Sen. Melissa Ratcliff

Maddy summarySB 1077 requires health insurance plans - including self-insured plans operated by state/local governments - to cover prosthetic limbs and custom orthotic braces when medically necessary for daily activities, job functions, or bathing. It mandates coverage equal to federal standards (42 USC 1395k-1395m), including materials, repairs, and replacement without lifetime restrictions if repairs exceed 60% of replacement costs. The law applies to all covered individuals (enrollees in private plans or government self-insured plans) and requires insurers to provide written explanations for coverage denials based on medical necessity. It also ensures access to at least two in-network providers for these devices.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SJR 117) honoring the late Representative Rudolph L. "Rudy" Silbaugh, who served in the Wisconsin State Assembly from 1991 to 1997 representing the 46th District. It recognizes his 30+ years of public service, including his work on committees related to aging, small business, and seniors' healthcare, as well as his community involvement. The resolution has no policy impact - it solely expresses the Legislature's commemoration of his life and service.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SJR 118) that formally congratulates the Grafton Black Hawks high school football team for winning the 2025 Wisconsin State Football Championship. It recognizes their perfect 14-0 season, championship victory at Camp Randall Stadium, and the team's emphasis on teamwork and sportsmanship. The resolution does not create any new laws, policies, or funding - it solely offers symbolic recognition from the Wisconsin Legislature to the team, coaches, and community. It directly affects the Grafton Black Hawks football program and the Grafton community by publicly honoring their championship achievement.

Maddy summarySB 811 would increase funding for the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to add two full-time equivalent positions focused on regional farmer support. The bill proposes adding $150,400 for fiscal year 2025-26 to authorize these positions and $200,500 for fiscal year 2026-27 to cover their operational costs. These positions would provide direct on-the-ground assistance to farmers across different regions of the state. The bill, introduced in January 2026, is currently pending in the Agriculture and Revenue Committee.

Maddy summarySB 804 prohibits government funding for investigations into pregnancy outcomes (such as miscarriage, stillbirth, or abortion) when the person experiencing the outcome is the alleged crime suspect. It bans law enforcement from treating pregnancy outcomes as criminal matters and requires consent before investigating cases where a crime relates to another person's pregnancy. The bill also exempts women from civil or criminal liability for their own pregnancy outcomes, including miscarriage or abortion, and clarifies that legal definitions of "corpse" do not apply to fetal tissue from non-live births. These provisions directly affect women experiencing pregnancy outcomes and law enforcement agencies handling such cases.

Maddy summarySB 807 creates a new Office of the Public Affairs Network within Wisconsin's Department of Administration to provide live, unedited online coverage of state government proceedings. The office must stream real-time video and audio of legislative sessions, court hearings, agency meetings, and related public events, while maintaining permanent online archives accessible without registration or fees. It allocates $2 million biennially for operations and transitions WisconsinEye's existing digital archives and equipment to the state. The bill establishes a board with gubernatorial, legislative, and public members to oversee the network's nonpartisan operation.

Maddy summarySB 854 creates a new funding line to support county conservation staff focused on climate change resiliency. It directly affects counties with approved land and water resource management plans, requiring them to request funding for climate-focused personnel in annual grant applications. The bill adds a specific appropriation of $1.8 million for the 2026-27 fiscal year under statute 20.115(7)(f) for "soil and water management; climate change personnel." This establishes a dedicated funding mechanism for counties to hire or retain staff addressing climate impacts, separate from existing conservation program funding.

Maddy summarySB 852 adjusts the state's reimbursement rate for special education and school-age parent programs costs. For the 2025-26 school year, eligible costs will be reimbursed at 42% of total costs; starting in 2026-27, this rate increases to 45%. The bill directly affects school districts and programs that provide special education services and school-age parent programs under specific statutes. This change modifies how state funds are distributed to cover these eligible costs, without altering the total appropriation amount.

Maddy summarySB 855 allocates $200,000 annually for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 to fund two full-time research positions at the University of Wisconsin-Madison focused on agriculture and climate change. These positions must use existing vacant research slots, increase the total research staff count, and be assigned to UW-Madison's Division of Extension. The bill modifies the state budget to provide this funding without creating new positions or changing existing law. It directly affects UW-Madison's research staffing structure and extension programs.

Maddy summarySB 827 creates a framework allowing counties, cities, villages, and towns to adopt stricter energy efficiency standards for buildings than the state's current baseline code. It establishes a state working group to develop a "stretch energy code" by December 2026, with separate residential and commercial requirements exceeding existing minimums. Local governments can then choose to adopt these stricter standards through local ordinances. The bill does not set specific energy requirements but enables future adoption of higher-efficiency building standards.