Sen. Julian Bradley

Maddy summarySB 555 requires Wisconsin's executive branch agencies to submit biennial budget requests using "zero-based budgeting" for 20% of agencies each fiscal biennium, starting in 2027-29. This means agencies must justify every budget line item based on current needs and goals, rather than relying on previous funding levels. The bill also mandates that agencies analyze whether past appropriations met their intended goals and explain any shortfalls, with these reports posted online. It directly affects all state executive agencies submitting budget requests, shifting how they justify spending. The changes take effect for the 2027-29 budget cycle.

Maddy summarySB 254 creates a $9 million annual appropriation to fund war memorials in populous counties. Memorial boards must provide at least 50% matching funds to request support for operations, maintenance, construction, or improvements of memorial facilities. The Department of Veterans Affairs reviews requests within 60 days and disburses approved funds within 30 days. Boards must submit annual reports detailing fund usage to the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new exception for certain retired Wisconsin Retirement System members. It allows former county jailers (not protective occupation) and protective occupation retirees to return to work for a participating employer without automatically becoming active retirement system participants. To qualify, they must not have a prior agreement to return, must formally elect not to rejoin the system using a department-provided form, and must have terminated employment without an agreement to return. The change specifically applies to rehires after the bill's effective date, giving these workers a clear path to return to work without automatic retirement system re-enrollment.

Maddy summarySB 381 requires the Wisconsin Supreme Court to form a panel under existing law before temporarily suspending a judge without pay in cases involving alleged judicial misconduct or permanent disability. This new procedural step mandates a hearing to determine "probable cause" for the suspension before it can be imposed. The bill directly affects sitting judges facing misconduct allegations or disability proceedings by adding a formal review process prior to suspension. It amends statute 757.95 to create a specific requirement for this panel hearing, streamlining the suspension process while adding a safeguard. The bill passed committee amendments in November 2025 and is now available for scheduling.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits drone operation over correctional facilities (prisons and jails) without specific authorization from facility leadership. It imposes a $5,000 fine for unauthorized flights and creates a Class H felony charge for using weaponized drones (equipped with tasers, firearms, or explosives) that threaten public safety. Law enforcement officers are authorized to detect, disable, or destroy such drones using lawful methods (like jamming or physical capture) if they reasonably believe immediate action is needed to prevent harm. The law also requires officers to seize drone-recorded footage during violations and shields them from liability for damaging intercepted drones.

Maddy summarySB 633 allows the ethics commission and elections commission to hold closed sessions specifically to discuss information technology security issues affecting their systems. The bill requires these commissions to periodically publish a public summary of such discussions, removing confidential or proprietary details to protect sensitive information. It also restricts access to IT security records, permitting disclosure only to two legislative committees (the joint committee on information policy and technology, and the joint legislative audit committee) for oversight. Additionally, the commissions must specify the exact reason for each closed session before convening. This legislation balances private discussions on security threats with transparency requirements for public accountability.

Maddy summarySJR 4 proposes a constitutional amendment to protect religious gatherings during emergencies. It would amend the state constitution to prohibit state or local governments from closing places of worship or banning gatherings there during a declared state of emergency, including public health crises. This directly affects religious organizations and government entities with emergency authority. The amendment requires voter approval in the November 2026 election, with the ballot question asking if the constitution should be changed to prevent closures of places of worship during emergencies. It is a proposed constitutional change, not a law.

Maddy summarySB 406 requires healthcare providers performing induced abortions to report the sex of the fetus (if determinable by visual inspection) and whether a fetal anomaly existed, including its nature. This bill directly affects abortion providers in Wisconsin who must submit this data to the state health department. The reporting requirements integrate with an existing fetal anomaly registry that tracks diagnoses of birth defects in infants and children. The bill amends statutes to mandate these specific data points for inclusion in the state's registry system and related reports.

Maddy summarySJR 11 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit a governor's partial veto power over appropriation bills. It would restrict the governor to only rejecting entire bill sections that can stand alone as complete, workable laws, rather than allowing them to modify individual words or combine parts of sentences within a section. This change specifically affects how governors can amend or reject budget-related legislation during the approval process. The amendment aims to prevent governors from creating "new words" or "new sentences" by picking and choosing parts of existing bill language.

Maddy summarySB 607 modifies Wisconsin's firearm laws by expanding exemptions for law enforcement officers and adjusting hunting restrictions. It repeals existing limits on concealed carry licenses and creates new exemptions allowing peace officers to carry firearms in vehicles or aircraft while on duty. The bill also reduces the hunting restriction distance near schools and hospitals from 1,700 to 1,200 feet. These changes directly affect law enforcement personnel and hunters, while maintaining existing prohibitions for general firearm use in vehicles and near roadways.