Sen. Patrick Testin

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 632 expands the legal scope of practice for naturopathic doctors in Wisconsin. It grants them the authority to prescribe, dispense, and administer prescription drugs (under specific rules) and allows them to provide expedited partner therapy for sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea. The bill also requires naturopathic doctors to maintain malpractice insurance coverage (with limited exceptions for government employees) and formally includes them in the definition of "health care practitioner" for regulatory purposes. This legislation directly affects licensed naturopathic doctors by changing their legal practice boundaries and responsibilities.

Maddy summarySB 559 authorizes community solar programs in Wisconsin, allowing multiple households or businesses to subscribe to shared solar energy projects. It requires municipalities to approve community solar facility locations with a two-thirds vote of their governing body (with limited exceptions), while ensuring facilities comply with zoning rules. The bill defines key terms like "community solar facility" (ground-mounted or rooftop projects generating electricity for subscribers), sets size limits (max 5MW for ground sites, 20MW for rooftop sites), and requires at least 3 subscribers with 60% of capacity coming from small subscriptions (≤40 kW). Subscribers receive bill credits for the electricity their subscription generates, offsetting their energy costs through the utility.

Maddy summarySB 213 creates two new tax credits for rail infrastructure in Wisconsin: a 50% credit for modernization (e.g., new track, switches, rehabilitation) and a 50% credit for maintenance (e.g., repairs, labor, safety improvements). It directly affects rail infrastructure owners or operators certified by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation under Section 238.309. The modernization credit caps at $2 million annually per claimant, while the maintenance credit limits to $5,000 per mile of track. Credits can be transferred to other taxpayers or carried forward for up to five years if not fully used in the claim year.

Maddy summarySB 284 defines key terms for a future sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) tax credit program. It specifies that "renewable biomass" includes wood waste, crop residues, dairy byproducts, and other organic agricultural waste, and defines "sustainable aviation fuel" as aviation fuel derived from this biomass and meeting U.S. Department of Energy standards. The bill replaces outdated terms like "energy crops" with "renewable biomass" throughout the tax credit framework. This definitional bill enables future tax credits for SAF producers but does not establish the credit amount or implementation details. (Note: The bill is still pending scheduling as of the latest action on 2025-11-06.)

Maddy summarySB 592 modifies state law to exclude certain event or sports wagers from the legal definition of "bet." Specifically, it exempts wagers made by people physically in the state using mobile devices if the wagering server is on tribal lands and the activity follows an Indian gaming compact signed before April 1, 1993. This primarily affects tribal gaming operations that conduct mobile sports betting under these specific historical agreements. The change clarifies that such wagers are not treated as "bets" under current gambling statutes.

Maddy summarySB 528 modifies how airports funded partly with federal money can contract for construction. It allows the state transportation secretary to use "construction manager at risk" contracts (where the contractor guarantees a maximum price) for eligible airport projects, without selecting solely based on lowest price. This applies specifically to "qualified projects" like airport structures or improvements, when federal rules permit it. The bill creates an exception to standard state procurement laws for these federally funded airport contracts.

Maddy summarySB 650 defines "transnational repression" as actions by foreign agents targeting individuals (like activists or journalists) to silence them due to political views. It creates three key provisions: (1) requires Wisconsin's Department of Justice to develop law enforcement training, public awareness campaigns, and a reporting portal for transnational repression cases; (2) increases penalties for crimes committed as transnational repression (e.g., raising a Class B felony to a Class A felony); and (3) criminalizes enforcing foreign laws without federal or state approval, punishable as a Class E felony with a minimum 3-year prison term. The bill directly affects foreign government agents, law enforcement, and individuals targeted by transnational repression. It focuses on prevention, awareness, and stricter penalties for specific foreign interference tactics.

Maddy summarySB 647 targets individuals who fraudulently claim unclaimed property belonging to others. It imposes civil penalties (equal to the property value) and criminal penalties (a Class I felony) for filing claims without consent to deprive owners. The bill also requires the state administrator to post penalty details online for 12 months and allows partial penalty waivers. This directly affects people who submit false claims for unclaimed funds or assets held by the state. The law updates existing statutes to clarify penalties for fraudulent claims under Section 177.12045.

Maddy summarySB 373 limits health insurance plans' use of prior authorization for physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and chiropractic care. It prohibits requiring prior approval for the first 12 visits per condition (or 90 days for chronic pain management at up to twice weekly visits) and mandates equivalent copays to primary care. Insurance plans must explain coverage denials in plain language and decide on reauthorizations within 3 business days (or approval is automatic). This directly affects health insurance plans and patients seeking these specific therapies in the state.