Maddy summarySB 181 creates a levy limit exemption for local governments that fund regional emergency medical services (EMS). It allows counties or municipalities to count costs for regional EMS (via joint districts or agreements) toward their budget without triggering standard spending limits, provided the service area covers at least 232 square miles or 8+ municipalities. The bill requires that annual EMS funding increases stay within an inflation-adjusted cap (U.S. CPI plus 5%) and that the local government confirms a coordinated regional service area. This directly affects local governments operating regional EMS systems by making their funding more flexible under budget constraints. The exemption applies to costs for fire department-provided EMS and excludes these expenditures from standard spending limit calculations.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 504 requires insurance plans that rent their dental provider networks to disclose this practice to dentists. Specifically, plans must include rental notifications in contracts and inform dentists within 45 days if their contract is rented to another entity. The bill also mandates that any entity renting a dental network must honor the original contract terms, including discounted rates, between the dentist and the insurance plan. Dentists can terminate participation with the renting entity without ending their original contract with the insurance plan.
Maddy summarySB 531 allows residential contractors to directly receive insurance payments for repairs after property damage, rather than homeowners having to collect and pay contractors. It specifically covers repairs, replacements, or reconstruction of residential properties, including roof systems and tree removal/repair. The bill includes penalties for violations of these insurance payment rules. This change primarily affects homeowners and contractors dealing with property damage claims, streamlining how repair funds flow. The bill passed its final reading on November 18, 2025, and was sent to the governor.
Maddy summarySB 533 defines "equipment" for correctional officers to include tools used for communication, seeking help, or accessing locked areas, alongside items designed to cause harm or restraint. The bill amends penalties for intentionally disarming an officer or removing their issued equipment. It directly affects correctional officers and individuals who interfere with their authorized tools, making such actions a punishable offense under existing law. The legislation clarifies what constitutes prohibited interference with an officer's duties-related equipment.
Maddy summarySB 379 creates a $2,000 refundable individual income tax credit for Wisconsin parents who experience a stillbirth (defined as a birth requiring a fetal death report under state law). The credit applies to the taxable year of the stillbirth and is refundable, meaning parents who owe less in taxes than $2,000 will receive the difference as a cash payment from the state. Eligibility requires being a Wisconsin resident filing a joint or separate return, with specific limits: $2,000 total for married couples filing jointly, $1,000 each for unmarried parents or separate returns. Proof of eligibility, such as a fetal death report, must be submitted with the tax return.
Maddy summarySB 785 requires the Department of Public Instruction to create a free online portal on its website where the public can search license holder information. The portal must include the names of license holders under investigation, the outcome of investigations (including voluntary license surrender), and the names of individuals who had licenses revoked. This applies to license holders regulated by the state superintendent (such as educators or professionals) and ensures transparency about ongoing or completed investigations. The bill mandates that the department post these details in the portal, replacing current confidentiality practices for investigation status during proceedings.
Maddy summarySB 128 establishes a Municipal PFAS Grant Program to help communities test for and address PFAS ("forever chemicals") in drinking water systems. It allows water utilities to use service funds to cover up to half the cost of source reduction measures (like filtration) if cheaper than endpoint treatment, and creates an exception for utilities acting quickly on unexpected PFAS contamination (without penalties if they notify regulators within 30 days and costs stay under $2 million). The bill prioritizes projects addressing serious health risks and extends grant eligibility to disadvantaged communities affected by water contamination, regardless of their existing service area status. It also creates a referral system connecting PFAS contamination claims to the existing Innocent Landowner Grant Program.
Maddy summarySB 191 requires courts to serve subpoenas for law enforcement officers, tribal law enforcement officers, public officers, or public employees at their workplace address - not their home address - when their testimony relates to official duties. This applies to all witnesses in these roles whose testimony concerns actions taken in their official capacity or employment. The bill specifies that subpoenas must be delivered by giving a copy to the individual at work, leaving it at the workplace, or presenting it to them there. It updates legal procedures to streamline service for these officials while clarifying that "address" for such testimony means their employer’s street address under defined circumstances.
Maddy summarySB 127 exempts specific entities from PFAS-related enforcement actions under Wisconsin's spills law, provided they allow the state to clean up contaminated land at no cost to them. It directly affects landowners who spread permitted biosolids/wastewater containing PFAS, fire departments using PFAS in emergencies, airports, municipalities, solid waste facilities, and property owners not responsible for the contamination. The key provision requires these entities to grant permission for state-led remediation, removing liability under certain enforcement sections of the spills law. This applies to PFAS chemicals commonly found in firefighting foam and industrial products. The bill does not change PFAS contamination standards but alters enforcement responsibilities for qualifying parties.
Maddy summarySB 376 adjusts the effective year for a state tax credit that employers can claim for providing child care benefits to employees, changing the reference from 2024 to 2025 in multiple sections. It also adds language specifying that the credit will be "in effect for federal purposes," aligning the state credit with federal tax treatment. This bill directly affects employers offering child care programs, ensuring the credit applies to 2025 tax filings and coordinates with federal rules. The bill passed unanimously in the legislature on November 18, 2025, with no opposition.