Sen. Rachael Cabral-Guevara

Maddy summarySB 400 restricts state and local government employees from using official electronic devices to access social media, apps, or AI tools owned by entities based in designated "foreign countries of concern" (as defined by federal regulations). It directly affects state agencies and local governmental units (like cities, school districts, and special districts) by prohibiting non-law enforcement personnel from downloading or using these foreign-owned technologies on government-owned devices. The bill allows for limited exceptions through written waivers granted by the secretary of administration for specific work purposes. This is a policy change focused on limiting government use of foreign-owned digital tools, not a procedural or commemorative measure.

Maddy summarySB 473 requires local governments to allow at least one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) per single-family lot as a "permitted use" without special permits, directly affecting homeowners in residential and mixed-use zones. Localities may still set reasonable limits on ADU size (capped at the main house's square footage), height, and setbacks, but cannot impose additional approvals for standard ADUs. The bill also prohibits new ADUs created after its effective date from being used as short-term rentals (like Airbnb), while allowing existing ADUs to remain unaffected. This standardizes ADU access across the state while giving communities flexibility to manage development.

Maddy summaryBased on the provided information, SB 337 relates to local grant writing and compliance assistance, as indicated by its title. However, the "Bill Text" provided only details amendments to specific dates within the bill, shifting some effective or relevant years. The full content explaining the bill's mechanisms, who it directly affects, or its concrete policy changes regarding grant writing and compliance assistance is not available in this excerpt.

Maddy summarySB 445 requires state agencies and local governments (including cities, counties, and school districts) to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) 2016 definition of antisemitism when evaluating discrimination cases involving race, religion, color, or national origin under state laws, ordinances, or criminal penalty enhancements. It specifically applies when assessing whether a victim was targeted due to their actual or perceived identity. The bill clarifies it does not override First Amendment rights or conflict with existing federal or state antidiscrimination laws. This is a procedural requirement for consistent application of the IHRA definition in relevant legal contexts.

Maddy summarySB 403 requires political committees, conduits, and parties to verify the credit card verification value (CVV) and a U.S. billing address for online credit card donations. It directly affects organizations accepting such donations, with an exception for U.S. citizens living abroad who must instead provide their U.S. voter registration address. The bill mandates treasurers to maintain donor records for reporting and imposes penalties on financial institutions that process these donations without the required verification, requiring them to forfeit the full contribution amount. This aims to enhance transparency and prevent fraudulent or non-compliant online political donations.

Maddy summarySB 327 ensures landlords cannot deny housing to tenants with emotional support animals based solely on the animal's presence. It requires tenants to provide a letter or prescription from a healthcare provider to verify their need for the animal. The bill also establishes penalties for individuals who falsely claim their pet is a service animal to gain housing access. This directly affects landlords, tenants, and housing providers across the state.

Maddy summarySB 657 prohibits noncompete clauses that restrict medical practitioners from working for more than 24 consecutive months after starting a job. It also makes all such noncompete agreements unenforceable if an employer terminates the practitioner’s employment for any reason. The law applies to defined medical practitioners, including physicians, physician assistants, psychologists, and advanced practice nurse prescribers. These provisions make affected noncompete agreements void and unenforceable under Wisconsin law. The bill takes effect after publication, with specific definitions updated to clarify the scope of "medical practitioner."

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 591 creates a Council on Dual Enrollment to oversee credit transfer policies, with members from universities, technical colleges, school districts, tribal colleges, and legislative leaders. It requires all public universities and technical colleges to make core general education credits earned through high school dual enrollment programs fully transferable by September 1, 2026. The bill also mandates agreements between public institutions (covering 72+ credits) and private colleges (covering 36+ credits) to ensure these credits satisfy general education requirements at receiving institutions. This directly affects high school students taking college courses, public and technical colleges, tribal colleges, and private colleges participating in dual enrollment programs.

Maddy summarySB 624 updates election procedures in several key areas. It requires election officials to notify voters within 3 business days if court rulings make them ineligible to vote, and to restore voting rights if courts later reverse such decisions. The bill mandates pre-election testing of voting machines with public notice, including tests for ballot errors like excess votes or multiple party selections. It also clarifies rules for handling absentee ballots, central counting locations, and ballot transport procedures. These changes directly affect voters, municipal clerks, and election officials managing ballot processing and equipment.