Sen. Rachael Cabral-Guevara

Maddy summarySB 304 requires municipal clerk offices and designated alternate sites to be open for at least 20 total hours during in-person absentee ballot application periods. It updates deadlines: voters applying in person must do so between 14 days before an election and the Sunday before, with specific hours published in election notices. Military voters and sequestered jurors may apply until 5 p.m. on election day, while other voters must apply by 5 p.m. on the Friday before. The bill standardizes notice requirements and access hours for absentee ballot applications.

Maddy summarySB 242 sets a maximum ratio of one journeyworker (skilled tradesperson) for every two apprentices in apprenticeship programs and contracts. It prohibits state agencies from requiring a stricter ratio (e.g., more journeyworkers per apprentice) through rules, program approvals, or contracts. The bill directly affects apprenticeship programs, contractors, and unions operating under collective bargaining agreements. It takes effect when existing collective bargaining agreements expire or are renewed, modifying how these agreements must align with the new ratio standard.

Maddy summarySB 334 designates the monarch butterfly as Wisconsin's official state butterfly. It adds a new section (1.10(3)(w)) to state statutes declaring this designation and amends another section (1.10(4)) to include "butterfly" in the list of symbols featured in the Wisconsin Blue Book. The bill directly affects state symbolism by formally recognizing the monarch butterfly alongside existing symbols like the state bird and flower. This is a procedural, non-regulatory change with no funding or policy impacts, solely updating official state identifiers.

Maddy summarySB 364 updates Wisconsin's regulations for family and group child care centers. It increases the maximum number of children allowed in a family child care center from 8 to 12 and adjusts licensing fees to be paid every two years, with fees based on the number of children served (e.g., $60.50 biennially for centers serving 4-12 children). The bill also requires child care centers to provide staff training on preventing sudden infant death syndrome for infants under one year and mandates foster parents to complete approved training on caring for foster children. These changes directly affect licensed child care centers, foster parents, and kinship care providers by updating licensing rules, fee structures, and mandatory training requirements.

Maddy summarySB 94 creates a new civil cause of action for people injured or whose property was damaged during riots or vandalism. It allows victims to sue not only the person who committed the violent act but also anyone who provided "material support" (like weapons, funds, or equipment) with the intent to help commit the offense. The bill establishes a legal presumption that property damage was a natural consequence of the riot/vandalism, making it easier for victims to recover repair costs and other damages. It also prohibits government officials from restricting law enforcement’s authority to arrest participants or quell such activities. This directly affects victims, perpetrators, material supporters, and law enforcement agencies across the state.

Maddy summarySB 265 requires Wisconsin state parks to waive all daily admission fees and related charges on April 22 each year to honor Earth Day and its founder, Gaylord Nelson. This policy change directly affects all visitors to state parks on April 22, eliminating the cost of entry for that specific day. The bill creates a new statutory provision (27.01(9)(b)) that automatically applies the fee waiver without requiring additional action. The change affects the Department of Natural Resources, which must implement the waiver for all state parks under its management.

Maddy summarySB 402 designates *Lactococcus lactis* (a bacterium used in dairy fermentation) as Wisconsin’s official state microbe. The bill amends Wisconsin statutes to add this designation to the list of state symbols included in the Wisconsin Blue Book, alongside items like the state song, bird, and tree. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, programs, or people - only formally recognizes this microbe as a symbolic representation of Wisconsin. This is a ceremonial measure, consistent with similar bills naming state symbols.

Maddy summarySB 447 requires schools, child care centers, and nursery schools to include clear written information about immunization waiver options in enrollment materials. Specifically, it mandates that these institutions inform families in writing about their right to seek waivers for health, religious, or personal conviction reasons when notifying them of immunization requirements. The bill also requires schools to provide a simple procedure for submitting waiver requests alongside required health forms during enrollment. This directly affects schools and childcare providers by changing their enrollment documentation, and it impacts parents or guardians who may seek waivers for their children.

Maddy summarySB 453 changes the earliest date nomination papers can be circulated for spring elections from December 1 to November 16. This adjustment applies to local elections in towns, villages, and counties, affecting candidates seeking office and election officials who manage nomination deadlines. The bill amends multiple statutes (including those governing nomination paper circulation, filing deadlines, and special election timing) to implement this November 16 start date. It does not alter voting requirements or eligibility but updates procedural election schedules. This is a technical timing change affecting local spring election processes.

Maddy summarySB 326 creates a state grant program to help farms reduce nutrient runoff into waterways. It provides financial assistance covering up to $7 per acre for purchasing specialized fertilizers, $8 per acre for soil-testing technology, or $2 per acre for developing nutrient management plans. Farms can apply for grants covering these specific practices, with a yearly limit of $20,000 per farm. Agricultural retailers may also apply on behalf of farms. The program aims to support cost-effective methods that minimize fertilizer waste and protect water quality.