Sen. Kristin Dassler-Alfheim

Maddy summarySB 504 requires insurance plans that rent their dental provider networks to disclose this practice to dentists. Specifically, plans must include rental notifications in contracts and inform dentists within 45 days if their contract is rented to another entity. The bill also mandates that any entity renting a dental network must honor the original contract terms, including discounted rates, between the dentist and the insurance plan. Dentists can terminate participation with the renting entity without ending their original contract with the insurance plan.

Maddy summarySB 531 allows residential contractors to directly receive insurance payments for repairs after property damage, rather than homeowners having to collect and pay contractors. It specifically covers repairs, replacements, or reconstruction of residential properties, including roof systems and tree removal/repair. The bill includes penalties for violations of these insurance payment rules. This change primarily affects homeowners and contractors dealing with property damage claims, streamlining how repair funds flow. The bill passed its final reading on November 18, 2025, and was sent to the governor.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state and local government agencies to prioritize purchasing materials manufactured in the United States when all other factors are equal, unless federal law or international agreements prohibit it. It mandates that contracts for public works projects include provisions requiring contractors to use domestically manufactured materials, with exemptions for commercial resale, stationery, printing supplies, and situations where U.S. materials are unavailable or foreign nations offer similar purchasing preferences. Local municipalities are also restricted from using bidding methods that favor bidders based on geographic location, except when necessary to secure federal aid. The bill grants the relevant state department authority to define what constitutes U.S. manufacturing through rule-making.

Maddy summarySB 379 creates a $2,000 refundable individual income tax credit for Wisconsin parents who experience a stillbirth (defined as a birth requiring a fetal death report under state law). The credit applies to the taxable year of the stillbirth and is refundable, meaning parents who owe less in taxes than $2,000 will receive the difference as a cash payment from the state. Eligibility requires being a Wisconsin resident filing a joint or separate return, with specific limits: $2,000 total for married couples filing jointly, $1,000 each for unmarried parents or separate returns. Proof of eligibility, such as a fetal death report, must be submitted with the tax return.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow Wisconsin school districts to increase their revenue limits when they spend money on energy efficiency projects. If a school board chooses to participate, the district's spending on energy-saving measures, including debt payments for bonds or loans used to finance those projects, would count toward raising the revenue cap for that school year. To qualify, projects must reduce energy or operational costs, follow a performance contract, and have financing terms of 20 years or less. The legislation also defines eligible projects as facility upgrades, training programs, or services that lower energy use, conserve water, or improve metering accuracy.

Maddy summarySB 1021 requires adult family homes and residential care apartment complexes to implement specific safety measures. It mandates fall prevention and recovery training for all staff and residents within 30 days of move-in (unless medically certified otherwise), and requires facilities to maintain at least one certified CPR provider, one certified first aid provider, and one staff member trained in fall recovery and safe lifting techniques on-site at all times. The bill also establishes a duty for facilities to provide immediate CPR or first aid during medical emergencies (pending emergency services) and to attempt safe lifting of fallen, uninjured residents before calling for help. These requirements directly affect staff and residents in these residential care facilities.

Maddy summarySB 826 allows healthcare providers to vaccinate minors aged 16 or older without parental consent if the minor requests it. The bill requires providers to obtain the minor’s consent before billing insurance or other third parties for the vaccination. If the minor declines third-party billing, they are responsible for payment directly to the provider, following existing fee guidelines. This applies specifically to medically appropriate vaccines and affects minors aged 16+, healthcare providers, and third-party payers. The bill does not change parental rights for minors under 16.

Maddy summarySB 842 creates a program to fund violence prevention initiatives using tax revenue from vapor products. It directs local health departments and tribal health centers to apply for grants to run violence prevention programs or award subgrants to community organizations, while explicitly prohibiting funds from going to law enforcement agencies or entities working with them. The bill appropriates $30,000 for administrative staffing in fiscal year 2025-26 and $120,000 for 2026-27 to manage the program, with grant applications due annually by June 30. This policy change directly affects local health entities and tribal health centers by providing dedicated funding streams for community-based violence prevention work.

Maddy summarySB 729 imposes annual fees on large energy customers (primarily large data centers) based on their peak electricity demand: $2 million for 100-250 MW, $3 million for 250-500 MW, and $1 million more for each additional 250 MW. Fifty percent of these fees fund the Green Innovation Fund via the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. The bill also requires data centers to report actual water usage annually and certify compliance with sustainable building standards (like LEED or BREEAM) within three years of operation. It defines "large-scale data centers" as projects costing $250 million+ in construction or equipment over 60 months.

Maddy summarySB 798 establishes a "wetland assured delineation program" that allows certified professionals to identify wetland boundaries for development projects without requiring final government confirmation. To qualify, professionals must meet specific education/experience requirements (e.g., bachelor’s degree with 5 years’ field experience) and submit reports by March 15 annually. This program directly affects land developers, environmental consultants, and property owners needing wetland assessments, as certified delineators’ work will carry the same legal weight as government-verified reports under state law. The bill also extends deadlines for emergency rule procedures and grants the Department of Natural Resources authority to implement program rules.