Sen. Jeff Smith

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution directs the Wisconsin Senate to schedule additional floor sessions between April 14 and April 16, 2026, and to hold extraordinary sessions through December 31, 2026, to consider bills aimed at reducing costs for Wisconsinites. The measure specifically calls for passing legislation introduced by minority party members that address affordability issues such as utility rates, health care premiums, child care costs, and agricultural expenses. It was introduced in March 2026 by a bipartisan group of senators and referred to the Committee on Senate Organization, where it later failed to adopt following a vote to withdraw from committee. The resolution does not create new laws itself but establishes procedural requirements for the Senate to convene additional voting periods during the 2025-26 legislative session.

Maddy summarySB 992 clarifies and expands eligibility for Wisconsin's child care subsidy program (Shares) to include "like-kin" caregivers - non-biological individuals who have formed family-like bonds with children. It directly affects caregivers who provide regular care for children under court orders but aren't blood relatives, such as close family friends or guardians. Key changes include updating definitions to explicitly include "like-kin" in subsidy eligibility, adjusting income calculations to count certain court-ordered payments, and ensuring these caregivers qualify for subsidies when meeting income thresholds. The bill makes no new funding commitments but streamlines access to existing child care support for these families.

Maddy summarySB 991 creates a new annual appropriation of $500,000 for tribal child care training and technical assistance. It directly affects tribal child care providers by funding programs to improve child care quality through training and support. The bill modifies two statutes (49.137 and 49.257) to allow the Department of Children and Families to use this funding for contracts or grants with agencies serving tribal communities. This is a concrete policy change that establishes dedicated funding for tribal child care providers without altering eligibility or requirements for other child care services.

Maddy summarySB 965 modifies collective bargaining rules specifically for employees of the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority (UWHCA). It allows multiple bargaining units at UWHCA to share a single representative if majority employees in each unit agree, streamlining negotiations under existing public employee bargaining laws. The bill also updates definitions and references to clarify that UWHCA employees are covered under collective bargaining agreements for benefits like health insurance and sick leave accrual. These changes directly affect UWHCA staff by adjusting how their workplace representation and benefit calculations are structured under state law.

Maddy summarySB 978 requires online services likely accessed by minors (like social media or games) to design features that protect young users. It prohibits features causing "compulsive use" (e.g., endless scrolling) and restricts collecting sensitive data like biometrics or genetic information without clear consent. Businesses must set default privacy settings to the most protective level for minors and cannot use algorithmic recommendations to target them in ways that disrupt daily activities. The law also gives state agencies authority to create rules for identifying minors and enforcing these requirements, applying to businesses generating most revenue from online services in the state.

Maddy summarySB 922 requires polling places to display a clear "Voter Bill of Rights" listing specific rights (like secret ballots, language assistance, and provisional voting) at all locations. It mandates election officials to coordinate with language advocacy groups to ensure polling places serve voters speaking non-English languages and have at least one bilingual official present. The bill also creates new legal pathways for voters to sue if their rights are violated, including seeking injunctive relief or attorney fees if they win. These provisions directly affect all voters, particularly language minority communities and those facing potential voting barriers.

Maddy summarySB 985 amends a statute to define "veteran at risk" for the veterans at risk alert system. The bill specifies that a "veteran at risk" includes veterans, active-duty service members, National Guard, or military reservists known to have a physical or mental health condition related to their military service, based on reports. This definition change directly affects how the alert system identifies individuals eligible for support. The bill is purely definitional and does not create new programs or alter system operations.

Maddy summarySB 1032 would create a sales and use tax exemption for over-the-counter drugs. The bill defines qualifying drugs as those with specific labeling, including a drug facts panel or a list of active ingredients. This exemption would remove sales tax from the purchase of these medications, directly affecting consumers buying common drugs like pain relievers or cold medicine and retailers selling them. The policy change applies only to drugs meeting the defined labeling requirements, not to prescription medications or other products.

Maddy summarySJR 125 is a commemorative resolution honoring George Meyer, a former Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) secretary and conservation leader, for his decades of service protecting waterways, advancing tribal treaty rights, and expanding state land conservation. It was adopted by the Wisconsin Legislature to recognize his legacy following his death in 2025, citing his work on wetland regulations, mercury emissions rules, and land acquisitions during his DNR tenure (1993-2001). The resolution does not create new laws or policies but formally expresses legislative gratitude for his contributions to Wisconsin's environmental stewardship.

Maddy summarySB 924 creates a state grant program to help municipalities purchase election supplies and equipment, such as electronic poll books and accessibility tools. It provides tiered funding based on population: up to $2.5 million for cities over 250,000 residents, $1 million for 100,000-250,000, $500,000 for 50,000-100,000, and $250,000 for smaller communities. Municipalities must agree to random inspections of purchased equipment and apply before general elections, with a minimum grant of $250. The bill appropriates $5 million biennially for this program, administered by the Elections Commission.