Sen. Patrick Testin

Maddy summarySB 929 allows Wisconsin residents who are members of the National Guard or U.S. military Reserves to exclude certain military pay from their state income tax. Specifically, it creates a new tax subtraction for basic pay received under federal law (37 USC 204(a)(2)) and inactive-duty training compensation (37 USC 206/206a), provided this income isn't already excluded under other rules. The policy applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, directly benefiting eligible service members by reducing their state tax liability. This is a concrete tax policy change, not a procedural or commemorative measure.

Maddy summarySB 4 establishes legal requirements for direct primary care agreements in Wisconsin. It defines these contracts as written arrangements between healthcare providers and patients (or employers) where providers offer ongoing primary care services for a fixed subscription fee. Key provisions mandate that agreements must detail specific services, specify the fee, allow termination with written notice, and be signed by both parties. The bill was vetoed by the Governor on August 11, 2025, preventing it from becoming law.

Maddy summarySB 25 would require courts to defer to a district attorney's determination that there is no basis to prosecute a law enforcement officer involved in a death. Specifically, it prohibits judges from issuing criminal complaints against such officers unless new or unused evidence is presented, after the district attorney has already concluded there is no case to pursue. The bill directly affects officers in officer-involved death cases defined under Wisconsin law (s. 175.47 (1) (c)). This change shifts authority from courts to district attorneys in determining whether charges proceed, streamlining the process for cases where prosecutors have already declined to file.

Maddy summarySB 176 creates tax exemptions for income received from broadband expansion grants and federal high-cost program funding. It exempts from state income and franchise taxes funds provided by the state, local governments, tribal governments, or the federal government for broadband expansion projects. This directly affects businesses, internet service providers, and organizations receiving these specific grants or federal funding. The exemption applies to both state broadband grants and federal high-cost program funds (under 47 USC 254) used for expanding broadband access in the state, effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts electricity used for charging electric vehicles at home from the state tax, specifically for Level 1 and Level 2 chargers installed at residences on or after March 22, 2024. The exemption applies retroactively to electricity delivered starting January 1, 2025. It does not apply to Level 3 chargers or commercial charging stations. The policy directly affects residential homeowners who install qualifying EV chargers.

Maddy summarySB 181 creates a levy limit exemption for local governments that fund regional emergency medical services (EMS). It allows counties or municipalities to count costs for regional EMS (via joint districts or agreements) toward their budget without triggering standard spending limits, provided the service area covers at least 232 square miles or 8+ municipalities. The bill requires that annual EMS funding increases stay within an inflation-adjusted cap (U.S. CPI plus 5%) and that the local government confirms a coordinated regional service area. This directly affects local governments operating regional EMS systems by making their funding more flexible under budget constraints. The exemption applies to costs for fire department-provided EMS and excludes these expenditures from standard spending limit calculations.

Maddy summarySB 1007 creates new statutes to address agricultural damage caused by elk. It requires the department to include agricultural landowners affected by elk damage on an advisory committee (29.016(4)), mandates elk causing property damage be removed within 48 hours of notice (29.885(3)(e)), and exempts elk damage claims from requiring hunting access (29.889(7m)(au)). The bill directly affects farmers and ranchers whose crops or property are damaged by elk. These provisions aim to streamline damage response and improve representation for impacted landowners.

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 983 clarifies the definition of "veteran" for Wisconsin state veterans benefits. It creates a new statutory definition (45.01(12)(jm)) specifically including National Guard members who completed their initial service obligation and received an honorable or general discharge under honorable conditions. This change ensures these individuals qualify for state benefits under the new category, while removing them from the general "veteran" definition in 45.51(2)(a)1. The bill directly affects eligible National Guard members seeking state-level veterans' benefits.