Maddy summarySB 700 increases fees for snowmobile registration and trail use stickers in Wisconsin. It raises the public-use registration fee from $30 to $45 (with a $5 fee for political subdivisions), and adjusts trail sticker costs: $69.25 for snowmobiles exempt from registration, $19.25 for members of qualifying snowmobile clubs, and $49.25 for others. The bill directly affects snowmobile owners, clubs, and local governments managing trails. Key provisions include updated fee structures for registration certificates and annual trail stickers, with specific discounts for club members and reduced fees for government-owned equipment. These changes apply to all snowmobiles operated on public or private trails under Wisconsin's current regulations.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 739 exempts home producers from commercial food licensing requirements when selling pickled fruits/vegetables and baked goods (nonpotentially hazardous foods that don’t require refrigeration). Home producers must register with the state, label products with their name, "made in private home," and ingredients, and limit annual sales to $40,000. Producers with over $10,000 in sales must display a "homemade" sign, maintain insurance, and hold a food safety certificate. The bill establishes new registration rules, labeling standards, and requires inspections for certain producers.
Maddy summarySB 733 amends Wisconsin statute to change how electric utilities calculate fuel costs in their approved fuel cost plans. It requires utilities to account for both fuel purchase costs and revenue from selling electricity generation capacity that meets Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) requirements. This applies specifically to fuel cost under-collections or over-collections outside the utility’s allowed annual margin. The bill creates a new definition for "Midcontinent independent system operation" and ties fuel cost calculations directly to MISO standards.
Maddy summarySB 781 modifies how Wisconsin calculates state aid for public school districts by excluding costs funded through voter-approved referendums from the "shared cost" formula. Specifically, it removes referendum-funded expenditures (like those for capital projects or debt service) when determining eligibility for general equalization aid, which directly affects school districts relying on such local funding. The bill creates new rules to exclude referendum-authorized levies and related debt service from the calculation, ensuring these costs don't reduce state aid payments. This change aims to prevent school districts from losing state funding due to referendum-based spending.
Maddy summarySB 30 requires all public and charter schools to include civics education in their curriculum, mandating at least 0.5 credits of civics instruction within high school social studies courses. The bill specifies that this instruction must cover foundational U.S. documents (Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights), the Federalist Papers, civic participation, and comparisons with other governance systems like communism. Private schools participating in parental choice programs must also include this civics content and annually report compliance to the department. These requirements apply to the 2027-28 school year for curriculum, with graduation impacts beginning for students graduating in 2030-31. The bill establishes new reporting obligations for schools and creates a legislative reporting mechanism for the department.
Maddy summarySB 40 restricts flag displays on state and local government properties to only the U.S. flag, Wisconsin state flag, and state agency flags. Exceptions allow specific flags (like veterans' or tribal flags) under strict conditions, but prohibit any flag promoting political parties, causes, holidays, or ideological views - even under these exceptions. The bill repeals an outdated administrative rule about flag displays and applies to state buildings, local government facilities, and school properties. It does not affect flags on tribal lands or private entities leasing government space.
Maddy summarySJR 3 is a non-binding resolution that proclaims January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month in Wisconsin. It does not create new laws, allocate funds, or impose legal obligations. The resolution aims to raise public awareness about human trafficking, defined as exploitation through force, fraud, or coercion, and aligns with statewide efforts to combat this issue. The proclamation is intended for general public education and community engagement, not specific policy changes.
Maddy summarySB 117 requires public and participating private schools to designate all athletic teams based solely on the sex assigned at birth (as recorded on a birth certificate), labeling them as "males" or "females." It prohibits students designated as male from participating on female-designated teams or using female-designated facilities like locker rooms. The bill allows female-identified students to sue schools for violations of these rules and creates legal protections against retaliation for reporting such violations. This directly affects school athletic programs and students participating in sports, particularly those whose gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth.
Maddy summarySB 116 requires University of Wisconsin and technical college athletic programs to designate intercollegiate or club sports teams as "male" or "female" based solely on the sex assigned at birth (per birth certificate). It prohibits students assigned male at birth from participating on women's teams or using women's locker rooms. The bill allows female students to sue institutions for violations denying participation or causing harm, and permits institutions to sue organizations penalizing them for compliance. This law applies to all affected athletic teams starting in the first semester after its effective date.
Maddy summarySB 90 amends Wisconsin's tax code to limit the sales and use tax exemption for residential electricity and natural gas to the winter months of November through April. This change directly affects homeowners and renters who use these utilities for heating during the colder months. The bill modifies an existing statute to specify that the tax exemption applies only during these six months, rather than year-round. It does not alter the tax rate itself but restricts the period when the exemption applies. The bill is currently in committee review after being introduced in March 2025.