Sen. Patrick Testin

Maddy summarySB 880 modifies Wisconsin's tax code for retirement plan withdrawals and film production credits. It sets a $24,000 annual deduction limit for individuals aged 67+ (or $48,000 for married couples filing jointly) on qualified retirement plan distributions, effective 2025. The bill also clarifies film production tax credit eligibility by defining "production expenditures" to include in-state spending on music, travel, and insurance from Wisconsin-based businesses, while excluding marketing/distribution costs. Additionally, it requires background checks for contractors handling federal tax data accessed through state agencies. These changes directly affect Wisconsin retirees and film producers seeking tax credits.

Maddy summarySB 873 limits a municipality's ability to deny land subdivision approvals (plats) for areas outside its city limits but within its planning jurisdiction. It prevents cities from blocking such approvals based solely on the proposed land use, instead requiring denials to be based on four specific, pre-approved criteria: land use type, public improvement specifications, land division standards, or annexation agreements. The bill also allows municipalities to recover attorney fees if they successfully sue to enforce these rules. This directly affects developers seeking to build in areas adjacent to incorporated cities and the municipalities reviewing those projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new rules for gift certificates, gift cards, and similar gift obligations to protect consumers from expiration dates and unexpected fees. It requires that these gift obligations cannot expire within five years of purchase or last reload, and it strictly limits when and how fees can be charged, allowing them only after a year of inactivity with clear disclosure and a maximum of one fee per month. The legislation also creates penalties for violations, allowing affected individuals to recover double the lost amount or $200 per violation, while giving state agencies the authority to seek injunctions and fines. Additionally, the bill assigns legal support responsibilities to the Department of Justice for enforcing these new consumer protection provisions.

Maddy summarySB 899 prohibits foreign nationals from contributing to or influencing referendum committees that support or oppose ballot measures. It directly affects referendum committees (groups organizing campaigns for or against voter-approved measures) and their contributors. The bill requires committees to obtain written affirmations from contributors confirming they are not foreign nationals and have not received over $100,000 from foreign sources in the past four years. Committees must also attest in reports that they have not accepted foreign funds and will not do so before the referendum vote.

Maddy summarySB 803 expands state funding for workforce training grants to specifically support programs preparing individuals to become teachers. It directly affects teacher training programs - especially dual enrollment initiatives - and aspiring educators seeking classroom careers. The bill requires these programs to include research-backed training, leadership development, hands-on job experience, and additional support services. This change modifies existing grant guidelines by adding a new subsection (106.27(1)(b)1.b) to mandate these specific components. The bill is currently pending in committee review after its January 2026 introduction.

Maddy summarySB 809 modifies Wisconsin's Opportunity Attraction and Promotion Program, administered by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). It creates new rules allowing grants for non-public events (like exclusive conferences) only if they bring national exposure or boost economic growth, with strict limits: no more than 25% of annual funds can support such events, and they must avoid regularly scheduled or rotating events. The bill requires applicants to provide cost-benefit analyses of economic impacts before funding, mandates matching contributions from non-state sources, and adds annual reporting to the legislature. This directly affects event organizers seeking WEDC grants to attract major events to Wisconsin.

Maddy summarySB 818 creates a "demonstration public school operator" designation for charter school operators in Wisconsin. To qualify, operators must document best practices, provide teacher training, participate in research studies, evaluate their educational models, track student progress, and partner with community organizations. Designated operators receive an additional $6,863 per pupil starting in 2026-27, with annual funding adjustments based on state revenue changes. This designation requires annual reporting on finances, student achievement, enrollment, and school transitions, and is limited to five-year terms renewable once. The bill directly affects charter school operators seeking this status and the students in their schools.

Maddy summarySB 862 revises Wisconsin statutes governing county sheriff offices and medical examiner appointments. It primarily updates rules for appointing and removing undersheriffs (including civil service considerations), clarifies who acts as sheriff during vacancies or incapacity (requiring county board petitions for incapacity declarations), and adds new provisions for service of process when the sheriff is a party. The bill directly affects county sheriffs, undersheriffs, county clerks, and circuit courts in administering local law enforcement duties. It focuses on procedural changes to sheriff office operations rather than new policy initiatives.

Maddy summarySB 731 requires Wisconsin high schools to include instruction on blood and organ donation in at least one grade from 9 to 12. The bill mandates that this instruction cover the purpose of donations, the statewide and national need for donations, and how to participate. It directly affects high school students and school curricula, applying to the 2026-27 school year. The law creates a new requirement for school districts to integrate this topic into relevant courses.

Maddy summarySB 682 regulates hemp-derived cannabinoid products containing specific cannabinoids like delta-8, delta-9, or delta-10 THC (excluding synthetic versions), directly affecting manufacturers, sellers, and consumers of these products. It requires sellers to verify customers are over 21, mandates lab testing for each batch to confirm cannabinoid content (within 10% tolerance), ensure THC levels stay below 0.3% (or federal max 1%), and confirm absence of harmful contaminants like pesticides. Products must display clear labels with manufacturer details, batch numbers, serving sizes, and a certificate of lab analysis. The bill explicitly excludes FDA-approved prescription drugs, certain cannabidiol (CBD) products governed by existing laws, and external hemp products not intended for absorption.