Sen. Sarah Keyeski

Maddy summarySB 520 prohibits foreign nationals from contributing money to referendum committees and bans referendum committees from accepting such contributions. The bill adds a specific provision (11.1208(4)(b)) to state law, defining "foreign national" per federal election regulations (11 CFR 110.20(a)(3) and 52 USC 30121(b)). This directly affects referendum committees organizing ballot measure campaigns and foreign nationals seeking to influence state-level referendums. The policy change explicitly bars foreign funding in referendum committee finances without altering broader campaign finance rules.

Maddy summarySB 523 requires election boards to mark the poll list number of each absentee voter on the back of their ballot after verifying eligibility and ballot endorsement. This procedural change directly affects local election boards handling absentee ballots and ensures consistent tracking of voter participation. The bill specifies that boards must mark the number without unfolding or examining the ballot, following verification steps outlined in existing election statutes. It does not alter voting eligibility or ballot content, only the administrative process for recording absentee votes. The requirement applies to all absentee ballots except those cast under specific circumstances noted in statute.

Maddy summarySB 444 requires law enforcement officers to clearly identify themselves during arrests or detentions by verbally stating their role, displaying their surname and badge number with high-contrast visibility, and showing agency insignia in specific sizes. It mandates officers to provide the legal authority for the detention and prohibits face covering except for health/safety reasons or tactical teams. Violating these requirements is a Class D felony, though courts cannot impose jail time. The bill directly affects all officers employed by law enforcement agencies and individuals subject to arrests or detentions.

Maddy summarySB 506 modifies state civil service rules to clarify and streamline veteran hiring preferences. It removes age restrictions for veterans applying for civil service positions and updates how preference points are applied to veterans and their spouses during hiring processes. Key changes include revising sections to ensure veterans and spouses receive preference points without adding them to certification lists prematurely, while maintaining that their grades plus points must equal or exceed the lowest grade on the list. The bill directly affects veterans seeking state civil service jobs and state hiring boards managing eligibility lists. These revisions aim to simplify compliance with existing veteran preference laws under statutes like 230.16 (7).

Maddy summarySB 458 would eliminate the state's right-to-work law, removing a provision that allowed employees to work without joining a union. The bill requires employers to obtain majority worker approval before implementing union security agreements (where union membership is mandatory for all employees in a workplace). It also mandates that employees personally authorize dues deductions, rather than automatic withholding. These changes directly affect private-sector employees, employers, and labor organizations across the state.

Maddy summarySB 483 requires property tax bills sent to homeowners to include specific information about reductions in state aid to their local school district. It mandates details on the dollar amount and percentage change of any aid reduction from the previous year and current year, and if the reduction stems from state choice programs (like Milwaukee or Racine Choice) or scholarship payments, it requires a clear statement about that cause. The bill also notes that school districts could choose to offset such aid cuts by raising local property taxes. This applies only in years when a state aid reduction actually occurs. The summary focuses solely on the mandated disclosure in property tax bills, not on policy impacts or advocacy.

Maddy summaryWisconsin would designate the last full week of September as Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) Awareness Week through this symbolic resolution. It aims to raise public awareness about FTD - a misdiagnosed condition affecting behavior, language, and emotional expression in people aged 45-64 - with no new policies or funding attached. The resolution references FTD’s $120,000 annual economic burden per family and its lack of cure, aligning with global awareness efforts. As a procedural resolution, it has no direct policy impact but seeks to highlight the condition’s challenges.

Maddy summarySB 540 bans employers from asking job applicants about their past pay or using that information in hiring decisions. It also protects employees’ right to discuss, share, or ask about their own or coworkers’ pay without employer interference. Violations can be reported to the labor department or pursued in court, with remedies including back pay, reinstatement, and capped damages up to $300,000 based on employer size. The law directly affects all employers and employees in the state, aiming to reduce pay discrimination by promoting transparency.

Maddy summarySB 516 requires the state group insurance board to study the potential costs and savings for Wisconsin school districts and current health insurance plan participants if school districts were either required to join or could voluntarily join a state-offered group health insurance plan. The bill allocates $300,000 for these actuarial studies, which must be completed within six months and reported to the governor and legislature. It does not change current participation rules but examines two scenarios: mandatory statewide enrollment versus voluntary participation. The study will specifically analyze financial impacts on school districts and existing plan members. This bill is procedural, focusing solely on gathering data before any policy decisions.

Maddy summarySB 433 creates a new $60 million annual grant program for local governments to fund traffic calming infrastructure projects. It directly affects counties, cities, villages, towns, and federally recognized tribes by providing funding for projects designed to slow vehicle speeds, such as speed bumps or road redesigns. Projects must align with the federal transportation alternatives program and be administered by the state Department of Transportation. The bill establishes a formal grant process with application requirements and evaluation criteria, but does not change existing traffic laws or require local matching funds.