Sen. Bob Wirch

Maddy summarySB 615 appropriates $500,000 annually for the University of Wisconsin Missing-in-Action Recovery and Identification Project during the 2025-27 fiscal biennium. The project, managed by the University of Wisconsin System's Board of Regents, directly supports Wisconsin veterans missing in action by funding recovery and identification efforts. The bill requires the project to submit annual reports to state legislative committees, the governor, and veterans' agencies detailing mission outcomes and how funds were used. This funding provides concrete support for resolving cases of Wisconsin veterans who went missing during military service.

Maddy summarySJR 98 proposes adding a new constitutional amendment (Section 27) to guarantee equal rights under state law, prohibiting discrimination by state or local governments based on sex, gender identity, race, color, sexual orientation, disability, religion, national origin, marital status, family status, age, ancestry, or other immutable characteristics. It would allow any individual harmed by a violation to sue the state or local government entity responsible in court. The amendment would require all state and local governments to actively protect these guaranteed rights. This is a constitutional amendment proposal, not a law, and it is currently in the early stages of review after introduction in October 2025.

Maddy summarySB 457 modifies Wisconsin's unemployment insurance rules by repealing outdated provisions and clarifying how ineligibility periods work for claimants who conceal work or income. It specifically ensures claimants cannot earn "waiting period credit" during ineligibility periods caused by concealment, and if no current benefit rate applies, the department must use the next benefit year's rate to calculate reductions. This directly affects individuals who previously concealed work while receiving benefits, changing how their ineligibility is calculated and their future benefit eligibility. The bill takes effect after publication, impacting future unemployment benefit claims.

Maddy summarySB 462 updates the rules for permits allowing minors under 16 to work, directly affecting young workers and employers who hire them. The bill adds new exemptions to the permit requirement, including for minors working as election inspectors (as specified in state election law), in home settings, or for nonprofit organizations assisting elderly or disabled individuals. Employers must now maintain these permits on file and produce them for inspection upon request, with failure to do so being treated as evidence of unlawful employment. The bill also repeals an outdated section related to advertising for minor employment.

Maddy summarySB 639 allocates $5 million in state funds specifically for veterans' mental health services through the Department of Veterans Affairs. It requires the department to promote veterans' access to community-based mental health care and provide grants to organizations offering these services. The bill also streamlines rulemaking by allowing the department to issue emergency rules for administering these services without usual requirements for emergency rule justification. This directly affects veterans seeking mental health support and community organizations delivering those services. The funding and program structure are established for the 2026 biennium.

Maddy summarySB 579 standardizes collective bargaining processes for employees of the University of Wisconsin (UW) System, directly affecting faculty, staff, and other workers covered by existing union contracts. The bill requires that pay increases align with approved compensation plans or collective bargaining agreements, and it establishes funding mechanisms to cover costs for grievance arbitrations and training related to bargaining disputes. Key provisions update statutes to clarify that bargaining agreements govern pay decisions and define "governmental body" to exclude bargaining committees. The bill also creates new appropriation accounts to fund administrative functions of the state's employment relations system, including mediation and arbitration services.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides $1 million every two years to help licensed child care centers purchase and maintain automated external defibrillators (AEDs). It requires centers to contribute 33% of the grant amount as matching funds. The Department of Children and Families will administer the grants, distributing funds to eligible centers under state licensing rules. This policy directly affects all licensed child care centers in the state by improving emergency cardiac response capabilities.

Maddy summarySB 356 requires the state department to partner with healthcare providers (including obstetricians/gynecologists) and community health centers to educate women about perimenopause and menopause symptoms, management, and related issues. The bill mandates creation of informational materials covering symptoms, treatments, biological processes, when to consult a provider, and communication strategies for family/friends. These materials - available electronically and physically - will be distributed through healthcare providers to women identified as experiencing or nearing perimenopause or menopause. The law directly affects women navigating these health transitions by providing standardized, accessible education resources.

Maddy summarySJR 101 is a symbolic resolution declaring November 2025 as Veteran Mental Health and Suicide Awareness Month in Wisconsin. It highlights Wisconsin's veteran suicide statistics (134 deaths in 2023, accounting for 15% of state adult suicides) and aims to raise awareness about mental health challenges veterans face during civilian transitions. The resolution does not create new programs or funding but encourages the state to recognize veterans' service and promote existing resources like the Veterans Crisis Line. It directly affects Wisconsin veterans by drawing attention to their mental health needs through official state recognition.

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.