Sen. Howard Marklein

Maddy summarySB 409 updates traffic laws to require drivers to exercise caution when approaching stopped emergency or roadside service vehicles, or disabled vehicles (defined as vehicles showing warning lights, flares, or attended by people). Drivers must either safely change lanes away from the stopped vehicle if possible, or slow down and proceed at a reduced speed until clear. The law applies to all drivers approaching these stopped vehicles within 12 feet of a roadway. It creates clear, specific actions for drivers to improve safety around roadside stops without changing existing penalties.

Maddy summarySJR 87 is a resolution by the Wisconsin Legislature to commemorate the U.S. Marine Corps' 250th anniversary on November 10, 2025, marking the date the Continental Congress authorized its founding in 1775. It recognizes the Corps' historical service and acknowledges Marines training at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin, including their role in activities like the Cold Weather Operations Course. The resolution expresses legislative appreciation but does not create new laws, funding, or legal obligations. It is a symbolic gesture celebrating military heritage without imposing concrete policy changes.

Maddy summarySB 524 would raise the legal age for purchasing, selling, and possessing cigarettes, nicotine products, tobacco, and electronic vaping devices from 18 to 21 years. It directly affects retailers, vendors, and individuals under 21 who would no longer be permitted to buy these products. Key provisions include requiring retailers to train staff on age verification, post warning signs, and restrict vending machine sales to locations where minors cannot access them without supervision. The bill also defines electronic vaping devices broadly but excludes FDA-approved nicotine cessation products. Violations could result in penalties, though specific fines are not detailed in the provided text.

Maddy summarySB 427 establishes new rules for renting mobile and manufactured homes in communities. It requires annual leases for sites (unless both parties agree to a shorter term), prohibits denying leases based on a home's age, and lists specific, allowed reasons for terminating tenancy (like failure to sign a lease or violating community rules about multiple homes). The bill also mandates 90 days' written notice to all residents before permanently closing a community or site. These changes directly affect mobile home park residents and operators by clarifying lease terms and termination procedures.

Maddy summarySB 286 is a technical amendment to update the reference year in a bill related to workforce housing and childcare awards under the business development tax credit, changing "2025" to "2026" in the text. It does not create new policy or affect any specific entities, as it only corrects a calendar year reference in the bill's language. This is a procedural change to align the bill with the current legislative session year. No substantive policy changes or new provisions are introduced by this amendment.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 196 proposes various changes to unemployment insurance law, primarily affecting individuals receiving benefits and employers. It allows employers to report to the state unemployment department if an individual declines job interviews or offers, or fails to respond to or attend them. The bill also tightens work search requirements for benefit recipients, specifying that actions like declining a job interview may mean a claimant did not conduct a reasonable job search. Furthermore, it mandates the department to recover overpaid benefits from claimants who fail to meet work search requirements or whose security credentials are misused due to their actions.

Maddy summarySB 168 modifies Wisconsin's worker's compensation law to adjust how mental injury claims (specifically PTSD) are handled for certain public safety and emergency response professionals. It directly affects emergency medical responders, emergency medical services practitioners, volunteer firefighters, correctional officers, emergency dispatchers, coroners, medical examiners, and their staff. The bill creates new statutory definitions for these roles and requires that PTSD claims for these workers meet specific conditions to be compensable, rather than automatically covering all mental injuries without physical trauma. This change clarifies the process for filing such claims under the state's worker's compensation system.

Maddy summarySB 598 would require the state health department to seek a federal Medicaid waiver enabling coverage for incarcerated individuals in the Medical Assistance program (state Medicaid) up to 90 days before release. It specifically covers case management, medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders, and a 30-day supply of prescription medications for those already eligible for Medical Assistance. If approved, the federal government would fund the program’s share of these services, with the state covering its portion. This bill directly affects incarcerated individuals transitioning to community care, aiming to improve continuity of health services upon release.

Maddy summarySB 670 increases fees for nonresident hunting, fishing, and trapping permits in Wisconsin. The bill raises specific fee amounts across multiple categories, such as daily vehicle admission from $19.85 to $29.85, annual small game licenses from $87.25 to $107.25, and deer hunting permits from $197.25 to $237.25. These changes directly affect nonresidents (individuals with out-of-state vehicle registration) seeking permits for recreational hunting, fishing, or trapping activities. The fee increases take effect March 1, 2026, as specified in the bill's effective date section.

Maddy summarySB 658 creates a tax credit for insurance companies that invest in community development entities (CDEs) focused on low-income communities. Insurers can claim a credit equal to 0% of their investment for the first two years and 10% for the next five years, based on the investment amount, against certain insurance fees. The credit applies only to investments where CDEs use at least 100% of funds to support qualified low-income businesses with operations in Wisconsin's rural counties ($125 million allocation) or metro counties ($125 million allocation). This policy directly affects insurers, CDEs, and qualifying businesses in targeted communities, aiming to incentivize private investment in economic development.