Sen. John Jagler

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 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.

Maddy summarySJR 13 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Patrick Fuller, former Wisconsin Assembly Chief Clerk, who passed away in January 2025. It recognizes his 25-year U.S. military career (including service in the Marines and Army, with combat deployments) and his 20-year tenure managing Assembly operations across multiple legislative sessions. The resolution, introduced by numerous legislators, formally expresses the legislature's condolences to his family and extends tribute to his public service. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but serves as a formal acknowledgment of his contributions.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 241 creates special provisions for "data center districts" within tax incremental financing (TIF) districts. It exempts a TIF district from a standard 12 percent limit requirement if all its project costs are dedicated to a qualified data center located within its boundaries. This aims to streamline the creation or amendment of TIF districts specifically for data center development. However, districts receiving this exemption cannot later amend their project plans to include costs unrelated to the data center, and their value increment will not count towards the 12 percent limit calculation for other TIF districts.

Maddy summarySB 384 requires health care providers to provide the same standard of care and immediate hospital transport for any child born alive after an abortion or attempted abortion, as they would for any newborn of the same gestational age. Violating these requirements is a Class H felony, but the mother cannot be prosecuted for the incident. The bill also allows affected women to seek triple the cost of the abortion as civil damages, plus attorney fees, while protecting their identity through court confidentiality orders. It explicitly states the law does not create or recognize a right to abortion.

Maddy summarySB 145 establishes a process for Wisconsin to add federal newborn screening recommendations to its state-required list. It requires the Department of Health Services (DHS) to evaluate new federal disorders within 18 months, conduct annual reviews of excluded disorders, and begin rule-making to include them if appropriate. The bill grants DHS authority to create new screening rules and exempts these rules from standard emergency rule procedures. It directly affects newborns in Wisconsin by potentially expanding screening tests for certain disorders, with testing for newly added disorders required to begin within six months of rule publication. The law applies to federal recommendations approved after January 1, 2025, and includes specific timelines for evaluation and implementation.

Maddy summarySB 206 makes certain terms in Wisconsin residential rental agreements void and unenforceable if they violate specific protections. It directly affects tenants and landlords by prohibiting clauses that allow retaliation for contacting services (e.g., law enforcement or health services), termination due to a tenant being a crime victim, or termination without required notice for crimes on property. Tenants can choose to void their entire lease or sever only the prohibited clause, with remedies including a periodic tenancy (renewable month-to-month) and double damages for financial losses caused by prohibited terms. The bill specifically targets provisions under sections 704.44(1m) to (10) of Wisconsin statutes, creating clear legal pathways for tenants to challenge unfair lease terms.

Maddy summarySB 180 modifies Wisconsin's housing programs under the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA). It allows WHEDA to offer loans with interest rates at or below market rate minus 1% (or no interest) and requires newly constructed workforce or senior housing to remain affordable for 10 years after initial occupancy. For owner-occupied homes, it restricts resale prices to the original purchase price plus annual inflation (capped at 5% per year), with these rules recorded on property deeds and published online by WHEDA. The bill directly affects developers receiving WHEDA loans and future homeowners purchasing qualifying affordable housing units, applying to new loans starting January 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySJR 99 is a symbolic resolution recognizing October 14, 2025, as "First Responders Appreciation Day" in Wisconsin. It honors all professional and volunteer police, fire, and emergency medical services personnel (including Wisconsin's over 4,800 career firefighters, 20,600 volunteer firefighters, 14,700 law enforcement officers, and 17,426 EMS personnel) for their daily service and risks. The resolution has no policy or legal effect - it merely declares a day of recognition through legislative proclamation. It does not create new requirements, funding, or changes to laws affecting first responders.

Maddy summarySB 526 allows substitute teachers with a department-issued permit (under Section 118.19(7m)) to teach at private schools participating in a parental choice program. It modifies existing requirements by adding new provisions (118.60(2)(a)6.e. and 119.23(2)(a)6.d.) that exempt these permit-holding substitutes from the standard rule requiring all private school teachers to have a teaching license or bachelor's degree or higher. The bill directly affects substitute teachers holding the specific permit and private schools enrolled in state parental choice programs. This change streamlines substitute staffing for participating schools without altering credential requirements for regular teachers.