Sen. André Jacque

Maddy summarySB 672 prohibits health insurance plans (including Medical Assistance) from covering organ transplants or related care if the organ was transplanted in, originates from, or was procured in a country designated by the department as participating in forced organ harvesting. The bill defines forced organ harvesting as the removal of organs through coercion, deception, or abuse of power. It exempts life-saving post-transplant care for individuals who already received a prohibited transplant. The department will designate qualifying countries, and the law applies to all disability insurance, self-insured health plans, and Medical Assistance programs. (SB 672, Section 1)

Maddy summarySB 628 requires the state environmental department to notify county health departments, tribal health departments, and county land conservation departments within 7 business days whenever groundwater pollution levels exceed safety standards or PFAS chemical limits. It mandates that the department create a public notification system to alert affected local governments about these exceedances, including adjacent counties that might be impacted. The bill directly affects local health and environmental agencies in counties where pollution incidents occur, ensuring they receive timely information to address potential public health or environmental risks. This is a procedural requirement focused on transparency and rapid communication, not on changing pollution standards or enforcement actions.

Maddy summarySB 649 prohibits state-funded medical and research facilities from using genetic software or operational tools developed by foreign adversaries (as defined by federal regulations), and bans storing human genome data of state residents within foreign adversary countries. It directly affects facilities receiving state or federal funds for health services or genetic research, requiring them to keep all genomic data within the state and inaccessible to foreign adversaries. Key provisions include a $10,000 penalty per violation for noncompliance, enforced by the state attorney general, with exceptions for clinical trials under federal guidelines. The bill focuses on restricting data and software access from designated foreign entities to protect genomic information.

Maddy summarySB 475 modifies Wisconsin's building code rules for public buildings, structures, and places of employment (like government offices, schools, or public facilities). It specifies that most commercial building code chapters (SPS 361-366) apply to these public spaces, but excludes one specific provision (SPS 361.03(7)) from applying if building plans are submitted to the department or local government by April 1, 2026. The bill takes effect for projects where plans are submitted by that deadline, altering which code requirements govern public building construction. This change directly affects public construction projects requiring building code compliance.

Maddy summarySB 542 creates a new special vehicle registration plate category for individuals awarded the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, adding it to existing plate designations under statute 341.14(6r)(f)19g. The bill establishes a $15 fee for these plates, with excess funds above $23,700 (or production costs) directed to the Veterans Trust Fund. It specifies that these plates must display the required design elements and wording under existing statute rules for special group plates, without altering current plate design standards or other categories. This is a procedural change to expand eligible special plates for veterans, not a substantive policy shift.

Maddy summarySB 653 prohibits University of Wisconsin System institutions from accepting foreign grants, entering academic partnerships, or signing research agreements with entities from countries designated as "foreign adversaries" (including China, Russia, and Qatar) without board approval. It requires security reviews by federal law enforcement for any proposed partnerships and bans institutions from using educational software from "prohibited business entities" (like Chinese state-owned companies). The bill also bans accepting gifts or cultural exchange payments from such foreign entities and mandates annual reports to the legislature on all existing partnerships with foreign adversaries. This directly affects UW System campuses, their boards, and researchers by restricting international collaborations and requiring new security protocols.

Maddy summarySB 591 creates a Council on Dual Enrollment to oversee credit transfer policies, with members from universities, technical colleges, school districts, tribal colleges, and legislative leaders. It requires all public universities and technical colleges to make core general education credits earned through high school dual enrollment programs fully transferable by September 1, 2026. The bill also mandates agreements between public institutions (covering 72+ credits) and private colleges (covering 36+ credits) to ensure these credits satisfy general education requirements at receiving institutions. This directly affects high school students taking college courses, public and technical colleges, tribal colleges, and private colleges participating in dual enrollment programs.

Maddy summarySB 168 modifies Wisconsin's worker's compensation law to adjust how mental injury claims (specifically PTSD) are handled for certain public safety and emergency response professionals. It directly affects emergency medical responders, emergency medical services practitioners, volunteer firefighters, correctional officers, emergency dispatchers, coroners, medical examiners, and their staff. The bill creates new statutory definitions for these roles and requires that PTSD claims for these workers meet specific conditions to be compensable, rather than automatically covering all mental injuries without physical trauma. This change clarifies the process for filing such claims under the state's worker's compensation system.

Maddy summarySB 606 creates a sales and use tax exemption for firearms, archery equipment (bows and arrows), crossbows, and ammunition sold specifically on July 4th and during the third week of December. This exemption directly affects consumers purchasing these items during those two designated time periods. Retailers selling these products during the exempt dates would not collect sales tax on the transaction. The exemption is automatic during those dates, requiring no additional documentation from buyers.

Maddy summarySB 499 clarifies Wisconsin's legal definition of "hemp" to align with federal standards, specifying that hemp includes the *Cannabis sativa* plant and its derivatives (like seeds and cannabinoids) with no more than 0.3% THC (or up to 1% under federal law, whichever is greater), tested via approved methods. The bill creates new definitions for "hemp-derived cannabinoid products" (excluding synthetic cannabinoids and FDA-approved drugs) and "industrial hemp" (covering non-cannabinoid products like stalk fiber, seed oil, and grain). This directly affects hemp farmers, manufacturers, and retailers by establishing clear regulatory boundaries for products, ensuring consistency with federal law. The changes update existing statutes to prevent confusion between hemp and marijuana under state law.