Sen. Dianne Hesselbein

Maddy summarySB 775 creates a state program reimbursing corn farmers for nonlethal seed coating costs to prevent sandhill crane damage. Eligible farmers (with at least $6,000 in annual farm revenue) can receive up to 50% of seed coating costs, capped at $6,250 per season. The program prioritizes farmers with federal crane permits, prior reimbursement recipients, or land identified as high-risk for crane damage. It is funded by a new $1.875 million annual appropriation for the Department of Agriculture.

Maddy summarySB 762 creates a state grant program to fund testing and mapping of privately owned wells to assess groundwater quality and contamination. It provides up to $10,000 per grant to counties, cities, villages, or towns for well testing and geologic studies, and up to $10,000 to health departments for public education on well testing. The bill requires grant recipients to submit anonymized testing results to the Department of Natural Resources and the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, while directing municipalities to inform residents about well testing importance. The program is funded with $2.5 million annually from the environmental fund, with rule-making authority granted to the Department of Natural Resources.

Maddy summarySB 756 requires health insurance plans in Wisconsin to cover sterilization procedures (such as vasectomies or tubal ligations) and associated patient education/counseling if the plan already covers other contraceptive services. This applies to all health insurance policies and plans that provide contraceptive coverage under existing rules. The bill amends Wisconsin Statute 632.895 to explicitly include sterilization under the same coverage requirements as other contraceptives. It takes effect for new policy years beginning in 2026.

Maddy summarySB 740 would create an online hub for Wisconsin small businesses, managed by the state department, to centralize key information. The clearinghouse must include details on government contract bidding opportunities, economic development programs, business training events, licensing requirements, and tax/fee obligations. It requires coordination with state agencies (like economic development and revenue departments), local governments, and economic organizations to compile and publish this information. The bill directly affects Wisconsin small businesses seeking to navigate state regulations, contracts, and support programs. The online resource aims to simplify access to state-level business support information.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans covering state or local government employees (including disability insurance and self-insured health plans) to cover FDA-approved home test kits for sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, when medically necessary and ordered by a healthcare provider. It defines "home test kits" as self-collection products meeting CDC/FDA standards (like CLIA waivers or FDA approval) for use outside clinical settings. Coverage must include all associated lab processing costs for qualifying kits. The law applies to government-affiliated health plans, effective 4 months after publication.

Maddy summarySB 752 creates a Wisconsin program that automatically deposits $25 into college savings accounts for children born in Wisconsin whose parents resided here at birth, provided they're under age 10. The state uses birth record data to identify eligible children, allowing parents to opt out within 30 days. Annual deposits are capped at $2 million, and the program excludes children from safe haven births, adoption records, or "do not contact" flags. This expands the existing college savings program by adding state contributions without requiring new family contributions.

Maddy summarySB 753 redirects $2 million annually from the college savings program trust fund to the Department of Financial Institutions. It authorizes the department to deposit funds into college savings accounts for children born or adopted in the state, residing there, and designated as beneficiaries under existing law (s. 224.50). The bill adds one full-time position to administer these deposits and provides specific funding increases: $446,900 for 2025-26 implementation and $317,900 for 2026-27 ongoing operations. All funds must cover qualified higher education expenses for the children in these accounts.

Maddy summarySB 67 creates a state reimbursement program for schools providing universal free meals to all students. It directly affects public schools, charter schools, private schools, tribal schools, and residential care centers participating in federal meal programs. The bill establishes a 15-cent-per-breakfast reimbursement rate from state funds (using existing appropriations) for schools meeting federal meal requirements, while matching federal reimbursement rates for lunches. It repeals the previous school meal reimbursement statute (115.341) and requires schools to serve free meals to all students without cost during school days. Payments begin for meals served in the 2025-26 school year, with reimbursements calculated based on federal rates and prorated by meal counts.

Maddy summarySJR 3 is a non-binding resolution that proclaims January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month in Wisconsin. It does not create new laws, allocate funds, or impose legal obligations. The resolution aims to raise public awareness about human trafficking, defined as exploitation through force, fraud, or coercion, and aligns with statewide efforts to combat this issue. The proclamation is intended for general public education and community engagement, not specific policy changes.

Maddy summarySB 50 establishes a Prescription Drug Affordability Review Board to address prescription drug costs, requiring it to meet quarterly and include balanced representation from pharmaceutical manufacturers, health insurers, healthcare providers, and the public. The bill allocates $500,000 annually for state operations related to this board and funds a pilot project to create value-based diabetes medication arrangements with pharmacy benefit managers. It also modifies Medicaid copayment rules to prevent providers from denying care due to inability to pay copays, while creating a new tool for prescribers to disclose drug costs to patients. Additionally, the bill authorizes partnerships with out-of-state drug repositories and allows pharmacists to count free clinic volunteer hours toward continuing education requirements.