Sen. Steve Nass

Maddy summarySB 235 creates a new criminal trespass offense specifically for campgrounds. It makes it illegal to enter or stay on a licensed campground after being notified not to by the owner, operator, or occupant (e.g., through posted signs or direct notice). The law allows campground owners to request law enforcement assistance to remove individuals who violate this rule. This bill directly affects campground owners/operators and visitors who ignore posted notices or direct warnings, applying only to licensed campgrounds (excluding those under specific exemptions). The law was enacted as 2025 Wisconsin Act 29.

Maddy summarySJR 7 is a non-binding legislative resolution passed by Wisconsin's legislature declaring support for nuclear power and fusion energy as critical clean energy sources. It states the legislature's commitment to advancing these technologies, citing their role in providing 66.6% of Wisconsin's carbon-free electricity, powering 1.2 million homes, and supporting 650 high-paying jobs. The resolution does not create new laws or allocate funds but formally recognizes nuclear/fusion energy as essential for meeting energy demands and reducing emissions. It emphasizes Wisconsin's existing nuclear infrastructure (including two operating reactors) and academic resources as foundations for future growth in this sector.

Maddy summarySB 126 amends the effective date for specific provisions in 2023 Wisconsin Act 126, delaying their implementation from July 1, 2025, to December 1, 2027. It directly affects the listed statutes in Section 35(1m), which cover areas like property tax assessments, education funding, and local government regulations. The bill does not change the substance of these provisions but adjusts their start date through a procedural amendment. This change provides additional time for affected entities to prepare for the new requirements.

Maddy summarySJR 2 proposes a constitutional amendment that would require all qualified voters to present valid photographic identification to cast a ballot in any election. This identification must be issued by the state, federal government, a federally recognized American Indian tribe, or a college or university. The bill allows the legislature to specify acceptable forms of identification and establish exceptions to this requirement. Voters unable to present valid ID on election day would be permitted to cast a provisional ballot, which would only be counted if they present valid identification at a later time. If agreed to by the legislature on this second consideration, the proposed amendment will be submitted to the people for ratification.

Maddy summarySJR 27 is a joint resolution that formally proclaims April 24, 2025, as Holocaust Remembrance Day and April 27, 2025, to May 4, 2025, as Holocaust Days of Remembrance in Wisconsin. This resolution aims to raise public awareness about the Holocaust and its impact on world history and shared humanity.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Wisconsin state agencies and local governments from restricting utility connections based on the type or source of energy, such as natural gas versus renewable sources. It also forbids these entities from discriminating against public utilities or retailers that provide specific energy services to consumers. While the law limits regulatory barriers, it explicitly preserves the government's ability to manage its own utilities, reduce emissions through its own operations, and purchase renewable energy.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a grant program to help Wisconsin municipalities and community water systems address perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS. It allows public utilities to use up to half of their water or sewer service funds to pay for pretreatment or source reduction measures if these costs are lower than upgrading treatment facilities at the endpoint. Additionally, the bill creates a specific grant fund for testing PFAS levels in municipal water and wastewater systems, ensuring that funding is available to every eligible applicant without requiring them to provide matching funds. The legislation also includes provisions to prioritize projects that address the most serious health risks and assist small or disadvantaged applicants when ranking projects for assistance.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows circuit judges to issue criminal complaints when a district attorney refuses to do so, specifically in cases where the accused claims self-defense. Under the new rules, a judge can only proceed with a hearing if there is new evidence suggesting the person did not act in self-defense, as the law currently protects individuals who defend themselves or others. If the judge determines a crime was committed despite the self-defense claim, they can subpoena witnesses and review police reports to decide whether to file charges. The district attorney must provide all relevant investigation records and explain their reasons for refusing to issue charges if the judge requests them.

Maddy summaryThis bill primarily updates Wisconsin statutes to expand the scope of medical professionals who can perform specific administrative and clinical tasks. It allows licensed chiropractors, podiatrists, and physician assistants to review applications for permits related to physical and visual disabilities, tasks previously reserved for physicians. Additionally, the legislation grants advanced practice registered nurses the authority to issue prescriptions under existing laws and clarifies the definition of a health care provider to include these expanded roles. The bill also modifies procedures for emergency rule-making, extending time limits and creating exemptions for certain rule changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Wisconsin Elections Commission to verify the U.S. citizenship status of individuals on the voter registration list by accessing data from the Department of Transportation. Under the new rules, the commission must check this information immediately whenever someone registers to vote or updates their registration details. Additionally, the bill mandates that driver's licenses and identification cards issued to non-citizens must display a clear statement such as "Not valid for voting purposes" to indicate they cannot be used for voter identification. These changes directly affect the state's election administration processes and the design of identification documents issued to residents.