Sen. Cory Tomczyk

Maddy summarySB 136 amends school bus lighting rules to allow painted school buses (per §347.44(1)) to use specific safety features. It permits one amber or white back-up lamp on each side (mounted near wheels, with downward light direction), front and rear illuminated signs (steady, non-glaring light), and LED strobe lights meeting SAE J845 Class II standards. These changes directly affect school bus manufacturers, school districts, and the Department of Transportation (which will set installation rules). The bill updates existing safety equipment requirements without creating new mandates, focusing solely on technical specifications for lighting and signage.

Maddy summarySB 248 modifies Wisconsin's driver's license rules for individuals required to use ignition interlock devices (IIDs) after DUI convictions. It extends license restrictions by 180 days for specific IID violations, including three or more failed breath tests within 60 days, tampering with the device, or unauthorized removal. Drivers can dispute violations by providing documentation within 15 days, such as proof of device malfunction or an explanation for the incident. The bill also clarifies eligibility for a work driving license (occupational license) after 30-45 days of license suspension, contingent on IID installation and compliance with safety plans. These changes apply to drivers with multiple DUI convictions or license suspensions under existing law.

Maddy summarySB 128 establishes a Municipal PFAS Grant Program to help communities test for and address PFAS ("forever chemicals") in drinking water systems. It allows water utilities to use service funds to cover up to half the cost of source reduction measures (like filtration) if cheaper than endpoint treatment, and creates an exception for utilities acting quickly on unexpected PFAS contamination (without penalties if they notify regulators within 30 days and costs stay under $2 million). The bill prioritizes projects addressing serious health risks and extends grant eligibility to disadvantaged communities affected by water contamination, regardless of their existing service area status. It also creates a referral system connecting PFAS contamination claims to the existing Innocent Landowner Grant Program.

Maddy summarySB 191 requires courts to serve subpoenas for law enforcement officers, tribal law enforcement officers, public officers, or public employees at their workplace address - not their home address - when their testimony relates to official duties. This applies to all witnesses in these roles whose testimony concerns actions taken in their official capacity or employment. The bill specifies that subpoenas must be delivered by giving a copy to the individual at work, leaving it at the workplace, or presenting it to them there. It updates legal procedures to streamline service for these officials while clarifying that "address" for such testimony means their employer’s street address under defined circumstances.

Maddy summarySB 127 exempts specific entities from PFAS-related enforcement actions under Wisconsin's spills law, provided they allow the state to clean up contaminated land at no cost to them. It directly affects landowners who spread permitted biosolids/wastewater containing PFAS, fire departments using PFAS in emergencies, airports, municipalities, solid waste facilities, and property owners not responsible for the contamination. The key provision requires these entities to grant permission for state-led remediation, removing liability under certain enforcement sections of the spills law. This applies to PFAS chemicals commonly found in firefighting foam and industrial products. The bill does not change PFAS contamination standards but alters enforcement responsibilities for qualifying parties.

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 summarySB 84 exempts real estate transfers between grandparents and grandchildren from the state's real estate transfer fee when the transfer is for nominal or no consideration (such as a gift). This change adds "grandparent and grandchild" to the existing list of family relationships already exempt under Wisconsin law, which includes parent-child and stepparent-stepchild transfers. The exemption applies only to transfers filed on or after the law's effective date (November 1, 2025), and does not apply to standard market-rate sales. This bill directly affects families transferring property between these generations without monetary exchange, reducing associated costs.

Maddy summarySB 995 would appropriate state funds to cover individual income tax rebates for 2026, directly affecting eligible Wisconsin residents who qualify for these rebates under prior law. The bill creates a new statutory provision requiring the state to allocate sufficient funding to make these rebate payments. It references a 2025 legislative act that established the rebate program but does not change the rebate eligibility or amounts. The bill is currently pending in the Agriculture and Revenue Committee after a committee recommendation for passage.

Maddy summarySB 1 provides a one-time tax rebate to Wisconsin taxpayers who filed individual income tax returns for 2023-2024. Eligible married couples filing jointly receive $1,000, while other individuals receive $500, capped at their actual tax liability for that period. The Wisconsin Department of Revenue will automatically identify eligible taxpayers and issue payments by September 15, 2026, with a claim process available through December 31, 2026, for those who don’t receive the full amount. The bill applies specific tax refund procedures to these rebates, treating them as tax liabilities under existing Wisconsin law.

Maddy summarySB 986 modifies state lottery drawing requirements by requiring all drawings to use random selection methods (via mechanical, electrical, or computerized systems) and mandating annual independent audits. The bill replaces outdated language with new provisions that specify drawing randomness and require yearly reviews of security, technology, and randomly selected drawings by an outside firm. It directly affects the state lottery department, which must implement these changes to ensure transparency and security in its operations. The bill focuses solely on procedural updates to lottery administration without altering prize structures or public participation.