Sen. Melissa Ratcliff

Maddy summarySB 801 modifies Wisconsin election laws to require early canvassing of absentee ballots by municipal boards in certain jurisdictions, shifting processing from polling places to dedicated canvassing meetings. It sets a strict 8 p.m. election day deadline for delivering absentee ballots to election inspectors or canvassing boards, with specific procedures for military and overseas voters. The bill also establishes penalties for violations, though the exact penalties aren't detailed in the provided text. These changes directly affect municipal clerks, election boards, and voters requesting absentee ballots.

Maddy summarySB 840 creates new funding streams to support Wisconsin's Agricultural Conservation Easement Purchase Program, which helps farmers protect working land by restricting development. The bill allocates funds from the "working lands fund" and "capital improvement fund" to cover costs for purchasing conservation easements, with a maximum $25 million public debt limit for these purchases. It directly affects farmers who participate in the program and the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, which administers the easement acquisitions. The legislation modifies existing statutes to establish these funding mechanisms and streamline payments related to easement agreements.

Maddy summarySB 817 creates a state program to provide electronic payment processing equipment and services (including SNAP/food stamp processing) to farmers' markets and farmers selling directly to consumers. It allocates $367,500 biennially for this purpose and increases the healthy food incentive program appropriation by $1 million annually for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27. The bill requires payment processors to handle both SNAP transactions and local purchasing incentives funded by third parties. It directly affects farmers' markets, vendors, and SNAP participants by improving access to electronic payments. The program is administered by the Department of Health Services with new staffing support.

Maddy summarySB 823 establishes specific spending limits for Wisconsin's agricultural exports program. It requires $2.5 million to be spent on one export objective, $1.25 million each for two other objectives, and caps total annual spending at $1 million. The bill also increases funding for the program by $1.07 million for fiscal year 2025-26 and $1.09 million for 2026-27. Additionally, it adds one administrative position (1.0 FTE) within the Department of Agriculture to manage the program. The bill directly affects the Center for International Agribusiness Marketing and the Department of Agriculture, which administer the program.

Maddy summarySB 829 increases state funding for two Wisconsin economic development programs. It adds $200,000 annually for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 to promote "Something Special from Wisconsin" (advertising the state's products), and $300,000 annually for the same periods to fund "Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin" grants. These grants support Wisconsin businesses selling locally produced goods, while the promotion campaign helps market Wisconsin-made products. The bill directly affects Wisconsin businesses participating in these programs and the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, which administers both initiatives.

Maddy summarySB 828 creates a $10 million annual grant program for students enrolled in approved teacher education programs at Wisconsin institutions of higher education, requiring recipients to teach in Wisconsin public or tribal schools for at least four years after graduation. It reduces the state's reimbursement rate for special education costs from 100% to 90% of eligible expenses. The bill also adjusts annual revenue limits for school districts, increasing allowable funding growth for the 2023-2027 school years through revised calculation formulas. These changes affect teacher training programs, school districts, and special education funding mechanisms.

Maddy summarySB 841 creates a program to fund local governments in Wisconsin to implement farmland preservation plans through grants. It establishes annual adjustments to the farmland preservation tax credit for inflation using agricultural price data, ensuring the credit amount increases with rising costs. The bill also sets maximum acreage limits for agricultural enterprise areas and authorizes funding for activities like zoning certification, farmland preservation agreements, and monitoring compliance. These changes directly affect Wisconsin farmers (through the tax credit) and local governments (through grant eligibility). The policy shifts focus to maintaining agricultural land by making preservation tools more adaptable to economic changes.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Joint Resolution (SJR 119) is a ceremonial resolution formally congratulating the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh women’s volleyball team for winning the 2025 NCAA Division III National Championship. It recognizes their historic first national title, flawless tournament performance (6 wins, no sets dropped), 34-3 overall record, and academic achievements (3.6 team GPA). The resolution serves as symbolic recognition from the Wisconsin Legislature to the team, coaches, and university community, highlighting their athletic and academic excellence. As a non-binding resolution, it has no policy or financial impact and does not affect any individuals or entities beyond expressing legislative commendation.

Maddy summarySB 806 creates a $25 million annual appropriation for "Main Street Bounceback Grants" to help businesses open new locations or expand operations in vacant commercial spaces. The grants, administered by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, directly assist eligible businesses (excluding nonprofits) seeking to revitalize underutilized downtown areas. The bill requires eligibility rules to mirror the existing Wisconsin Tomorrow Main Street Bounceback Grant program as of June 30, 2023. This provides a dedicated funding stream for business expansion in vacant commercial properties, with $25 million allocated for each of the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates February 4, 2026, as "Transit Equity Day" in Wisconsin. It commemorates Rosa Parks' historic protest against unequal public transit access and acknowledges ongoing disparities in transit affordability and accessibility for people of color, low-income residents, and people with disabilities. The resolution serves as a symbolic observance to highlight efforts toward equitable transit systems, with no new policies or funding mechanisms attached.