Sen. Rachael Cabral-Guevara

Maddy summarySB 147 allows courts to permit interpreters to participate in civil and criminal trials via telephone or video, rather than requiring in-person attendance. This directly affects parties in court cases who need language assistance, including non-English speakers and their legal representatives. The key provision requires the court to grant permission only upon a party's request and with the consent of all other parties involved. The bill amends existing court procedures to formally enable this remote interpretation option.

Maddy summarySB 281 would allow certified advanced practice nurses who can prescribe medications (under Section 441.16(2)) to also perform radiography, such as taking X-rays. This bill directly affects these nurses by expanding their scope of practice to include radiography without requiring separate certification. The key provision creates a new statutory section (462.02(2)(g)) to explicitly permit this expanded practice. The bill does not change requirements for other radiography professionals or alter existing radiology regulations.

Maddy summarySB 19 creates a fee waiver for Wisconsin state park vehicle admissions for families with 4th graders who have an active Every Kid Outdoors pass from the U.S. National Park Service. It directly affects Wisconsin residents who are parents or guardians of eligible 4th graders, waiving the annual vehicle admission fee (including issuance costs) for vehicles with Wisconsin plates. The bill requires proof of the child's pass and the parent/guardian's ownership of the vehicle. This policy change provides free access to state parks for these families without altering existing park fees for other visitors.

Maddy summarySB 44 prevents local governments (cities, towns, counties) from banning residents from keeping 4 or fewer chickens or quail on residential properties they own or rent in owner-occupied homes. It allows local units to require permits, request neighbor notifications, set housing location rules, ban roosters, and enforce cleanliness standards. The bill directly affects homeowners and renters in residential zones who wish to keep small flocks of poultry. It does not override condominium rules but limits local restrictions on low-scale backyard farming. The law creates clear boundaries for municipal regulation of residential fowl keeping.

Maddy summarySB 230 requires physical retail stores to accept cash for in-person purchases at the point of sale, directly affecting businesses like grocery stores, pharmacies, and shops that operate from a physical location. The bill prohibits stores from refusing cash payments unless legally barred from accepting cash for specific goods or services. Violations would result in fines ranging from $200 to $5,000 per incident, enforceable by the department or district attorneys through civil penalties or court injunctions. This law applies only to face-to-face transactions at physical store locations, not online or phone sales.

Maddy summarySB 195 prohibits public eating places (like restaurants) from serving any product labeled as "maple syrup" unless it consists entirely of maple syrup, as defined by federal regulations (21 CFR 168.140). The bill specifically targets mislabeling, allowing establishments to serve non-maple products only if they are not marketed as maple syrup. It directly affects restaurants and food service businesses that sell syrup-based items. The law creates a clear labeling standard without restricting other menu items. This is a straightforward regulatory measure focused on product transparency.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 58 modifies the information provided on ballots for certain referenda that affect property taxes. It requires these ballot questions to include a good faith estimate of the dollar amount difference a median-valued, single-family residence would experience if the referendum passes, along with the property value used for the estimate. For bond referenda, the bill also mandates the inclusion of the estimated interest rate, total interest accruing, and any fees for bond defeasance. These changes affect voters and local political subdivisions by providing more detailed financial impact information for property tax-related ballot measures.

Maddy summarySB 137 requires pharmacists to dispense lawfully prescribed contraceptives and other drugs without delay, unless specific exceptions apply. It defines "absolute contraindication" (a condition making a drug unsafe) and lists valid refusal reasons, such as prescription errors, drug incompatibility, or fraud. If a pharmacist refuses for religious or moral reasons, they must immediately transfer the prescription to another pharmacy without delay. The bill also prohibits pharmacy benefit managers from penalizing pharmacists for dispensing drugs for off-label uses under a valid prescription.

Maddy summarySB 302 creates a performance-based grant program for regional probation and parole offices, rewarding them with funds when they improve employment rates for individuals on probation, parole, or extended supervision compared to a 2021-2024 baseline. The grant amount is calculated by multiplying the region's improvement in employment rates (for all three supervision categories) by the total number of individuals under supervision and $2,500, but only if the improvement is positive and the region did not experience increased revocations for new crimes. Regional offices must use the funds for employee bonuses, and the department will track and report annually on employment outcomes, recidivism, program changes, and potential cost savings from reduced incarceration.

Maddy summarySB 256 creates state-approved "portable benefit accounts" for app-based delivery and rideshare drivers (defined as "application-based drivers" earning at least $750 quarterly from one company). It allows drivers to deduct contributions to these accounts from state taxable income while imposing a 10% penalty on distributions used for non-permissible purposes (like non-health expenses). The bill modifies tax code sections to treat these accounts similarly to tax-advantaged savings vehicles and requires Department of Financial Institutions approval for their structure. This directly affects gig workers in delivery and rideshare services who meet the earnings threshold.