Sen. Romaine Quinn

Maddy summarySB 27 requires all state agency employees to perform their regular work duties at the agency's physical office during scheduled work hours, beginning July 1, 2025. This applies to employees of state agencies, including the University of Wisconsin System, legislature, courts, and other public bodies listed in the bill. Exceptions include telehealth services and work that was already performed off-site before March 1, 2020. The bill does not affect remote work arrangements established prior to the pandemic or certain health-related duties.

Maddy summarySJR 86 is a ceremonial resolution that commemorates the U.S. Navy's 250th anniversary on October 13, 2025, marking the date the Continental Congress authorized the first naval vessels in 1775. The resolution recognizes the Navy's historical service and legacy, with specific acknowledgment of Wisconsin's naval contributions, including shipbuilding history and vessels named after the state. It does not create new laws or affect any policies or groups - it is purely symbolic. The Wisconsin Legislature formally resolves to celebrate this milestone.

Maddy summarySB 452 would expand eligibility for Wisconsin's private school choice programs to students whose siblings or younger dependent children (e.g., younger siblings) attended participating private schools the previous year. Currently, only students themselves must have attended such schools to qualify. The bill applies to students in grades K-12 outside city school districts (under Section 118.60) and within cities (under Section 119.23). It would take effect for the 2026-27 school year.

Maddy summarySB 411 amends Wisconsin's property tax credit for veterans and surviving spouses, requiring those with disability ratings below 100% to claim credit only up to their disability percentage or on the first $350,000 of property value. It also increases funding for the veterans housing and recovery program by $900,000 in 2025-26 and $1.05 million in 2026-27. Additionally, the bill appropriates $180,000 annually from 2025-27 for the University of Wisconsin's Missing-in-Action Recovery Project, mandating detailed annual reports on mission outcomes and expenditures. These changes directly affect eligible veterans, surviving spouses, and the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs.

Maddy summarySB 12 creates a sales and use tax exemption for gun safes and firearm safety devices. The bill defines qualifying items as locked containers (using combinations, keys, or biometrics) designed solely for secure storage - not display cases - and safety devices preventing unauthorized firearm access. It clarifies that firearms sold with safety devices already installed are taxed as firearms, not as safety devices. This exemption applies directly to consumers purchasing these specific storage or safety products.

Maddy summarySB 560 requires clear labeling for food products containing lab-grown meat (cultured animal cells/tissue), mandating the phrase "lab-grown meat" appear prominently on packaging in contrasting color and size. It prohibits restaurants from substituting lab-grown meat for traditional meat without a customer order and restricts its use in state institutions (like hospitals or prisons) except under specific health directives. Violations carry fines of $100-$500 for first offenses and up to $1,000 for repeat violations. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, directly affecting food manufacturers, restaurants, and state institutions serving food.

Maddy summarySB 600 would enable Wisconsin to participate in a federal tax credit program that allows individuals to deduct contributions to scholarship granting organizations (SGOs) from their state taxes. The bill requires the state education department to annually submit a list of qualifying SGOs meeting federal standards and certify Wisconsin's eligibility to the U.S. Treasury. It gives the governor until July 1, 2026, to decide whether to join the program, which would take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2026. The bill does not create new tax benefits but establishes the state's administrative process to align with the federal program.

Maddy summarySB 244 modifies the state's sales and use tax exemption for qualified data centers. It redefines "qualified data center" to require buildings housing server computers for processing, storing, or managing data, and explicitly allows centers to provide space, utilities, and infrastructure services to tenants. The bill specifically excludes cryptocurrency-related operations (like blockchain verification) from qualifying for the tax exemption. This change directly affects data center operators and businesses that rent space or services within these facilities by altering which facilities qualify for tax savings.

Maddy summarySB 555 requires Wisconsin's executive branch agencies to submit biennial budget requests using "zero-based budgeting" for 20% of agencies each fiscal biennium, starting in 2027-29. This means agencies must justify every budget line item based on current needs and goals, rather than relying on previous funding levels. The bill also mandates that agencies analyze whether past appropriations met their intended goals and explain any shortfalls, with these reports posted online. It directly affects all state executive agencies submitting budget requests, shifting how they justify spending. The changes take effect for the 2027-29 budget cycle.

Maddy summarySB 222 increases penalties for extortion and sexual extortion by making it a Class B felony if the crime directly causes the victim's death. It also expands victim compensation, allowing family members or household members of victims of specific violent crimes (including certain sexual offenses) to claim economic losses from the victim's death. The bill modifies existing statutes to clarify eligibility for these compensation awards, which cover losses like funeral costs or lost wages. These changes directly affect victims of extortion-related deaths and their families seeking financial support.