Sen. Romaine Quinn

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 932 defines artificial intelligence and explicitly states it does not have legal personhood in Wisconsin. The bill creates a new statute section that clarifies AI systems are not considered persons, cannot own property, hold titles, or serve in corporate leadership roles. It also specifies that any assets or interests generated by AI belong to the developer, manufacturer, or owner rather than the AI itself. This legislation aims to prevent AI from being granted rights or legal status similar to humans or other entities.

Maddy summarySJR 124 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow the Wisconsin legislature to suspend state agency rules using a simple majority vote in a joint resolution. If passed, the legislature could stop any rule (or part of a rule) from taking effect - either indefinitely or for a set period - without needing the governor's approval or following regular lawmaking procedures. This would immediately make suspended rules unenforceable during the suspension period. The bill is a constitutional amendment proposal, not a regular law, and is currently in committee review.

Maddy summarySB 940 limits state agencies' rule-making authority by requiring explicit and specific statutory permission for agencies to interpret or implement laws. It prohibits agencies from using policy statements, federal compliance plans, settlement agreements, or court orders as justification for creating rules. The bill also adds a new requirement that agencies must obtain approval from the governor and the relevant policy-making body before drafting new rules. This directly affects state agencies responsible for creating regulations, such as environmental or health departments, by tightening oversight of their regulatory actions.

Maddy summarySB 989 increases funding for the Department of Financial Institutions by $60 million for each of fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27. This appropriation would allow the department to make payments to "Trump accounts" if future legislation expressly authorizes such payments. The bill does not itself authorize payments but creates budget authority for them should they be permitted by other laws. It directly affects the state agency responsible for financial oversight and any entities designated as "Trump accounts" under subsequent statutes. The funding change is purely procedural, with no immediate policy impact until authorized by separate legislation.

Maddy summarySB 994 prohibits the public affairs network from charging fees for accessing live or archived state government proceedings when the network receives state funding for its operations. This applies directly to the state's public affairs network (which broadcasts government meetings) and the public seeking access to those recordings. The bill modifies existing rules to ensure fee-free access regardless of whether state funds are used, removing a prior condition that required explicit state funding for the fee ban. The key provision guarantees public access to government proceedings without cost under state-funded operations.

Maddy summarySB 1084 allows the natural resources board to sell state-owned lands adjacent to or within one mile of commercial egg farms. This sale is intended to prevent the spread of avian flu by creating buffer zones around these facilities. The bill directly affects state lands under the Department of Natural Resources' jurisdiction and commercial egg farms located near them. It creates a new statutory provision (23.15(1m)) to authorize these sales without overriding existing land management rules.

Maddy summarySB 843 requires data centers in Wisconsin to use recycled water cooling systems and report annual water usage. It mandates that renewable energy facilities primarily serving a data center must be located on-site, and prohibits utility customers from paying for infrastructure built for data centers. Operators must post financial bonds equal to reclamation costs before operating and restore land to its original condition if construction stops. The bill applies to all data centers built or operated in Wisconsin under new construction or operational requirements.

Maddy summarySB 890 modifies eligibility for farmland preservation tax credits by disallowing credits for acres with non-accessory photovoltaic solar energy systems installed during the taxable year. Specifically, it prevents tax credits on qualifying farmland where such solar systems (defined as not being accessory uses, like rooftop installations) are present. The bill creates new provisions to track both total qualifying acres and acres affected by these solar systems. This change directly impacts farmers seeking farmland preservation tax credits who have installed larger-scale solar installations on their land, effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new civil legal option for victims of sexual extortion to sue for damages without needing to go through criminal court proceedings. It allows individuals who suffer physical injury, emotional distress, or property loss due to sexual extortion to file a lawsuit against the perpetrator, with provisions for parents or guardians to sue on behalf of children. The law permits plaintiffs to use initials instead of their real names in court filings to protect their privacy and allows for recovery of emotional distress damages, punitive damages, and legal fees. Importantly, victims can pursue this civil action regardless of whether criminal charges were filed or the outcome of any criminal case.