Sen. Kelda Roys

Maddy summarySJR 61 designates June 2025 as Pollinator Awareness Month in Wisconsin. This symbolic resolution does not create new laws or funding but aims to raise public awareness about the importance of pollinators like bees and butterflies to agriculture and ecosystems. It highlights Wisconsin's existing efforts, such as "No Mow May" initiatives, which have demonstrated positive impacts on bee populations. The resolution encourages community engagement in pollinator-friendly practices, such as planting native species and reducing pesticide use, without imposing new requirements on residents or organizations.

Maddy summarySB 298 prohibits Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources from using neonicotinoid insecticides on state lands acquired and maintained under section 23.09(2)(d). This directly affects the department's land management practices on public parks, preserves, and conservation areas. The ban includes three key exceptions: existing farming agreements entered before the law's effective date, forest insect control on state forests/nurseries, and designated infestation zones under existing forest management rules. The bill creates a clear policy change by restricting a specific pesticide class on most state lands while preserving necessary forestry applications.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Joint Resolution (SJR 65) is a ceremonial resolution congratulating Southwest Wisconsin Technical College for winning the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. It recognizes the college's national award, which honors its success in student outcomes - particularly for historically underserved groups - and its programs like work-based learning and employer partnerships. The resolution formally commends the college's faculty, staff, students, and community partners for their contributions to Wisconsin's higher education. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new policy or affect any legal obligations.

Maddy summarySB 314 modifies the enrollment cap for Wisconsin's state-funded private school choice program. It replaces the previous calculation method with a new rule setting the pupil participation limit at 10% of a school district's enrollment from the prior school year. This change directly affects all public school districts participating in the program, limiting the number of students they can send to private schools under the state's choice initiative. The bill updates the statute to apply this 10% cap through the 2025-26 school year, as specified in the amended sections.

Maddy summarySB 166 creates a new legal framework for consumer data protection by defining key terms like "personal data," "consent," "biometric data," and "dark patterns" in Wisconsin law. It directly affects businesses that collect personal data from Wisconsin residents (defined as individuals acting in personal, not commercial, contexts) by establishing standards for how they must handle such data. The bill’s key mechanism is setting clear definitions - such as requiring explicit consent for data processing, banning "dark patterns" that trick users, and excluding deidentified data or public records from coverage - to enable future enforcement. It does not yet impose new restrictions or penalties but provides the foundational definitions needed for implementing data protection rules.

Maddy summarySB 251 requires specific health insurance plans - including those offered by state/local governments - to cover asthma prescription drugs and related medical supplies (like inhalers) without deductibles. It caps patient out-of-pocket costs at $25 per month for asthma medications and $50 per month for related supplies, preventing higher costs as treatment needs increase. This applies to limited service health organizations, preferred provider plans, and defined network plans covering asthma treatment. The bill takes effect for new policy years starting after its enactment, ensuring consistent affordability for covered asthma care.

Maddy summarySJR 74 is a ceremonial resolution recognizing June 19, 2025, as Juneteenth Day in Wisconsin. It formally declares this date to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States, referencing the historical event when Union troops announced freedom to enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865. The resolution highlights Wisconsin's longstanding Juneteenth celebration tradition, dating to Milwaukee's first observance in 1971, and acknowledges Juneteenth's national significance as a federal holiday since 2021. This resolution has no legal effect beyond symbolic recognition and does not create new laws or funding.

Maddy summarySB 320 creates $2 million in annual state funding for grants to school boards to provide LGBTQIA+ rights training for school counselors and social workers. The bill requires the Department of Public Instruction to award these grants for training programs developed or approved by the department. It directly affects school counselors, social workers, and school boards across the state, with the training focusing on supporting LGBTQIA+ students. The legislation specifies that "LGBTQIA+" includes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and other nonheterosexual or noncisgender identities.

Maddy summarySB 322 creates a new Child Care Quality Improvement Program within the Department of Children and Families. It provides $221 million in annual funding (for 2025-26) to make monthly payments and per-child payments to certified child care providers, licensed child care centers, and school-based child care programs. The bill establishes rules for eligibility, payment amounts, and how funds must be used, while repealing outdated sections of law related to child care funding. The program is funded through specific appropriations in the state budget, with rules to be developed by the Department of Children and Families.

Maddy summarySJR 67 is a resolution honoring Anna Mae Robertson, a Milwaukee resident and member of the historic 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion (the "Six Triple Eight") during World War II. It recognizes her service in clearing a 17-million-piece mail backlog in England in 1945, her post-war work as a nurse's aide in Milwaukee, and her legacy as one of the last surviving members of the all-Black, all-female battalion. The resolution formally acknowledges her contributions, extends condolences to her family following her death at age 101, and commemorates her recognition with service medals and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2025.