Sen. André Jacque

Maddy summarySJR 30 is a ceremonial resolution expressing the Wisconsin State Legislature's commendation of the University of Wisconsin-Madison women’s hockey team for winning the 2025 NCAA Division I Women’s Hockey National Championship. It specifically highlights their championship victory over Ohio State in overtime, key players like Kirsten Simms and Ava McNaughton, and the coaching staff. The resolution has no policy impact - it is purely symbolic, offering formal congratulations without enacting new laws or allocating resources. This type of resolution is standard for recognizing athletic achievements and does not affect any legislation or funding.

Maddy summarySB 19 creates a fee waiver for Wisconsin state park vehicle admissions for families with 4th graders who have an active Every Kid Outdoors pass from the U.S. National Park Service. It directly affects Wisconsin residents who are parents or guardians of eligible 4th graders, waiving the annual vehicle admission fee (including issuance costs) for vehicles with Wisconsin plates. The bill requires proof of the child's pass and the parent/guardian's ownership of the vehicle. This policy change provides free access to state parks for these families without altering existing park fees for other visitors.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 114 proposes to exempt diapers and feminine hygiene products from state sales and use tax. The bill defines "diaper" as an absorbent garment for humans with bladder or bowel control difficulties, and "feminine hygiene products" to include items like tampons and sanitary napkins, specifically excluding general grooming products. If enacted, consumers would no longer pay sales tax on these defined items, and retailers would not collect it. This change aims to remove the sales and use tax from the sale and consumption of these specific products.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 197 proposes significant changes to Wisconsin's unemployment insurance law, primarily by renaming it the "reemployment assistance" program. The bill establishes a new Division of Reemployment Assistance within the Department of Workforce Development. It also amends various statutes to reflect this name change and reiterates that individuals must be able, available, and actively seeking work to be eligible for benefits. These changes directly affect individuals applying for benefits, employers who contribute to the system, and the state's workforce development efforts.

Maddy summarySB 37 prohibits local governments (cities, towns, or counties) from requiring permits or banning vegetable gardens on residential property. It defines "vegetable garden" broadly to include edible plants, flowers, and pollinator plants grown in residential plots. The bill does not stop local governments from enforcing unrelated rules like zoning, water use, fertilizer regulations, or controlling weeds/invasive species - only those specifically targeting vegetable gardens. This directly affects homeowners who grow food or flowers in their yards and limits municipal overreach into residential gardening.

Maddy summarySB 280 redirects $172 million in interest earned from coronavirus state and local fiscal recovery funds to the general fund. It directly affects the state's budget by moving existing interest funds that would otherwise remain in the department of administration's appropriation. The bill's key mechanism is a fiscal adjustment under section 20.906(1), lapsing these funds to the general fund upon the bill's effective date. This is a procedural budget reallocation, not a new policy or program.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 58 modifies the information provided on ballots for certain referenda that affect property taxes. It requires these ballot questions to include a good faith estimate of the dollar amount difference a median-valued, single-family residence would experience if the referendum passes, along with the property value used for the estimate. For bond referenda, the bill also mandates the inclusion of the estimated interest rate, total interest accruing, and any fees for bond defeasance. These changes affect voters and local political subdivisions by providing more detailed financial impact information for property tax-related ballot measures.

Maddy summarySB 57 reclassifies certain actions by county sheriffs who assist federal immigration authorities as a felony instead of a misdemeanor. It directly affects county sheriffs who provide support for federal immigration enforcement activities. The key provision changes the legal penalty for sheriffs participating in specific immigration-related functions, increasing the potential punishment. This bill modifies existing law to impose stricter criminal penalties for sheriffs engaging in these activities.

Maddy summarySB 290 prevents local governments from using procedural rules to permanently block the reintroduction of ordinances or resolutions that failed to pass previously. It requires village boards, town boards, and city common councils to allow reconsideration of substantially similar proposals after a 2-year waiting period. The bill creates specific statutory provisions (in sections 59.11(4m), 60.20(4), and 61.32(6)) ensuring local governing bodies cannot prohibit such reconsideration within this timeframe. This applies directly to all local government bodies that adopt ordinances or resolutions through formal proceedings.

Maddy summarySB 2 expands veterans' burial benefits to cover individuals who served in Laos supporting U.S. efforts during the Vietnam War. It directly affects eligible veterans (including those covered by the federal Hmong Veterans Naturalization Act of 2000) who previously did not qualify for national cemetery burial under existing rules. The bill adds a new provision (45.61 (2) (e)) to state law, linking eligibility for burial benefits to the federal naturalization act for these veterans. This change creates a concrete policy update to include a specific group of veterans in existing burial benefit programs. The bill is currently referred to the Senate Rules Committee for further consideration.