Maddy summarySB 586 creates a new "Tuition Promise Grant Program" to help Wisconsin residents cover the gap between other financial aid and the full cost of academic fees and course-related fees at University of Wisconsin campuses (excluding Madison). It directly affects eligible undergraduate students who are Wisconsin residents, enrolled in their first bachelor’s program at a non-Madison UW campus, and have household income at or below $71,000 annually. The program provides grants for up to 8 consecutive semesters (for freshmen) or 4 consecutive semesters (for transfer students), with initial funding of $11.86 million for 2025-26 and $28.11 million for 2026-27. The UW Board of Regents will administer the program and set rules, but grants cannot cover summer terms or be awarded to students with unaddressed child support liens or selective service registration issues.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySenate Bill 587 modifies the process for remitting educational fees for veterans and their dependents attending University of Wisconsin System institutions or technical colleges. It establishes a "sum sufficient" appropriation, ensuring that the state provides the necessary funds to fully reimburse these educational institutions for all remitted fees. The bill removes previous limitations on the amount the state's Higher Educational Aids Board can reimburse the universities and
Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $10 million annually for student success and retention programs at University of Wisconsin System institutions and Wisconsin technical colleges. It creates dedicated funding streams (under statutes 20.285(1)(ct) and 20.292(1)(er)) to support existing efforts like academic advising and program administration. The funds are provided as a continuing appropriation, meaning they are guaranteed year-to-year without needing annual legislative approval. This directly affects students and institutions by providing sustained financial support for initiatives aimed at improving graduation rates and student persistence.
Maddy summarySB 208 prohibits hedge funds (defined as entities managing $50 million+ in pooled investor funds) from acquiring or owning single-family homes in the state. It specifically targets new acquisitions after the law's effective date, requiring any violation to forfeit the property to the state, enforced by the attorney general. Existing ownership before the effective date is not affected. The bill directly impacts hedge funds meeting its financial and structural criteria, not other investors or property types. It does not alter existing ownership rights but prevents new purchases by covered hedge funds.
Maddy summarySB 541 creates a new pathway for individuals or the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development to file civil lawsuits in circuit court alleging employment discrimination, unfair honesty testing (like pre-employment lie detector tests), or unfair genetic testing. The bill sets a 300-day deadline to file such lawsuits and establishes damage caps based on employer size (ranging from $50,000 to $300,000), with automatic annual adjustments using the consumer price index. It clarifies that individuals don’t need to first pursue administrative complaints before suing, and courts must specify whether new damages replace or add to prior relief. This directly affects employees facing these violations and employers subject to such lawsuits.
Maddy summarySB 465 removes outdated restrictions on public construction contracts by repealing specific statutes (16.75(1p), 16.855(1p), 66.0901(1)(ae), (am), (6m), and (6s)). It amends Section 66.0901(6) to allow municipalities to set reasonable conditions for worker pay, hours, and qualifications in public building projects (excluding highways), and to classify contractors based on financial responsibility and ability. This directly affects cities and towns awarding construction contracts for public buildings, giving them more flexibility in contract terms. The bill makes no new policy changes but eliminates existing barriers to municipal oversight of worker conditions and contractor qualifications.
Maddy summarySB 601 creates a Wisconsin income tax deduction for payments on qualified education loans, allowing taxpayers to subtract up to $5,130 annually (adjusted yearly for inflation) for principal or interest paid. It directly affects Wisconsin residents with qualifying education loans who meet federal definition (per IRS Section 221(d)). Key provisions exclude amounts withdrawn from college savings accounts (Sec. 224.50) and prevent double-deduction with federal tax filings. The deduction amount increases annually based on U.S. August CPI changes from the prior year, rounded to the nearest $10. This is a state tax policy change, not a federal one.
Maddy summarySB 615 appropriates $500,000 annually for the University of Wisconsin Missing-in-Action Recovery and Identification Project during the 2025-27 fiscal biennium. The project, managed by the University of Wisconsin System's Board of Regents, directly supports Wisconsin veterans missing in action by funding recovery and identification efforts. The bill requires the project to submit annual reports to state legislative committees, the governor, and veterans' agencies detailing mission outcomes and how funds were used. This funding provides concrete support for resolving cases of Wisconsin veterans who went missing during military service.
Maddy summarySB 515 adjusts Wisconsin's unemployment insurance benefit amounts and wage limits. It sets a new maximum weekly benefit of $370 for claims starting before January 4, 2026, increasing to $497 for claims starting January 4, 2026, through January 2, 2027. The bill also establishes an annual inflation adjustment mechanism using the Consumer Price Index, starting January 3, 2027, to update both the maximum benefit and the $500 wage limit threshold (raised to $672 for 2026-2027). These changes directly affect unemployed workers receiving state unemployment benefits and those earning income while claiming benefits.
Maddy summarySB 438 requires large retailers to clearly show the total tariff cost (import tax) on each sales invoice or receipt for consumer goods. It applies to businesses that sold $3 million or more in consumer goods during the previous calendar year. The law mandates that these documents must list the tariff cost separately from the product price, making it visible to shoppers. This affects major retailers selling consumer goods, not small businesses or services. The bill aims to increase transparency about how import taxes impact final product pricing.