Sen. Romaine Quinn

Maddy summarySB 961 establishes a permit system for cross-country skiing on most state-owned land, requiring skiers aged 12 and older to pay fees ($40 for adults, $20 for youth) or carry proof of a temporary receipt, with children under 12 skiing for free. The bill sets a 75-cent issuing fee (with 50 cents going to agents who process permits) and grants the state department rule-making authority to regulate permit agents. Exemptions include organized events and existing state trail passes under separate law. The bill also includes an appropriation to fund the permit program's administration.

Maddy summarySB 960 requires hikers to obtain a permit to walk on groomed trails on state-owned land (excluding vehicle admission areas), with fees of $20 for adults, $10 for teens (12+), and free for children under 12. The bill creates a statewide automated permit system, allowing the department to contract with third parties for issuance and collect a $0.75 processing fee per permit. Exemptions include organized events, existing trail passes, and activities incidental to other authorized uses. The department may also issue conservation cards as an alternative to carrying physical permits.

Maddy summarySB 964 would require registration for certain nonmotorized boats (excluding sailboats) under two specific conditions: 1) when an occupant holds a valid fishing license, and 2) when operated within designated "vehicle admission areas" (as defined in statute 27.01). The bill amends existing statutes to create these registration requirements and clarifies that fees for nonmotorized boat registration are excluded from certain fee categories. This directly affects owners of non-sail nonmotorized boats used in fishing or within specific park/waterway zones. The legislation focuses on defining registration obligations without changing enforcement or penalty structures.

Maddy summarySB 962 requires bicyclists to obtain a permit to ride on state-owned trails (excluding highways and vehicle admission areas) unless participating in an organized event or using a trail pass. The permit, valid for one calendar year, costs $40 for adults, $20 for riders aged 12 and older, and is free for children under 12. Bicyclists must permanently attach the permit to their bike or carry a temporary receipt showing payment, which they must present to law enforcement upon request. The bill grants the department authority to issue permits, appoint agents, and establish rules for the program.

Maddy summarySB 963 creates a permit system for collecting plants or fungi (forage) on state-owned land, requiring permits for most foragers while exempting vehicle admission areas. It sets fees of $40 for adults, $20 for teens 12+, and free for children under 12, with additional $0.75 issuing fees for those 12+ and payments to third-party permit systems. The bill authorizes the department to contract with external providers for a statewide automated permit system and establishes rules for permit issuance, proof requirements, and fee collection. It directly affects residents and visitors who gather natural materials on state land, ensuring regulated access while generating revenue for administrative costs. The legislation also clarifies that permits do not override existing area-specific foraging prohibitions.

Maddy summarySB 967 allows towns to set maximum water levels for artificial lakes or ponds created by dams if the water saturates road beds. It creates a new rule (82.03 (5) (ag)) requiring town boards to approve such limits when road saturation occurs. The bill also updates existing law (88.90 (1)) to let property owners affected by flooding from negligent waterway obstructions demand removal by notifying the landowner responsible. This directly affects towns managing water bodies, dam operators, and property owners near waterways. The changes focus on preventing infrastructure damage from water levels and clarifying recourse for flood-related harm.

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 summaryThis bill requires towns to approve water diversion or elevation projects before they can proceed. Specifically, it mandates that town boards must pass a resolution approving projects using pumps or other methods to divert water to unnatural locations or raise water levels above natural elevations. Exceptions only apply during emergencies. The law directly affects developers, municipalities, and property owners involved in such water projects within town boundaries. It creates a new requirement (Section 31.16) that replaces previous departmental authority for these projects.

Maddy summarySB 970 allows financial institutions (like banks and credit unions) to refuse or delay specific financial transactions when they reasonably suspect financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult. This applies to transactions involving the vulnerable adult’s account, accounts where they are a beneficiary, or accounts of suspected perpetrators. Financial institutions must notify authorized account holders (unless the notifier is the suspected perpetrator) and report incidents to adult-at-risk agencies, while retaining the right to delay transactions for up to 15 business days. The bill also provides legal immunity for financial institutions acting in good faith based on reasonable suspicion.