill allows donors to contribute drugs to participating facilities, with recipients permitted to charge a handling fee covering actual costs (e.g., storage, shipping), while prohibiting donations of certain FDA-regulated drugs requiring patient enrollment. This program aims to provide access to medications for underserved patients through a structured, safe, and cost-transparent system.