Sen. Romaine Quinn

Maddy summarySB 312 prohibits changing the sex marker on a birth certificate to reflect a person's gender identity. It defines "biological sex" as the sex assigned at birth based on chromosomes, and bans courts from ordering such changes - even after gender-affirming surgery. The bill affects transgender individuals seeking to update their birth certificates to match their gender identity. Key provisions include creating new statutes (69.115, 69.12 (2m)) that prevent sex marker changes and amending existing laws to remove court authority for such updates. The bill does not affect name changes on birth records.

Maddy summarySB 441 clarifies and expands access for election observers at all stages of voting, including recounts, absentee voting, and vote tabulation. It requires election officials to designate observation areas at least 3 feet but no more than 8 feet from voting tables and ensures uniform, nondiscriminatory access to all election processes. The bill also mandates that recounts be conducted publicly with observers allowed to view materials but not handle ballots. These changes directly affect election officials (clerks, inspectors, canvassers) and election observers, with violations carrying fines up to $1,000 or 90 days in jail.

Maddy summarySB 3 requires local governments to approve certain wind and solar energy projects before the Public Service Commission can review them. This directly affects renewable energy developers seeking to build projects and local municipalities responsible for granting permits. The bill creates a new step where community-level approval must be secured prior to state-level review by the Public Service Commission. This changes the current process by adding a mandatory local consent requirement before state agencies can act on these projects.

Maddy summarySB 206 makes certain terms in Wisconsin residential rental agreements void and unenforceable if they violate specific protections. It directly affects tenants and landlords by prohibiting clauses that allow retaliation for contacting services (e.g., law enforcement or health services), termination due to a tenant being a crime victim, or termination without required notice for crimes on property. Tenants can choose to void their entire lease or sever only the prohibited clause, with remedies including a periodic tenancy (renewable month-to-month) and double damages for financial losses caused by prohibited terms. The bill specifically targets provisions under sections 704.44(1m) to (10) of Wisconsin statutes, creating clear legal pathways for tenants to challenge unfair lease terms.

Maddy summarySB 180 modifies Wisconsin's housing programs under the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA). It allows WHEDA to offer loans with interest rates at or below market rate minus 1% (or no interest) and requires newly constructed workforce or senior housing to remain affordable for 10 years after initial occupancy. For owner-occupied homes, it restricts resale prices to the original purchase price plus annual inflation (capped at 5% per year), with these rules recorded on property deeds and published online by WHEDA. The bill directly affects developers receiving WHEDA loans and future homeowners purchasing qualifying affordable housing units, applying to new loans starting January 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 371 requires public schools to include specific content in human growth and development classes about pregnancy, prenatal development, and childbirth. It mandates two key instructional tools: a high-definition ultrasound video showing fetal organ development week-by-week, and a presentation detailing each trimester's impact on a mother's physical and emotional health. The bill directly affects public school curricula in human growth and development courses, setting concrete requirements for the instructional materials used. It does not alter existing curriculum standards but specifies the exact content and format for this particular topic. The bill is currently under review in the Education Committee.

Maddy summarySB 323 establishes a state program providing no-interest loans to eligible dairy farms for specific upgrades. It directly affects dairy operations with 50-714 cows that meet strict criteria, including 98% in-state workforce, no recent environmental or safety violations, and legal employment compliance. Loans can fund technologies to improve milk production efficiency, animal health, milk quality, or reduce environmental impacts from manure management. The program prioritizes applicants creating new skilled jobs or reducing environmental effects per gallon of milk produced. The bill creates a formal process for applications and administration through the state corporation, with a fiscal estimate received as of July 2025.

Maddy summarySJR 88 is a symbolic resolution honoring Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, following his assassination. It expresses the Wisconsin Legislature's gratitude for his dedication to "faith, liberty, and truth," his work inspiring young Americans, and his commitment to family. The resolution commends his legacy as a "beacon of conviction and courage" and joins in prayer for his family and the nation. As a commemorative measure, it has no binding policy changes or direct impact on constituents.

Maddy summarySB 454 creates a new income tax subtraction for Wisconsin taxpayers who earn qualified overtime compensation, directly affecting workers receiving overtime pay that meets federal tax definitions. It allows individuals to subtract up to $12,500 (or $25,000 for joint filers) of qualifying overtime income from their taxable income each year. The benefit phases out for higher earners: for single filers, the subtraction decreases by $100 for every $1,000 their modified federal adjusted gross income exceeds $150,000, and for joint filers, the threshold is $300,000. The bill specifies that "qualified overtime" excludes tips and aligns with federal definitions under the Internal Revenue Code.

Maddy summarySB 407 creates a grant program to fund Rogers Behavioral Health's new integrated mental health facility in the Chippewa Valley. The bill requires Rogers to submit detailed certification plans for all service levels (inpatient, residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient care) to meet state licensing requirements before receiving funds. It also mandates that the facility accept Medical Assistance recipients (Wisconsin's Medicaid program), admit involuntary patients within two years, and provide annual reports to the Department of Health Services for five years. This bill directly affects Rogers Behavioral Health and mental health patients in the Chippewa Valley region seeking comprehensive care.