Sen. Brad Pfaff

Maddy summarySB 173 creates a grant program administered by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to support rural creative economies. It provides competitive grants (max $50,000) to eligible applicants like small towns, counties, tribes, or nonprofits in rural areas (defined as towns under 10,000 people, non-urban areas, or counties under 55,000 people). Grants must fund tourism, public arts, space renovations, arts education, or business support for creative enterprises, requiring applicants to secure matching funds equal to the grant amount. The program requires an effectiveness report to the legislature by May 2027.

Maddy summarySB 231 creates a tax credit program for film production companies in Wisconsin, providing credits for eligible expenses like wages and capital investments incurred within the state. It establishes a State Film Office within the Department of Tourism to administer the program, set accreditation standards for productions (requiring minimum spending thresholds of $50,000 for short productions or $100,000 for longer ones), and issue tax credits. The bill caps annual program spending at $10 million total and $1 million per company, mandates that accredited productions include a state acknowledgment in the final product, and requires annual reports on program usage and efficiency. This directly affects film production companies operating in Wisconsin that meet the accreditation criteria and seek to reduce costs through state tax incentives.

Maddy summarySB 195 prohibits public eating places (like restaurants) from serving any product labeled as "maple syrup" unless it consists entirely of maple syrup, as defined by federal regulations (21 CFR 168.140). The bill specifically targets mislabeling, allowing establishments to serve non-maple products only if they are not marketed as maple syrup. It directly affects restaurants and food service businesses that sell syrup-based items. The law creates a clear labeling standard without restricting other menu items. This is a straightforward regulatory measure focused on product transparency.

Maddy summarySB 293 requires all state agencies to prioritize using native prairie and forage plants in their projects to support native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. It creates a new statute (20.935) defining "state agency" broadly and mandating that agencies use these native plants where appropriate. The Department of Natural Resources must provide requested information to help agencies implement this requirement. The bill directly affects every state agency that manages land or projects, with no financial or regulatory changes beyond the preference for native plants.

Maddy summarySJR 61 designates June 2025 as Pollinator Awareness Month in Wisconsin. This symbolic resolution does not create new laws or funding but aims to raise public awareness about the importance of pollinators like bees and butterflies to agriculture and ecosystems. It highlights Wisconsin's existing efforts, such as "No Mow May" initiatives, which have demonstrated positive impacts on bee populations. The resolution encourages community engagement in pollinator-friendly practices, such as planting native species and reducing pesticide use, without imposing new requirements on residents or organizations.

Maddy summarySB 298 prohibits Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources from using neonicotinoid insecticides on state lands acquired and maintained under section 23.09(2)(d). This directly affects the department's land management practices on public parks, preserves, and conservation areas. The ban includes three key exceptions: existing farming agreements entered before the law's effective date, forest insect control on state forests/nurseries, and designated infestation zones under existing forest management rules. The bill creates a clear policy change by restricting a specific pesticide class on most state lands while preserving necessary forestry applications.

Maddy summarySB 2 expands veterans' burial benefits to cover individuals who served in Laos supporting U.S. efforts during the Vietnam War. It directly affects eligible veterans (including those covered by the federal Hmong Veterans Naturalization Act of 2000) who previously did not qualify for national cemetery burial under existing rules. The bill adds a new provision (45.61 (2) (e)) to state law, linking eligibility for burial benefits to the federal naturalization act for these veterans. This change creates a concrete policy update to include a specific group of veterans in existing burial benefit programs. The bill is currently referred to the Senate Rules Committee for further consideration.

Maddy summarySB 236 is a technical amendment to update the bill's language from "broadband service" to "wireless service" in multiple sections. It does not create new penalties or change existing legal requirements for tampering with telecommunication or electric wires. The bill directly affects how the law references service types in its text, aligning terminology with modern technology. This is a procedural correction with no substantive policy impact, as the bill only adjusts wording in existing legal references. The measure was reported out of committee unanimously but was later laid on the table without further action.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Joint Resolution (SJR 65) is a ceremonial resolution congratulating Southwest Wisconsin Technical College for winning the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. It recognizes the college's national award, which honors its success in student outcomes - particularly for historically underserved groups - and its programs like work-based learning and employer partnerships. The resolution formally commends the college's faculty, staff, students, and community partners for their contributions to Wisconsin's higher education. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new policy or affect any legal obligations.

Maddy summarySB 314 modifies the enrollment cap for Wisconsin's state-funded private school choice program. It replaces the previous calculation method with a new rule setting the pupil participation limit at 10% of a school district's enrollment from the prior school year. This change directly affects all public school districts participating in the program, limiting the number of students they can send to private schools under the state's choice initiative. The bill updates the statute to apply this 10% cap through the 2025-26 school year, as specified in the amended sections.