Sen. Tim Carpenter

Maddy summarySB 631 requires private colleges seeking state approval to maintain a reserve fund equal to 25% of their highest annual revenue from the past five years (or projected first-year revenue for new schools). This fund would compensate students who suffer financial loss due to school fraud, failure to fulfill contracts, or closure. The bill also establishes a $3 per $1,000 fee on schools' annual revenue to build this protection fund, which stops collecting once the fund reaches $5 million. It directly affects private postsecondary schools needing state approval to operate in the state.

Maddy summarySB 623 imposes a moratorium on issuing new permits for mining sulfide ore bodies (mining operations that extract minerals mixed with sulfide minerals) until specific environmental safety conditions are met. It requires the Department of Natural Resources to verify that similar mining operations in the U.S. or Canada have operated for at least 10 years without polluting water from acid drainage or heavy metals, or that such operations have closed safely for 10 years. This applies to all permit applications, regardless of when they were submitted, directly affecting mining companies seeking new sulfide ore permits in the state. The bill creates a new statute (293.50) to enforce this requirement while allowing permits to proceed once the conditions are satisfied.

Maddy summarySB 630 requires private postsecondary schools enrolling Wisconsin residents to derive at least 20% of their annual revenue from non-federal sources in 2 of their last 3 fiscal years. This rule directly affects private colleges and universities in Wisconsin that seek to enroll state residents. The bill establishes a clear funding threshold to ensure schools have diversified revenue streams beyond federal education assistance. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction will create rules to implement this requirement, which takes effect for the 2028-29 academic year.

Maddy summarySB 619 allows drivers and ID card holders to obtain electronic copies of their license or ID card from the department. It requires the department to issue these electronic copies for a $10 fee, while permitting drivers to display them on phones or devices during traffic stops. The bill ensures officers can only view the license/ID image, not other phone content, and specifies that the $10 fee applies only to electronic copies (not physical duplicates). This directly affects individuals who choose to use digital versions of their license or ID instead of physical cards. The law creates new fee structures and privacy protections for electronic document display.

Maddy summarySB 659 requires courts to order drivers convicted of two or more serious speeding violations (exceeding speed limits by 20+ mph) within five years to install a speed limiter on all their vehicles. The speed limiter is an aftermarket device that prevents vehicles from exceeding a set speed, and courts must order this for "Class D" vehicles (typically passenger cars). Drivers with household incomes below 150% of the poverty line may have costs reduced by half, and failure to install or tampering with the device is a punishable offense. The bill establishes a state program to manage speed limiter providers and fees, using existing infrastructure from ignition interlock programs. It directly affects repeat reckless drivers, not the general public.

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 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 500 amends Wisconsin's unemployment insurance law to make it easier for workers who quit jobs to qualify for benefits. It extends the timeframe for employees to voluntarily terminate work without losing benefits from 30 days to 10 weeks after starting a job. The bill also revises the definition of "suitable work" for weeks 7-11 of unemployment, requiring wages to be above the lowest quartile for similar jobs in the area, rather than requiring relevant experience or training. These changes directly affect unemployed workers who leave jobs due to unsuitable work conditions.

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.