Sen. Dianne Hesselbein

Maddy summarySB 548 establishes a state program for chronic wasting disease (CWD) testing in deer. It requires the Department of Natural Resources to set up sampling stations - including self-service kiosks - where hunters can drop off deer tissue for CWD testing. The department may contract with private entities to conduct the testing, paying per sample. The bill appropriates $500,000 for fiscal year 2025-26 and $500,000 for 2026-27 to fund this program, directly affecting hunters who submit samples and the state agency administering the testing.

Maddy summarySB 568 changes how leftover scholarship funds are handled when students leave private school choice programs or charter schools. If a student withdraws mid-year from a Parental Choice Program, Special Needs Scholarship Program, or independent charter school and enrolls in a public school district, the state must pay the remaining scholarship amount to that public district instead of the original private school or charter operator. This applies to all covered programs and ensures public school districts receive funds for students who switch during the school year. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 629 allows students to sue private colleges that violate enrollment rules or provide false/misleading information about programs or costs. It directly affects students who paid fees to schools breaking these rules, enabling them to recover those fees plus legal costs and attorney fees. The bill amends existing law to add this civil remedy, specifically targeting schools that fail to meet standards or deceive students. It does not create new rules for schools but provides a legal tool for affected students. The bill applies to conduct occurring on or after its effective date.

Maddy summarySJR 109 is a symbolic resolution recognizing October 26, 2025, and 2026, as Intersex Awareness Day in Wisconsin. It commemorates the first public demonstration by intersex people in the U.S. on October 26, 1996, and aims to raise awareness about intersex individuals - those born with variations in sex characteristics - and the challenges they face, including stigma and unnecessary medical procedures. The resolution does not create new laws or policies; it is purely a formal acknowledgment by the Wisconsin Legislature to honor the intersex community. This recognition aligns with national observances but has no direct legal effect on residents or government actions.

Maddy summarySB 634 eliminates a legal exception that previously allowed spouses to avoid prosecution for sexual crimes against minor spouses. It amends statutes (948.09 and 948.093) to remove language stating that sexual assault laws do not apply when the victim is the defendant’s spouse, making it a crime for a spouse to engage in sexual activity with a minor regardless of marriage age. This change directly affects minors who married as children and their spouses, ensuring such acts can now be prosecuted under standard sexual assault laws. The bill also adds a new provision (767.185) allowing minors under 18 to file for divorce.

Maddy summarySJR 110 is a non-binding resolution introduced by Wisconsin legislators calling for the federal government to immediately resolve the U.S.-China trade war. It specifically aims to address how the ongoing trade conflict harms Wisconsin's $1.3 billion soybean industry, which employs 16,000 farmers, by preventing U.S. soybean exports to China while China purchases soybeans from Argentina instead. The resolution cites a $20 billion U.S. bailout for Argentina (including a currency swap) as an example of prioritizing foreign interests over Wisconsin farmers during a federal budget shutdown. It urges the federal government to end the trade war to protect Wisconsin's agricultural economy. The resolution has been referred to a committee but has no legal force.

Maddy summarySJR 111 is a joint resolution designating October 2025 and October 2026 as Cybersecurity Awareness Month in Wisconsin. It formally asks the Wisconsin State Legislature to recognize these months for public education on cybersecurity threats like phishing and identity theft. This resolution does not create new laws or impose obligations - it is a symbolic designation to raise awareness, consistent with the national observance since 2003. The resolution was introduced by multiple senators and representatives in November 2025.

Maddy summarySB 618 allows renters who are veterans or surviving spouses to claim the property tax credit based on their rent payments instead of property taxes. The bill amends tax statutes to define "rent constituting property taxes" and permits eligible renters to file for this credit against their income taxes, with unused portions paid via state funds. It specifically applies to renters in veterans' principal dwellings, and couples filing separately can claim 50% of total rent paid. The law takes effect for taxable years beginning January 1, 2026. This expands an existing homeowner-focused credit to include qualifying renters without creating new funding.

Maddy summarySB 494 repeals two statutes (66.0134 and 947.21) that currently prohibit state and local governments from regulating labor practices. This change would allow cities and counties to establish their own workplace standards, such as minimum wage requirements or safety rules, without state restrictions. The bill directly affects local governments by removing barriers to creating tailored labor regulations for their jurisdictions. It is a procedural bill focused solely on removing existing prohibitions, with no new regulations created.

Maddy summarySB 664 lowers the disability rating requirement for veterans and surviving spouses to qualify for the state property tax credit. Previously, claimants needed a 100% service-connected disability rating; this bill reduces that threshold to 70% or higher. It also creates a new provision allowing the credit amount to be calculated as a percentage of the full credit based on the veteran's actual disability rating (e.g., a 70% rating would yield 70% of the full credit). The bill directly affects veterans and surviving spouses with service-connected disabilities rated between 70% and 99%, who now qualify for a proportional tax credit. The change applies to taxable years beginning in the year the bill takes effect.