Sen. Steve Nass

Maddy summarySB 18 standardizes how schools and districts are rated in annual accountability reports by maintaining consistent scoring methods. It requires using the same cut scores, score ranges, and performance categories (like "Proficient" or "Advanced") that were applied in the 2019-20 school year for all schools and districts. For grades 3-8 English/language arts and math tests, it mandates alignment with National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) standards, while grades 9-11 will use scoring from the 2021-22 school year. This bill directly affects public schools and districts in the state that receive these accountability reports. The changes apply starting with the 2025-26 school year.

Maddy summarySJR 9 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Justice David T. Prosser Jr., a former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice and state legislator who died in December 2024. It commemorates his 40+ years of public service, including 18 years in the Wisconsin Legislature and 18 years on the Supreme Court. The resolution, introduced by multiple legislators, expresses the Wisconsin Legislature's tribute to his career and legacy without creating any new laws or policy changes.

Maddy summarySB 157 prohibits healthcare providers from performing or referring minors under 18 for specific gender transition medical interventions. The bill bans surgeries (like hysterectomy or mastectomy), puberty-blocking drugs, and supraphysiologic hormone treatments aimed at changing a minor’s body to align with a gender discordant with their biological sex (defined as female or male based on chromosomes, sex organs, and hormones). Exceptions apply for minors with genetic disorders of sex development, infections, injuries, or life-threatening conditions requiring immediate surgery. Violations could lead to license revocation for healthcare providers, with disciplinary processes outlined in the bill.

Maddy summarySB 51 restricts the flags that can be flown on state and local government properties. It mandates that only the U.S. flag, the state flag, the official POW/MIA flag, and the flags of U.S. military branches may be displayed on state agency buildings, state authorities, and local government facilities (like city halls or county offices), unless a 3/4 vote of the local governing body or a legislative joint resolution allows exceptions. The bill repeals an existing administrative rule and takes effect January 1, 2027, applying to all state-owned or occupied facilities. This directly affects state agencies, local governments (cities, towns, counties), and their flag display practices.

Maddy summarySB 55 prohibits the state Department of Justice from using legal services provided by non-governmental employees (such as private attorneys or outside contractors) for civil or criminal investigations or prosecutions. The bill allows limited use of legal interns who are not state or federal employees, but only if they are paid $10,000 or less annually by their internship program. This rule directly affects the Department of Justice’s contracting practices and sets a specific pay cap for intern involvement in legal work. The bill would take effect upon enactment, changing how the agency hires legal support.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 174 establishes state regulations for health plans regarding preexisting conditions and benefit limits. It would prevent individual and group health plans from denying coverage or imposing exclusions based on an individual's preexisting health condition. The bill also prohibits lifetime and annual dollar limits on benefits and sets rules for how premium rates can vary for individual and small employer plans. These provisions would only take effect if federal Affordable Care Act regulations related to these issues are no longer enforceable or preempt state law.

Maddy summarySB 61 modifies how Wisconsin school districts calculate their "shared costs" for determining state equalization aid. It creates a new provision (121.07(6)(ap)) that excludes debt service from referenda-approved borrowing (over $50 million) from these costs, but only if the district's equalized valuation exceeded a specific threshold. This directly affects school districts that use referendum funds to finance large capital projects or debt, preventing those costs from reducing their state aid. The change applies to districts that borrowed via referendum after the bill's effective date and met the valuation condition.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 154 requires the Department of Health Services (DHS) to request a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This waiver aims to prohibit the use of FoodShare benefits, also known as the federal food stamp program, for purchasing candy or soft drinks. If the waiver is granted, individuals receiving FoodShare benefits would no longer be able to use them to buy these specific items. The bill mandates that DHS continue to submit this waiver request annually until it is approved.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 249 proposes to create a new section of state law (17.03 (10m)) concerning vacancies in specific state government positions. This bill applies to individuals serving in "appointive state offices" that have a fixed term. It defines these offices broadly to include most state departments, agencies, boards, and commissions, excluding the legislature and courts. The new section is intended to address situations where an incumbent's fixed term in such an office expires, though the specific policy change for this scenario is not detailed in the provided text.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 240 establishes a workforce literacy grant program to be managed by the Department. This program will provide an annual grant to a single eligible nonprofit organization located in the state. To qualify, the organization must provide adult literacy services or support community-based literacy programs in over half of the state's counties. Grant funds can be used for teaching workforce readiness skills, GED preparation, digital literacy, and other literacy programs aimed at strengthening the state's workforce, or for supporting other organizations that directly provide these services to adult learners.