Sen. Dan Feyen

Maddy summarySB 418 creates a sales and use tax exemption for ski lift operators in Wisconsin. It specifically exempts the purchase, storage, use, or consumption of ski lifts, related machines, equipment, and parts used exclusively for operating ski lifts from state sales and use taxes. This bill directly affects ski resorts and mountain operations that purchase or maintain ski lift infrastructure. The exemption applies to qualifying equipment purchases and is effective starting the first day of the third month following publication. The bill was recently recommended for passage by the Agriculture and Revenue Committee.

Maddy summarySB 69 would allow school teachers to subtract certain work-related expenses from their taxable income, directly affecting teachers who pay for classroom supplies or professional development out of pocket. The bill creates a specific income tax subtraction provision, reducing the taxable income of eligible teachers by the amount of qualifying expenses they incur. This policy change aims to offset some costs teachers personally cover for their work, without altering tax rates or brackets. The bill passed committee with unanimous support and is now awaiting further legislative action.

Maddy summarySB 170 creates a new option for Wisconsin state retirees who return to work: they can choose to keep receiving their retirement annuity for up to 60 months (non-consecutive) instead of having it automatically suspended. To qualify, retirees must have separated from a state job at least 75 days prior, not have a pre-existing agreement to return to work, and elect not to become a participating employee. If they choose this option, their new employer must pay the Wisconsin Retirement System the same contributions they would have made as an active employee. This bill directly affects retirees who return to state employment after separation, changing the default rule from automatic annuity suspension to this voluntary arrangement.

Maddy summarySB 213 creates two new tax credits for rail infrastructure in Wisconsin: a 50% credit for modernization (e.g., new track, switches, rehabilitation) and a 50% credit for maintenance (e.g., repairs, labor, safety improvements). It directly affects rail infrastructure owners or operators certified by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation under Section 238.309. The modernization credit caps at $2 million annually per claimant, while the maintenance credit limits to $5,000 per mile of track. Credits can be transferred to other taxpayers or carried forward for up to five years if not fully used in the claim year.

Maddy summarySB 607 modifies Wisconsin's firearm laws by expanding exemptions for law enforcement officers and adjusting hunting restrictions. It repeals existing limits on concealed carry licenses and creates new exemptions allowing peace officers to carry firearms in vehicles or aircraft while on duty. The bill also reduces the hunting restriction distance near schools and hospitals from 1,700 to 1,200 feet. These changes directly affect law enforcement personnel and hunters, while maintaining existing prohibitions for general firearm use in vehicles and near roadways.

Maddy summarySB 592 modifies state law to exclude certain event or sports wagers from the legal definition of "bet." Specifically, it exempts wagers made by people physically in the state using mobile devices if the wagering server is on tribal lands and the activity follows an Indian gaming compact signed before April 1, 1993. This primarily affects tribal gaming operations that conduct mobile sports betting under these specific historical agreements. The change clarifies that such wagers are not treated as "bets" under current gambling statutes.

Maddy summarySB 378 aligns Wisconsin's election procedures with the federal Electoral Count Reform Act. It requires the state election commission to publish all key election deadlines (including recounts) on its website. For presidential elections, the bill mandates that municipal clerks deliver ballots to county clerks by 9 a.m. on Saturday (instead of the previous deadline), and county clerks must remain open that Saturday to accept filings. It also adjusts timelines for counting provisional ballots and reconciling absentee and in-person votes to prevent duplicate voting. This bill directly affects municipal and county clerks, election boards, and the processing of ballots in presidential elections.

Maddy summarySB 497 establishes new rules for compensating owners when outdoor advertising signs are removed or relocated due to highway projects. It directly affects sign owners (including those with signs that don’t meet local rules) and property owners where signs are located. Key provisions require government agencies to provide full appraisals showing compensation amounts, mandate specific payments for the sign itself, loss of other signs, and the right to display signs, and clarify that repositioning signs doesn’t change their "nonconforming" status. The bill also sets appraisal standards (e.g., offers must be within 85-115% of the owner’s appraisal) and allows separate legal appeals for compensation disputes. This bill changes how compensation is calculated and paid for signs affected by transportation projects.

Maddy summarySB 205 requires clear, standardized information to be provided to voters about statewide constitutional amendments and referendums. It mandates a "complete state referendum disclosure notice" including the referendum date, full ballot text, plain-language summaries of current law, and explanations of "yes/no" vote effects - all fitting on one page (8.5x11", 12pt font). This notice must be posted with sample ballots, published online by elections commissions for 30 days before voting, and included with absentee ballots. The bill directly affects voters in statewide referendums by ensuring they receive consistent, accessible information before casting ballots.

Maddy summarySB 650 defines "transnational repression" as actions by foreign agents targeting individuals (like activists or journalists) to silence them due to political views. It creates three key provisions: (1) requires Wisconsin's Department of Justice to develop law enforcement training, public awareness campaigns, and a reporting portal for transnational repression cases; (2) increases penalties for crimes committed as transnational repression (e.g., raising a Class B felony to a Class A felony); and (3) criminalizes enforcing foreign laws without federal or state approval, punishable as a Class E felony with a minimum 3-year prison term. The bill directly affects foreign government agents, law enforcement, and individuals targeted by transnational repression. It focuses on prevention, awareness, and stricter penalties for specific foreign interference tactics.