Sen. Jesse James

Maddy summarySJR 53 is a symbolic resolution designating May 2025 and May 2026 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Wisconsin. It does not create new laws or programs but formally recognizes the importance of mental well-being for all Wisconsinites, aiming to promote dialogue, reduce stigma, and highlight existing mental health challenges across the state. The resolution affects all residents by encouraging community awareness during this designated month.

Maddy summarySB 393 allows school bus drivers over 70 or those whose endorsement was canceled due to medical conditions to reinstate their license by providing a healthcare provider's certification confirming they can safely operate a school bus. It requires drivers aged 70 or older to submit annual medical certification and undergo a medical review every four years to maintain their school bus endorsement. The bill establishes a clear reinstatement process: the department must reinstate the endorsement upon receiving proper medical documentation unless a reviewing board determines it's inappropriate. This directly affects school bus drivers in these categories by modifying medical review and reinstatement procedures.

Maddy summarySB 561 amends Wisconsin statute 118.25(1)(a) to explicitly allow licensed chiropractors to perform health examinations required for school employees (such as teachers and staff). The bill adds chiropractors to the list of authorized health professionals - alongside physicians, naturopathic doctors, and physician assistants - who can conduct these exams. This change directly affects school employees needing medical clearances for employment and school district hiring processes. The provision clarifies existing law without altering exam requirements or costs. (118.25(1)(a) amended per bill text, introduced Oct. 24, 2025).

Maddy summarySB 456 provides a $150 million grant to support aviation biofuel manufacturing in Wisconsin, funded through state public debt. It directly affects manufacturers who build facilities in designated zones, requiring them to use 80% in-state biomass (measured over 5 years), make $1.5 billion in state investments within 5 years, and maintain facilities exclusively for aviation biofuel production. The bill also creates a tax credit for such manufacturing and includes repayment penalties if grant conditions aren't met. This policy aims to support the state's forest products industry and create jobs through aviation biofuel development.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new exception for certain retired Wisconsin Retirement System members. It allows former county jailers (not protective occupation) and protective occupation retirees to return to work for a participating employer without automatically becoming active retirement system participants. To qualify, they must not have a prior agreement to return, must formally elect not to rejoin the system using a department-provided form, and must have terminated employment without an agreement to return. The change specifically applies to rehires after the bill's effective date, giving these workers a clear path to return to work without automatic retirement system re-enrollment.

Maddy summarySB 316 modifies funding rules for Wisconsin's land acquisition programs that support parks and recreational lands. It reduces the maximum grant percentage from 50% to 40% for local governments applying for funds after purchasing land (instead of before), while maintaining a 30% cap on using grants for the remaining costs. The bill also sets aside $2 million annually from fiscal years 2026-27 through 2029-30 specifically for the state to acquire land directly, and preserves a $38,000 grant for Upper Whiting Park development. These changes directly affect cities, counties, and conservation groups seeking state funding for land acquisitions under the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship program.

Maddy summarySB 238 defines "search and rescue dog" as a dog trained by a state or nationally recognized agency to locate lost people or disaster victims. The bill prohibits harassment of these dogs (and police/fire animals), including actions that interfere with their work or training. Penalties increase based on intent and harm: a basic violation carries a Class B forfeiture, intentional harm causes a Class A misdemeanor, and causing injury or death escalates to felony charges (Class I or H). This law directly affects individuals who harass search and rescue dogs, strengthening legal protections for these working animals used in critical public safety operations.

Maddy summarySB 317 requires all Wisconsin public schools and charter schools to develop written cardiac emergency response plans by the 2027-28 school year. These plans must include core elements like response teams, AED maintenance details, annual drills, and staff training in CPR/AED use following national guidelines (e.g., American Heart Association). High schools must additionally require coaches to maintain current CPR/AED certification. Schools are not mandated to purchase AEDs, but must plan for their use if available. The law specifically targets cardiac emergencies occurring on school property or at school-sponsored athletic events.

Maddy summarySB 83 creates exceptions to prior authorization requirements for antipsychotic drugs under the state's Medical Assistance program (Medicaid). It specifies four situations where prior approval isn't needed for recipients aged 18+: if the drug was previously approved at a different dose, the recipient was recently enrolled after 30 days of continuous use, prior authorization expired after 60 days of continuous use, or the recipient was stabilized on the drug after a recent hospital discharge. The bill does not override federal Medicaid rules. It directly affects Medicaid recipients prescribed antipsychotic medications who meet these specific criteria.

Maddy summarySB 578 allows designated patient representatives to consent to health care facility admissions for individuals who cannot manage their own health care decisions (incapacitated) without requiring a court-appointed guardian or protective placement petition. The bill mandates that incapacity be certified by two physicians or one physician and one advanced practice clinician, excluding individuals diagnosed with developmental disability or mental illness. Patient representatives can make health care decisions, enroll the individual in Medical Assistance, and authorize health care costs until the individual is no longer deemed incapacitated or a court appoints a guardian. This streamlines consent for eligible patients while maintaining medical oversight and avoiding traditional guardianship processes.