Sen. Dan Feyen

Maddy summarySB 533 defines "equipment" for correctional officers to include tools used for communication, seeking help, or accessing locked areas, alongside items designed to cause harm or restraint. The bill amends penalties for intentionally disarming an officer or removing their issued equipment. It directly affects correctional officers and individuals who interfere with their authorized tools, making such actions a punishable offense under existing law. The legislation clarifies what constitutes prohibited interference with an officer's duties-related equipment.

Maddy summarySB 822 allows health care providers to offer discounts for prompt payment of fees to patients covered by disability insurance policies, while prohibiting them from reducing required coinsurance or deductibles under those policies. Key provisions require discounts to be no more than 15% of the fee, based on actual collection savings, and mandate providers to post their discount policy on their website. Providers cannot shift discount costs to other patients, include discounts in third-party payer agreements, or advertise the discount publicly (merely posting online is permitted). The bill directly affects health care providers, disability insurance patients, and insurers, with exceptions for undue financial hardship or federal law conflicts.

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.

Maddy summarySB 376 adjusts the effective year for a state tax credit that employers can claim for providing child care benefits to employees, changing the reference from 2024 to 2025 in multiple sections. It also adds language specifying that the credit will be "in effect for federal purposes," aligning the state credit with federal tax treatment. This bill directly affects employers offering child care programs, ensuring the credit applies to 2025 tax filings and coordinates with federal rules. The bill passed unanimously in the legislature on November 18, 2025, with no opposition.

Maddy summarySB 367 requires health insurance companies to notify healthcare providers if an additional fee may be charged for using virtual credit card payments. This directly affects insurers who must disclose such fees to providers accepting this payment method. The bill amends policy language to mandate this clear notification about potential extra costs. It does not change insurance coverage or payment amounts, only the disclosure requirement for virtual credit card transactions. The bill passed on November 18, 2025, after being amended to include this notification provision.

Maddy summarySB 556 creates new annual payments to municipalities and counties for hosting energy storage facilities (like batteries or thermal systems) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage facilities. For energy storage facilities with at least 1 megawatt capacity, payments are calculated as $2,000 per megawatt, split between the local city/town (two-thirds) and county (one-third) or town (one-third) and county (two-thirds). For LNG storage facilities, payments are based on the property's net book value at 6 mills for cities/villages or 3 mills for towns, with the county receiving the remaining share. The bill ensures payments continue even if some facility units cease operation, maintaining consistent support for local governments.

Maddy summarySB 952 requires state agencies to improve how they deliver services to residents and businesses by establishing new standards for accessibility, efficiency, and customer feedback. It creates a government service delivery coordinator to set guidelines for agencies, including best practices for understanding public needs and measuring satisfaction across channels like websites, phone calls, and in-person visits. Each agency must appoint a lead official to develop improvement plans, collect service data, and align changes with agency strategic goals. The bill mandates annual reports to the legislature on progress, focusing on concrete metrics like wait times and service quality.

Maddy summarySB 995 would appropriate state funds to cover individual income tax rebates for 2026, directly affecting eligible Wisconsin residents who qualify for these rebates under prior law. The bill creates a new statutory provision requiring the state to allocate sufficient funding to make these rebate payments. It references a 2025 legislative act that established the rebate program but does not change the rebate eligibility or amounts. The bill is currently pending in the Agriculture and Revenue Committee after a committee recommendation for passage.

Maddy summarySB 1 provides a one-time tax rebate to Wisconsin taxpayers who filed individual income tax returns for 2023-2024. Eligible married couples filing jointly receive $1,000, while other individuals receive $500, capped at their actual tax liability for that period. The Wisconsin Department of Revenue will automatically identify eligible taxpayers and issue payments by September 15, 2026, with a claim process available through December 31, 2026, for those who don’t receive the full amount. The bill applies specific tax refund procedures to these rebates, treating them as tax liabilities under existing Wisconsin law.

Maddy summarySJR 128 is a symbolic resolution honoring Wisconsin's Polish community for its 180-year presence in the state and its contributions to Wisconsin's cultural and social strength. It does not create new laws, alter policies, or affect any individuals or groups. The resolution specifically recognizes historical milestones, including Polish immigrants arriving in 1845, contributions to Wisconsin's development, and connections to Polish-American historical figures. As a commemorative measure, it has no binding legal effect or practical impact beyond formal recognition.