Sen. Dianne Hesselbein

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the WisEARNS program, a state-administered retirement savings plan designed for employees who do not have access to an employer-sponsored retirement plan. It establishes a new WisEARNS board attached to the state treasurer, composed of representatives from various sectors including investments, small business, employees, and employers, with specific requirements to ensure diverse expertise and independence from securities dealers. The board will oversee the selection of a vendor to manage the program, which will automatically enroll eligible employees and allow them to make contributions to retirement savings accounts. The legislation also grants the board rule-making authority and includes an appropriation to fund the program's initial implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow Wisconsin school districts to increase their revenue limits when they spend money on energy efficiency projects. If a school board chooses to participate, the district's spending on energy-saving measures, including debt payments for bonds or loans used to finance those projects, would count toward raising the revenue cap for that school year. To qualify, projects must reduce energy or operational costs, follow a performance contract, and have financing terms of 20 years or less. The legislation also defines eligible projects as facility upgrades, training programs, or services that lower energy use, conserve water, or improve metering accuracy.

Maddy summarySB 729 imposes annual fees on large energy customers (primarily large data centers) based on their peak electricity demand: $2 million for 100-250 MW, $3 million for 250-500 MW, and $1 million more for each additional 250 MW. Fifty percent of these fees fund the Green Innovation Fund via the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. The bill also requires data centers to report actual water usage annually and certify compliance with sustainable building standards (like LEED or BREEAM) within three years of operation. It defines "large-scale data centers" as projects costing $250 million+ in construction or equipment over 60 months.

Maddy summarySB 521 requires the state transportation department to install and maintain two directional highway signs along both eastbound and westbound U.S. Highway 18 for the Mount Horeb Veterans Memorial. The bill creates a new statute (86.19(1g)(i)) mandating this signage to improve navigation to the memorial site. This procedural bill directly affects the department's highway signage responsibilities but does not alter memorial funding, design, or public access. It has no fiscal impact beyond standard maintenance costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state grant program to help school districts provide safe transportation for high school students attending school-sponsored events. The legislation creates new funding categories in the state budget, allocating $500,000 for each of the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years to the Department of Public Instruction for distribution to eligible school districts. The program is designed to assist districts with transportation costs for events such as sports competitions, academic competitions, and other organized activities. The funding is authorized through June 30, 2027, after which the grant program will expire unless renewed by the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the "Our Care, Our Options Act," would create a legal process allowing mentally capable adults with terminal illnesses to request medication to end their lives within six months of diagnosis. It requires patients to make both oral and written requests to their doctors, with a 15-day waiting period between the initial and final requests, though this wait can be waived if death is expected within 15 days. Two separate medical providers must confirm the patient's diagnosis, prognosis, and mental capacity, while also ensuring the patient understands all treatment options and risks before proceeding. The legislation defines specific protections against coercion or undue influence and establishes penalties for violations, while also clarifying that providers who object to participating may refer patients to other qualified providers without facing disciplinary action.

Maddy summarySB 946 requires firearm sellers in Wisconsin to provide a specific written warning about child access risks and either a secure container or trigger lock during retail sales or transfers. The warning must state: "IF YOU LEAVE A LOADED FIREARM WITHIN THE REACH OR EASY ACCESS OF A CHILD YOU MAY BE FINED OR IMPRISONED OR BOTH..." The bill directly affects retail firearm sellers, mandating these provisions at the point of sale. Violations carry penalties of up to $500 fine, 30 days in jail, or both. The legislation focuses on preventing accidental firearm access by children through mandatory seller actions during transactions.

Maddy summarySB 1045 legalizes recreational cannabis possession for adults, establishes a new Division of Cannabis Regulation within the Department of Agriculture, and creates a Cannabis Conviction Review Unit to expunge or adjust past marijuana-related convictions. It allocates $30 million annually for cannabis regulation operations, funds a medical cannabis registry program with $5 million per year, and creates new tax revenue streams for enforcement and research. The bill repeals outdated marijuana laws, regulates cannabis production and sales through licensing, and sets up a system for individuals to seek conviction expungement. These changes directly affect all Wisconsin residents, particularly those with prior cannabis convictions, and establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for the state's cannabis industry.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a joint resolution that formally honors the life and public service of Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, a civil rights activist and politician who passed away in February 2026. The resolution recognizes his contributions to the American civil rights movement, his founding of Operation PUSH, his political campaigns, and his advocacy for racial equity and social justice. It also acknowledges his connections to Wisconsin, including his visits to lead prayers in the state assembly. The bill expresses the legislature's condolences to Jackson's family and community while commemorating his legacy of pursuing freedom and justice.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits disability insurance policies and self-insured health plans from using the Salzmann Evaluation Index alone to deny coverage for treating severe misalignment or malocclusion of teeth. It directly affects dental coverage under various health insurance plans, including limited service organizations, preferred provider plans, and defined network plans. The legislation requires these plans to consider additional clinical factors beyond the Salzmann Index when making prior authorization decisions for orthodontic treatment. The bill applies to policies and plans starting with the 2026-2027 plan year, with additional provisions for collective bargaining agreements.