Maddy summarySB 998 establishes a framework for creating "tourism promotion improvement districts" where hotels and motels (defined as "businesses" in the bill) can form private associations to fund tourism marketing and infrastructure improvements. To create a district, at least 50% of hotel/motel room owners must petition the local government, and the district’s operating plan must detail boundaries, annual costs, financing sources (including potential bonds), and assessment methods for businesses. Assessments, limited to 5 years for new districts (or 10 for renewals), can fund marketing, events, or infrastructure designed to boost visitor stays, with hosting platforms allowed to collect assessments at no more than a 5% fee. The bill requires public hearings and local government approval before implementation, directly affecting participating hospitality businesses through mandatory funding contributions.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 955 allocates an additional $400,000 annually for the Department of Justice's Internet Crimes Against Children unit, covering fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27. This funding increase supports existing law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute online crimes targeting children. The bill does not create new laws or policies but provides specific budgetary resources for current operations.
Maddy summarySB 973 is a procedural bill that changes the official name of the Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board to the "Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Strengthening Families Board" across multiple statutes. It does not alter the board's duties, funding, or operations - only updates its name in legal references. The bill affects no new groups or policies; it is purely a technical renaming for consistency in state law. This change was introduced in the 2026 legislature and referred to the Mental Health Committee.
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 summarySB 999 establishes rules for licensees (like educators) under investigation for unprofessional conduct. It requires licensees to surrender licenses permanently to end investigations, bars the state from reinstating surrendered licenses during such probes, and mandates public posting of surrender details online. The bill prohibits agreements that hide investigation records or suppress findings, and requires the department to release related records within 14 days of a public request. These provisions aim to increase transparency and prevent licensees from avoiding accountability through voluntary surrender.
Maddy summarySB 971 exempts agricultural warehouses storing crop protection products (like fertilizers and pesticides) from mandatory automatic fire sprinkler systems, provided they meet two conditions: liquid storage has secondary containment as required by agriculture rules, and owners notify local fire departments about stored chemicals. This applies only to warehouses primarily used for such storage, not to office areas within them. The exemption does not affect other fire safety requirements, such as detection or suppression systems. It directly affects agricultural businesses storing these products in warehouses constructed after the bill's effective date.
Maddy summarySB 985 amends a statute to define "veteran at risk" for the veterans at risk alert system. The bill specifies that a "veteran at risk" includes veterans, active-duty service members, National Guard, or military reservists known to have a physical or mental health condition related to their military service, based on reports. This definition change directly affects how the alert system identifies individuals eligible for support. The bill is purely definitional and does not create new programs or alter system operations.
Maddy summarySJR 132 is a symbolic resolution designating February 2026 as "Career and Technical Education Month" in Wisconsin. It recognizes the value of career and technical education (CTE) programs by highlighting their role in preparing students for careers, with supporting data on high graduate employment rates (92%) and median salaries ($55,636 for certificates, $60,003 for associate degrees). The resolution has no binding effect or new funding - it simply encourages public awareness of CTE benefits. It affects all Wisconsinites by promoting statewide recognition of CTE opportunities, but does not alter existing programs or policies. (Note: This is a procedural resolution, not a bill with policy changes.)
Maddy summarySB 976 allocates $600,000 for municipal emergency medical services programs to hire full-time community paramedics or practitioners, with preference for rural, suburban, and urban programs. It creates a pilot program funding up to seven municipal EMS programs (six initial grants, one potential additional) to expand community-based emergency care. Additionally, the bill adds $200,000 annually for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 to fund statewide falls prevention awareness initiatives through the Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging. These provisions directly affect municipal EMS programs seeking to hire staff and the Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging, which will administer falls prevention efforts.