Sen. Dianne Hesselbein

Maddy summarySB 820 gives the state superintendent of public instruction (or their designee) the authority to issue subpoenas during investigations into revoking professional licenses for incompetency or immoral conduct. The bill creates new statute sections (115.31(2c) and 885.01(6)) allowing the superintendent to compel witness testimony or document production using subpoenas in the same format as those authorized under section 885.02. This directly affects license holders facing potential revocation and streamlines investigations by providing clear subpoena authority. The bill does not change license standards or revocation criteria, only the process for gathering evidence during investigations.

Maddy summarySB 881 increases annual funding for crime victim services by $17.1 million for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27, directed to the Department of Justice. This appropriation supports statewide victim services programs, including counseling, legal advocacy, and emergency assistance for crime victims. The bill also allocates $4.0 million to convert 17 existing FED (funded employee) positions to GPR (general purpose revenue) positions within the Department. These changes directly affect crime victim service providers and the Department of Justice’s capacity to deliver support.

Maddy summarySB 867 creates a new grant program to help cities, towns, nonprofits, and tribal governments plant and maintain trees in urban areas to combat "urban heat islands" - places significantly warmer than surrounding natural areas. The bill provides grants covering up to $100,000 per project for tree planting, maintenance, and replacement to reduce heat effects, with $500,000 appropriated for fiscal year 2025-26. It also allows separate grants for replacing storm-damaged trees in declared emergency areas, exempting these recipients from cost-sharing requirements. The program directly benefits communities facing extreme heat, particularly in densely built neighborhoods.

Maddy summarySB 894 creates a new grant program to fund crime victim protective services, directly benefiting crime victims and the agencies serving them. It allocates $2.57 million biennially (starting 2025-26) from the Justice Department budget to provide grants to law enforcement agencies and prosecutors. These grants will cover services like temporary housing for victims of crime. The bill also authorizes one new full-time position at the Justice Department to administer the program.

Maddy summarySB 808 creates a "blue envelope program" to improve communication between law enforcement and individuals with invisible disabilities during traffic stops. It requires the state department to provide free blue envelopes containing vehicle registration/insurance copies, traffic stop safety tips, and spaces for emergency contacts or accommodation requests. Individuals with disabilities (covered under the ADA or needing accommodations), their families, or legal guardians can obtain an envelope by declaring their condition. The program mandates law enforcement training on using the envelopes and includes provisions for tracking envelope issuances. This bill directly affects people with disabilities, their representatives, and law enforcement officers interacting during traffic stops.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits the amount patients can pay out of pocket for insulin by setting a maximum cost-sharing cap of $35 per one-month supply for disability insurance policies and self-insured health plans. It applies to plans that currently cover insulin and charge copayments, deductibles, or coinsurance, while allowing insurers to charge less than the cap or no cost at all. The legislation also clarifies that existing diabetes coverage requirements for insulin pumps and supplies remain unchanged, though pump coverage may still be limited to one per year. The changes would take effect on the first day of the fourth month after the bill is published.

Maddy summarySJR 123 is a symbolic resolution designating March 2026 as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Month across Wisconsin. It does not create new laws or allocate funds but formally encourages all Wisconsin residents to learn about MS and support those affected by the disease. The resolution recognizes the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s work and aims to raise public awareness about MS, which impacts approximately 1 million people in the U.S. and typically affects individuals aged 20-50.

Maddy summarySB 718 would provide free admission to Wisconsin state parks for veterans and gold star families. Specifically, it allows free entry for vehicles (excluding motor buses) occupied by individuals who can verify their status as a veteran (per federal law) or as a family member of a service member who died in action (a "gold star" family). The bill creates a new statute requiring parks to honor this exemption upon presentation of valid proof. It directly affects veterans, their families, and state park operations by adding this specific access benefit. The policy change is limited to admission fees, not other park services or costs.

Maddy summarySB 728 requires state correctional institutions and county jails to provide free menstrual products that are free from harmful chemicals to inmates experiencing menstruation. It mandates at least three brands of tampons (including one with a plastic applicator) and three brands of pads, plus one brand of reusable menstrual cup, all selected from a list of verified products. Facilities must also ensure they can sanitize reusable cups as needed, with verification procedures developed by the department and sheriffs. The bill focuses on ensuring access to safe, affordable menstrual products without specifying funding mechanisms.

Maddy summarySB 716 adds a new provision (973.017(8m)) to sentencing guidelines, allowing courts to consider post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosed from military service as a mitigating factor during sentencing for veterans. It specifically applies to individuals who served in the U.S. armed forces and have a documented PTSD diagnosis linked to their military service. The bill does not change sentencing ranges but gives judges discretion to weigh this factor when determining penalties for eligible veterans convicted of crimes. This affects veterans with service-connected PTSD who are facing sentencing in criminal cases. The bill takes effect for offenses committed on its effective date.