Sen. Mark Spreitzer

Maddy summarySB 984 requires the Department of Transportation to notify local governments, school districts, and tribal governments before selling surplus land. These entities have 60 days to express interest in acquiring the land for public use, such as parks or transportation projects. If they show interest, the DOT must offer the land at appraised value (or below for transportation projects) only if they provide a detailed public use plan and agree to permanent restrictions on the land's use. The bill ensures surplus land is prioritized for public purposes rather than general sale. Ownership transfers only after payment and confirmation the land will be used as planned.

Maddy summarySB 1006 designates specific highway segments as memorial routes honoring eight deceased Wisconsin State Troopers. The bill requires the Department of Transportation to erect and maintain markers on these routes only after receiving sufficient private contributions from counties, cities, or other interested parties (no state funds may be used). It names routes including STH 23 near Green Lake (Trooper Donald C. Pederson), I-94 near Eau Claire (Trooper Debbie M. McMenamin), and I-90 near Lake Delton (Trooper Anthony J. Borostowski), among others. The measure is purely commemorative, creating no new state obligations or policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Joint Resolution (SJR 134) is a symbolic proclamation designating February 2026 as Black History Month in Wisconsin. It honors the contributions of eight notable African American Wisconsinites - such as civil rights leader Lloyd Barbee, first Black state legislator Marcia Coggs, and community leaders Clinton and Bernice Rose - while recognizing the historical significance of Black history in the state and nation. The resolution has no binding legal effect but serves to formally acknowledge these figures and the broader observance of Black History Month.

Maddy summarySJR 135 is a symbolic resolution commemorating the 250th anniversary of the 1776 Boston siege withdrawal (a key Revolutionary War victory) and recognizing Irish American contributions to American independence. It highlights historical connections, including Irish immigrant soldiers like General John Sullivan, eight Irish American Declaration of Independence signers, and Irish emigrant roles in the military and printing the Declaration. The resolution has no binding effect; it formally acknowledges these historical events and directs the Senate clerk to share copies with Irish officials. As a commemorative measure, it does not create new laws or affect any individuals or policies.

Maddy summarySB 924 creates a state grant program to help municipalities purchase election supplies and equipment, such as electronic poll books and accessibility tools. It provides tiered funding based on population: up to $2.5 million for cities over 250,000 residents, $1 million for 100,000-250,000, $500,000 for 50,000-100,000, and $250,000 for smaller communities. Municipalities must agree to random inspections of purchased equipment and apply before general elections, with a minimum grant of $250. The bill appropriates $5 million biennially for this program, administered by the Elections Commission.

Maddy summarySJR 130 is a ceremonial joint resolution celebrating Wisconsin athletes competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Italy. It formally recognizes the state's athletes, including those in cross-country skiing, biathlon, wheelchair curling, sled hockey, and other sports, by urging the Wisconsin Legislature to honor their participation. The resolution has no binding effect or policy changes; it serves solely as a symbolic gesture of support. It directly affects Wisconsin athletes by acknowledging their representation of the state on an international stage.

Maddy summarySB 958 creates a dedicated "Water Fund for Our Future" with $250 million transferred from the general fund for state water infrastructure and emergency response. It establishes a rapid response account within the fund to cover costs for natural disasters and public health emergencies, including remediation, relocation, and assistance for affected individuals. A joint legislative committee oversees fund spending, ensuring money is only used for clean water activities and requiring written recommendations for funding requests. The fund also includes provisions for transferring unspent balances to the budget stabilization fund during fiscal shortages.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans to cover vaccines recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for children under 6 years old. If the CDC withdraws its recommendations, insurers must instead cover vaccines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics or American Academy of Family Physicians. It applies to all health insurance plans, including self-insured state/local government plans, covering dependent children. The law ensures continuous vaccine coverage regardless of changes to CDC guidelines.

Maddy summarySB 1052 requires Wisconsin school districts to include at least 45 minutes of daily self-directed preparation time in teachers' schedules, or one full class period if longer. This applies to teachers in 1st class city school districts under collective bargaining agreements or employment contracts. The requirement takes effect when current contracts expire or are renewed, whichever comes first. The bill establishes this as a new statutory standard (120.12(30)) without specifying funding or enforcement details.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SJR 136) is a symbolic recognition by the Wisconsin Legislature that February is designated as Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. It does not create new laws or directly affect specific groups, but it aims to raise public awareness about teen dating violence - highlighting statistics like one in five teens experiencing abuse and two in three victims not reporting it - by encouraging community education and support for prevention efforts.