Sen. Mark Spreitzer

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 150 requires the state legislature to create and pass a plan by the 2025-26 session to reduce the state's carbon emissions by 52% by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The bill directly affects the state government, which must develop this plan, and will impact all residents and businesses through new emission regulations. Key provisions include setting specific emission reduction targets and mandating that the plan prioritize improvements in economic and racial equity. The bill focuses on establishing concrete, time-bound goals rather than detailing specific regulatory mechanisms.

Maddy summarySB 348 requires school districts to provide training for staff on addressing student mental health, directly affecting public schools and their employees. The bill adds $500,000 for fiscal year 2025-26 and another $500,000 for 2026-27 to the state’s existing budget for the Department of Public Instruction to fund these training programs. This funding is specifically designated to support mental health training initiatives in schools, with no changes to existing curriculum requirements. The bill takes effect after the 2025 biennial budget is published.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SJR 91) that declares October 2025 and October 2026 as "Breast Cancer Awareness Months" in Wisconsin. It does not create new laws or allocate funds - it is a symbolic gesture to promote public awareness, early detection, and treatment of breast cancer. The resolution cites Wisconsin-specific statistics on breast cancer incidence and mortality to highlight the issue. It directly affects Wisconsin residents by encouraging community-focused awareness efforts during those months.

Maddy summarySB 527 clarifies rules for skateboard and in-line skate use on roadways. It defines skateboards as non-motorized devices and prohibits attaching them to vehicles or riding on certain roadways under state jurisdiction. Local governments may create ordinances restricting skateboard use on their roads (except at crosswalks), while riders must follow safety rules like riding carefully. The bill also updates vehicle definitions to exclude skateboards and in-line skates from certain categories. These changes aim to standardize safety expectations and local authority over sidewalk and roadway access.

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 summarySJR 78 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Chief Justice Ann Walsh Bradley upon her retirement from the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The resolution formally expresses the Wisconsin Legislature's appreciation for her decades of service, including her historic role as the first woman elected to the Wisconsin Supreme Court (1995) and her leadership as Chief Justice (2025). It recognizes her career milestones, community involvement, and global work advancing gender and human rights through judicial organizations. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but serves as a symbolic tribute to her service.

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.

Maddy summarySB 429 prohibits most people from possessing a firearm on the grounds of a university or college, including buildings and land owned or leased by the institution. It designates this as a Class A misdemeanor, with specific exceptions for law enforcement officers, military personnel on duty, individuals leasing residential or business space on campus, and those using firearms for approved programs. The bill creates the first dedicated prohibition for campus firearm possession, replacing a previous exemption under unrelated statutes. This change directly affects students, staff, and visitors on campus who are not exempt, with violations treated as serious offenses under criminal law.

Maddy summarySB 581 amends Wisconsin statutes to clarify and strengthen shared governance roles for faculty, academic staff, and students at University of Wisconsin System institutions. The bill gives faculty primary responsibility for advising on academic matters and requires STEM representation in faculty governance structures. Academic staff gain defined roles in shaping policies affecting their work, while students gain formal input on student life policies and control over fees supporting campus activities. These changes directly affect all faculty, academic staff, and students across UW System campuses by defining their specific participatory roles in institutional decision-making.