Sen. Kristin Dassler-Alfheim

Maddy summarySB 584 designates the wild turkey (meleagris gallopavo) as Wisconsin's state game bird and the ruffed grouse (bonasa umbellus) as the state upland game bird. The bill amends Wisconsin statutes to add these designations to the list of official state symbols included in the Wisconsin Blue Book. This is a symbolic change with no new policies or regulations; it simply updates the state's official records to recognize these birds. The bill affects state identity and official documentation but does not impact laws, funding, or citizen rights.

Maddy summarySB 562 requires recipients of economic development grants or loans exceeding $500,000 to submit detailed expenditure reports within 120 days after their fiscal year ends, including verification from an independent auditor. It mandates that these recipients provide supporting documents for inspection and includes these reporting requirements in grant contracts. The bill exempts local governments (cities, counties, tribes) and University of Wisconsin System institutions if they already include these funds in standard annual audits and submit those audits within 120 days of program completion. This change directly affects organizations receiving significant state economic development funding, adding reporting obligations unless they meet existing audit standards. The policy focuses on ensuring proper use of public funds through standardized financial reporting.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Wisconsin's school funding formulas by increasing state appropriations by $493.8 million for the 2025-26 school year and $699.9 million for 2026-27. It adjusts per-pupil revenue limits to add $325 for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years, and establishes a new supplemental hold harmless aid provision to prevent school districts from receiving less state aid than calculated in the 2024-25 school year. These changes directly affect all public school districts in Wisconsin that receive state educational funding. The bill replaces previous funding mechanisms with updated formulas while maintaining specific financial adjustments for affected school years.

Maddy summarySB 382 modifies the state's historic rehabilitation tax credit program. It requires that qualified rehabilitation expenditures for a building must total at least $50,000 over a 24-month period to count toward the credit. The bill also clarifies that state certification by the historic preservation officer is needed if taxpayers do not claim the federal credit for the same rehabilitation work. This directly affects property owners and developers seeking tax credits for rehabilitating historic buildings. The changes standardize eligibility criteria and align with federal definitions for the credit.

Maddy summarySB 336 establishes new rules for private firearm transfers in Wisconsin, primarily affecting individuals selling or gifting firearms to non-family members. The bill requires background checks for most private sales through a firearms dealer, including a $10 fee per check, and creates an exception for transfers to family members (spouse, parent, child, etc.) if the recipient is 18+ and not prohibited from owning firearms. Violating these rules results in a misdemeanor charge with fines up to $10,000 or a 2-year firearms possession ban. The law also mandates new forms requiring buyers to certify they won’t transfer firearms to prohibited individuals, with false statements classified as a felony.

Maddy summarySB 513 requires public high school districts to provide voter registration forms and nonpartisan voting information to students who become eligible to vote (typically age 18). Schools must distribute the state-prescribed registration form along with materials explaining voting's role in democracy. This applies to students meeting voting eligibility criteria within their school district. The bill aims to increase voter registration accessibility during high school, directly affecting eligible students and school districts.

Maddy summarySB 572 establishes new rules for selling and reselling entertainment event tickets. It requires sellers to clearly disclose the total price (including all fees), seat details, and itemized costs before purchase. The bill bans selling tickets not in a seller’s possession ("speculative sales"), restricts reselling tickets before public sales or through fan clubs, and prohibits deceptive practices like using artist names without permission. It also mandates full refunds within 10 days for canceled events, counterfeit tickets, or tickets that don’t match descriptions.

Maddy summarySB 512 allows public high schools to serve as voter registration sites for enrolled students and school staff during regular school days. It requires municipal clerks to work with school boards to appoint special registration deputies at each high school, who collect completed forms and forward them to the municipal clerk. Students who register while under 18 will be automatically added to the voter rolls when they turn 18, provided they meet eligibility requirements. The bill directly affects high school students and staff in municipalities with public high schools, streamlining registration access during the school year. Private and tribal high schools with many local residents may also participate under specific conditions.

Maddy summarySJR 102 is a symbolic resolution honoring the 200th anniversary of Norwegian immigration to the United States. It commemorates the 1825 voyage of the sloop *Restauration*, which carried Norwegian immigrants seeking religious freedom to the U.S., and acknowledges that over 800,000 Norwegians emigrated to America between 1825 and 1925, with Wisconsin becoming home to 25% of Norwegian Americans by 1900. The resolution formally designates 2025 as the year to celebrate this bicentennial, recognizing the cultural impact of Norwegian immigrants on Wisconsin and U.S. history. As a commemorative resolution, it has no binding effect or policy changes.

Maddy summarySB 518 requires all polling places to be accessible to voters with disabilities, mandating election officials to use a standardized accessibility checklist on election day to identify and address barriers. It also requires the election commission to submit annual reports (by June 30 in odd-numbered years) on voting barriers faced by elderly and disabled voters, consulting disability advocacy groups. Additionally, the bill creates uniform requirements for signs at polling places to notify voters with disabilities about available ballot assistance. These changes apply to election commissions, polling places, and voters with disabilities, taking effect before the 2027 spring election.