Sen. Cory Tomczyk

Maddy summarySB 595 establishes new procedures to verify voter eligibility under federal requirements. It mandates that Wisconsin's Elections Commission match voter registration data with state databases (DMV, vital records, corrections) to confirm U.S. citizenship and remove ineligible voters. Municipal clerks must conduct annual audits, report results monthly, and verify registration changes in real-time. The bill also updates complaint processes for eligibility disputes, requiring the Commission to resolve such cases within 89 days and publish outcomes publicly. These changes directly affect the Elections Commission, local election officials, and voters whose registration is reviewed for citizenship status.

Maddy summarySB 650 defines "transnational repression" as actions by foreign agents targeting individuals (like activists or journalists) to silence them due to political views. It creates three key provisions: (1) requires Wisconsin's Department of Justice to develop law enforcement training, public awareness campaigns, and a reporting portal for transnational repression cases; (2) increases penalties for crimes committed as transnational repression (e.g., raising a Class B felony to a Class A felony); and (3) criminalizes enforcing foreign laws without federal or state approval, punishable as a Class E felony with a minimum 3-year prison term. The bill directly affects foreign government agents, law enforcement, and individuals targeted by transnational repression. It focuses on prevention, awareness, and stricter penalties for specific foreign interference tactics.

Maddy summarySB 553 clarifies that certain medical procedures performed to save a pregnant woman's life do not count as "abortion" under state law. The bill creates specific definitions for terms like "anembryonic pregnancy," "ectopic pregnancy," and "molar pregnancy," and explicitly states that abortion does not include procedures like emergency cesarean sections, removal of a dead fetus, or treatment for these specific conditions when doctors make reasonable efforts to preserve both the mother's and unborn child's life. This directly affects healthcare providers who perform these emergency procedures and pregnant patients facing medical crises. The law updates multiple statutes to ensure these scenarios are excluded from the legal definition of abortion.

Maddy summarySB 519 prohibits unauthorized drone operation over school property, including public, private, and tribal schools, as defined in the bill. Exceptions allow drone use with school board authorization or for specific law enforcement purposes like search/rescue operations, locating escaped prisoners, or preventing imminent danger. Violations carry a $5,000 penalty, and law enforcement must seize drone footage related to violations for transfer to the appropriate agency. The bill directly affects drone operators near schools and clarifies enforcement procedures for such incidents.

Maddy summarySB 373 limits health insurance plans' use of prior authorization for physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and chiropractic care. It prohibits requiring prior approval for the first 12 visits per condition (or 90 days for chronic pain management at up to twice weekly visits) and mandates equivalent copays to primary care. Insurance plans must explain coverage denials in plain language and decide on reauthorizations within 3 business days (or approval is automatic). This directly affects health insurance plans and patients seeking these specific therapies in the state.

Maddy summarySB 672 prohibits health insurance plans (including Medical Assistance) from covering organ transplants or related care if the organ was transplanted in, originates from, or was procured in a country designated by the department as participating in forced organ harvesting. The bill defines forced organ harvesting as the removal of organs through coercion, deception, or abuse of power. It exempts life-saving post-transplant care for individuals who already received a prohibited transplant. The department will designate qualifying countries, and the law applies to all disability insurance, self-insured health plans, and Medical Assistance programs. (SB 672, Section 1)

Maddy summarySB 403 requires political committees, conduits, and parties to verify the credit card verification value (CVV) and a U.S. billing address for online credit card donations. It directly affects organizations accepting such donations, with an exception for U.S. citizens living abroad who must instead provide their U.S. voter registration address. The bill mandates treasurers to maintain donor records for reporting and imposes penalties on financial institutions that process these donations without the required verification, requiring them to forfeit the full contribution amount. This aims to enhance transparency and prevent fraudulent or non-compliant online political donations.

Maddy summarySB 97 requires public school boards, private school governing bodies, and charter school operators to notify parents or guardians when a report alleges sexual misconduct by a school staff member (as defined in Wisconsin law). Schools must provide this notification in person, by phone, or voicemail within specific timeframes - by 5 p.m. same day if reported before school ends, or by noon the next day otherwise. The law applies only to allegations involving staff members, not parents or guardians, and excludes reports received by unqualified school personnel. This bill directly affects parents of students in Wisconsin public, private, and charter schools by mandating timely communication about potential safety concerns involving school staff.

Maddy summarySB 649 prohibits state-funded medical and research facilities from using genetic software or operational tools developed by foreign adversaries (as defined by federal regulations), and bans storing human genome data of state residents within foreign adversary countries. It directly affects facilities receiving state or federal funds for health services or genetic research, requiring them to keep all genomic data within the state and inaccessible to foreign adversaries. Key provisions include a $10,000 penalty per violation for noncompliance, enforced by the state attorney general, with exceptions for clinical trials under federal guidelines. The bill focuses on restricting data and software access from designated foreign entities to protect genomic information.

Maddy summarySJR 87 is a resolution by the Wisconsin Legislature to commemorate the U.S. Marine Corps' 250th anniversary on November 10, 2025, marking the date the Continental Congress authorized its founding in 1775. It recognizes the Corps' historical service and acknowledges Marines training at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin, including their role in activities like the Cold Weather Operations Course. The resolution expresses legislative appreciation but does not create new laws, funding, or legal obligations. It is a symbolic gesture celebrating military heritage without imposing concrete policy changes.