Sen. Mark Spreitzer

Maddy summarySB 258 modifies statutes to allow certified licensed advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to certify physical disabilities for permit applications, expanding the list of eligible professionals alongside physicians and other healthcare providers. Specifically, it amends sections 29.193 to permit APRNs to prepare and sign medical reports verifying physical disabilities for applicants seeking permits, replacing "licensed physician" with a broader list that includes APRNs in these contexts. The bill also makes technical changes to other statutes related to APRNs' practice authority but does not alter core scope-of-practice rules. This directly affects applicants for disability permits who may now use APRNs for required medical certifications. The bill focuses on administrative updates rather than new policy mandates.

Maddy summarySJR 63 is a symbolic resolution that officially designates June as "Dairy Month" in Wisconsin. It recognizes the state's long history with dairy, from early 19th-century farmers to modern contributions, including the industry's $45.6 billion annual economic impact and over 6,000 dairy farms. The resolution has no new requirements or funding - it simply honors dairy farmers' role in Wisconsin's heritage and identity through a formal proclamation. It directly affects the state's dairy industry and its cultural recognition, but does not create new laws or policies. This is a ceremonial gesture, not a substantive legislative change.

Maddy summarySJR 51 is a ceremonial resolution declaring May as Eye Health Awareness Month in Wisconsin. It does not create new laws but formally designates the month to highlight the importance of eye health. The resolution encourages all Wisconsin residents to prioritize eye care through regular exams and protective measures like wearing sunglasses, while urging public and private organizations to support related education and resources. This resolution directly affects Wisconsin residents and community entities by promoting awareness of preventable vision conditions such as cataracts and glaucoma.

Maddy summarySB 490 amends Wisconsin's prevailing wage laws to establish a statewide standard for construction projects funded by public entities. It creates new privacy protections (Section 1), prohibiting authorities from sharing employee names or personally identifiable information without consent on projects subject to prevailing wage rules. The bill also defines key terms like "prevailing wage rate" (Section 6), clarifies that local governments cannot impose stricter wage requirements than the state standard (Section 8), and specifies which projects qualify for prevailing wage coverage (Sections 2-9). These changes directly affect contractors bidding on public works projects and local governments administering construction contracts.

Maddy summarySB 617 designates November 11 (Veterans Day) as an official state holiday when offices of Wisconsin state government must close. It adds November 11 to the list of required closing days in state statute (230.35(4)(a)5m) and amends existing provisions to include Veterans Day as a paid holiday for state employees. The bill specifies that all state employees (except limited-term hires) will receive 9-10 paid holidays annually, with Veterans Day now counting toward that total. This change takes effect January 1 following publication, aligning Wisconsin state government operations with Veterans Day observance.

Maddy summarySB 602 prohibits virtual schools (online-only schools) from participating in Wisconsin's parental choice programs, such as school voucher initiatives. It adds new requirements to statutes governing these programs, stating that participating private schools must not be classified as "virtual schools" under state law. This rule applies to the 2026-27 school year, directly affecting private schools seeking to join choice programs by excluding those that operate entirely online. The bill changes eligibility rules without altering funding amounts or creating new financial mechanisms.

Maddy summarySB 604 requires teachers and administrators in private schools participating in Wisconsin’s parental choice programs (like voucher programs) and the Special Needs Scholarship Program to hold state-issued teaching licenses starting July 1, 2027. It creates a 5-year temporary waiver for current staff with at least five years of experience who don’t yet meet licensing requirements, valid until July 1, 2032. The bill exempts teachers of rabbinical studies from the license requirement. It amends existing laws to enforce these standards while granting the state education department rule-making authority to implement the changes.

Maddy summarySB 547 eliminates specific abortion-related regulations in Wisconsin statutes. It repeals requirements for parental consent for minors seeking abortions (repealing 253.10), mandatory ultrasounds (repealing 441.07), and certain medical certification rules (repealing 457.26 and 940.15). The bill also amends provisions related to medical emergency definitions and updates references to "induced abortion" in other laws. These changes directly affect healthcare providers by removing reporting burdens and minors seeking abortion services by eliminating parental consent and ultrasound mandates. The bill takes effect March 1, 2026, after repeal of the referenced statutes.

Maddy summarySB 557 creates two new biennial grant programs for disaster assistance: a $10 million program for individuals and a $20 million program for businesses. The bill directly affects residents and businesses impacted by disasters by establishing recurring state funding for these grants. Key provisions specify the exact annual funding amounts ($10M for individuals, $20M for businesses) to be allocated every two years, as shown in the bill's fiscal schedule. The legislation does not change eligibility rules or application processes but solely authorizes the appropriations for these existing assistance types.

Maddy summarySB 594 allows local governments (counties, cities, towns, school districts) to adopt ranked-choice voting for nonpartisan local elections. It defines ranked-choice voting as a system where voters rank candidates in order of preference for each office, and requires local governing bodies to adopt it via ordinance or resolution - prohibiting primaries for these races. The bill also creates a grant program to fund local governments' equipment and software upgrades for implementing ranked-choice voting. It applies only to nonpartisan local elections, not state-level or partisan races.