Sen. Dianne Hesselbein

Maddy summarySB 336 establishes new rules for private firearm transfers in Wisconsin, primarily affecting individuals selling or gifting firearms to non-family members. The bill requires background checks for most private sales through a firearms dealer, including a $10 fee per check, and creates an exception for transfers to family members (spouse, parent, child, etc.) if the recipient is 18+ and not prohibited from owning firearms. Violating these rules results in a misdemeanor charge with fines up to $10,000 or a 2-year firearms possession ban. The law also mandates new forms requiring buyers to certify they won’t transfer firearms to prohibited individuals, with false statements classified as a felony.

Maddy summarySJR 70 is a ceremonial resolution designating June 12, 2025, as "Women Veterans Day" in Wisconsin. It directly recognizes Wisconsin's over 29,000 women veterans, who currently make up about 10% of the state's veteran population. The resolution commemorates the anniversary of President Truman signing the Women's Armed Services Integration Act (June 12, 1948) and acknowledges women veterans' service and unique challenges like higher rates of PTSD and unemployment. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new programs or alter existing laws - it simply urges the state legislature to formally honor women veterans on this date.

Maddy summarySB 513 requires public high school districts to provide voter registration forms and nonpartisan voting information to students who become eligible to vote (typically age 18). Schools must distribute the state-prescribed registration form along with materials explaining voting's role in democracy. This applies to students meeting voting eligibility criteria within their school district. The bill aims to increase voter registration accessibility during high school, directly affecting eligible students and school districts.

Maddy summarySB 572 establishes new rules for selling and reselling entertainment event tickets. It requires sellers to clearly disclose the total price (including all fees), seat details, and itemized costs before purchase. The bill bans selling tickets not in a seller’s possession ("speculative sales"), restricts reselling tickets before public sales or through fan clubs, and prohibits deceptive practices like using artist names without permission. It also mandates full refunds within 10 days for canceled events, counterfeit tickets, or tickets that don’t match descriptions.

Maddy summarySB 512 allows public high schools to serve as voter registration sites for enrolled students and school staff during regular school days. It requires municipal clerks to work with school boards to appoint special registration deputies at each high school, who collect completed forms and forward them to the municipal clerk. Students who register while under 18 will be automatically added to the voter rolls when they turn 18, provided they meet eligibility requirements. The bill directly affects high school students and staff in municipalities with public high schools, streamlining registration access during the school year. Private and tribal high schools with many local residents may also participate under specific conditions.

Maddy summarySJR 102 is a symbolic resolution honoring the 200th anniversary of Norwegian immigration to the United States. It commemorates the 1825 voyage of the sloop *Restauration*, which carried Norwegian immigrants seeking religious freedom to the U.S., and acknowledges that over 800,000 Norwegians emigrated to America between 1825 and 1925, with Wisconsin becoming home to 25% of Norwegian Americans by 1900. The resolution formally designates 2025 as the year to celebrate this bicentennial, recognizing the cultural impact of Norwegian immigrants on Wisconsin and U.S. history. As a commemorative resolution, it has no binding effect or policy changes.

Maddy summarySB 425 establishes an annual sales tax holiday for specific school-related items, directly affecting families purchasing back-to-school supplies. The bill defines "eligible property" to include clothing (excluding accessories like belts), school supplies (e.g., notebooks, calculators), school art supplies (e.g., paints, sketch pads), and instructional materials (e.g., textbooks), while excluding items like protective gear or computer accessories. It creates new statutory provisions (77.54 (76)) to clarify qualifying items and mandates state reimbursement to counties/municipalities for lost tax revenue (via 20.835 (4)(a)). The holiday applies annually during a designated period, allowing tax-free purchases of these defined items.

Maddy summarySB 514 allows 16- and 17-year-olds to preregister to vote using standard registration methods, such as online or mail-in forms. The bill creates a new section (6.31) specifying that preregistration is available for eligible individuals aged 16 or 17 under existing voter eligibility rules. Crucially, preregistered names cannot appear on official voter lists until the individual turns 18, ensuring they cannot vote before reaching the legal voting age. This change streamlines the process for young people to become active voters once they turn 18, without altering the minimum voting age requirement.

Maddy summarySB 503 creates a $200,000 annual grant program to fund safe firearm disposal initiatives run by counties or law enforcement agencies. Eligible entities must advertise the program, use law enforcement personnel (with possible overtime funding), securely store firearms until destruction, prevent fraud, require dealer inspections before payment, and restrict gift cards from being redeemed for firearms. The bill requires grantees to report firearm details and program outcomes to the Department of Justice, with annual reports due by July 1, 2028. This program directly affects local jurisdictions implementing firearm disposal services, providing funding to support their safe collection and destruction efforts.

Maddy summarySJR 104 is a ceremonial resolution recognizing September 23, 2025, and September 23, 2026, as "Celebrate Bisexuality Day" in Wisconsin. It does not create new laws or allocate funding but formally acknowledges the bisexual community's contributions and resilience. The resolution highlights the annual observance of this day nationally and internationally, aiming to increase visibility and respect for bisexual individuals. It directly affects Wisconsin's bisexual community by affirming legislative support for their recognition. This is a symbolic gesture, not a substantive policy change.