Sen. Brad Pfaff

Maddy summarySB 894 creates a new grant program to fund crime victim protective services, directly benefiting crime victims and the agencies serving them. It allocates $2.57 million biennially (starting 2025-26) from the Justice Department budget to provide grants to law enforcement agencies and prosecutors. These grants will cover services like temporary housing for victims of crime. The bill also authorizes one new full-time position at the Justice Department to administer the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits the amount patients can pay out of pocket for insulin by setting a maximum cost-sharing cap of $35 per one-month supply for disability insurance policies and self-insured health plans. It applies to plans that currently cover insulin and charge copayments, deductibles, or coinsurance, while allowing insurers to charge less than the cap or no cost at all. The legislation also clarifies that existing diabetes coverage requirements for insulin pumps and supplies remain unchanged, though pump coverage may still be limited to one per year. The changes would take effect on the first day of the fourth month after the bill is published.

Maddy summarySB 705 regulates "nonrecourse civil litigation advances," which are cash payments made to individuals (consumers) involved in legal disputes (like lawsuits or settlements) in exchange for a share of future proceeds, without requiring repayment if the case is lost. The bill requires written contracts with specific disclosures (including APR, prepayment rights, and cancellation options), caps finance charges at the weekly prime rate plus 10%, and limits advances to $100,000 per consumer. It prohibits companies from paying referral fees to attorneys or health care providers and ensures consumers can prepay advances with proportional finance charge reductions. Violations incur fines of $25-$5,000 per violation, and willful violations prevent companies from recovering advances or finance charges.

Maddy summarySB 681 would rename the Division of Alcohol Beverages to the Division of Intoxicating Products and create an occupational tax on hemp-derived cannabinoid products. The bill establishes regulatory requirements for these products, including rules for alcohol beverage warehouses and production arrangements. It grants rule-making authority to the newly named division and includes penalty provisions for violations. This legislation directly affects businesses selling hemp-derived cannabinoid products and alcohol beverage warehouses in the state.

Maddy summarySB 758 restricts how social media platforms handle users under 18 in the state, directly affecting platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook that allow minors to create profiles. The bill prohibits platforms from collecting or using minors' data for personalized content recommendations, algorithmic prioritization, or targeted advertising, while requiring age verification through approved methods. Platforms must also stop showing targeted ads to minors and may only use limited data for account maintenance. Violations could result in civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation, enforced by the state department of justice or affected individuals.

Maddy summarySB 749 changes the renewal rules for three specific "in-training" certifications: substance abuse counselor-in-training, clinical supervisor-in-training, and prevention specialist-in-training. It establishes a 2-year renewal period for these certifications and limits renewal to only two times. This directly affects individuals holding these trainee-level credentials who seek to maintain their status without full certification. The bill amends existing statute to clarify these renewal terms, overriding previous provisions for these specific trainee categories.

Maddy summarySB 769 authorizes up to $274.95 million in state bonding to fund lead service line replacement for private water users connected to public water systems. It creates a program allocating $200 million from these bonds as forgivable loans covering up to 50% of replacement costs for homeowners and property owners. The bill directly affects private users of public water systems who own lead service lines, addressing a public health hazard identified by the legislature. Key mechanisms include state bonding authority, allocation through the environmental improvement fund, and forgivable loans administered by the Department of Administration. This policy provides direct financial assistance for replacing hazardous lead pipes in residential water connections.

Maddy summarySB 741 creates a new food waste reduction grant program funded with $100,000 annually for 2025-26 and 2026-27. It directs the Department of Agriculture to provide grants for pilot projects focused on preventing food waste, redirecting surplus food to hunger relief organizations, and composting food waste. The program prioritizes projects in census tracts with below-average median income and no grocery stores. The bill also requires the department to establish administrative rules for the grant program. This directly affects organizations implementing food waste reduction initiatives, particularly in underserved communities.

Maddy summarySB 700 increases fees for snowmobile registration and trail use stickers in Wisconsin. It raises the public-use registration fee from $30 to $45 (with a $5 fee for political subdivisions), and adjusts trail sticker costs: $69.25 for snowmobiles exempt from registration, $19.25 for members of qualifying snowmobile clubs, and $49.25 for others. The bill directly affects snowmobile owners, clubs, and local governments managing trails. Key provisions include updated fee structures for registration certificates and annual trail stickers, with specific discounts for club members and reduced fees for government-owned equipment. These changes apply to all snowmobiles operated on public or private trails under Wisconsin's current regulations.

Maddy summarySB 689 allows cities to extend the lifespan of tax incremental districts (TIDs) used for housing projects by up to three years after initial development costs are paid. Cities must obtain joint review board approval for extensions longer than one year. This change applies to existing TIDs focused on improving housing stock, giving cities more time to complete development projects using tax increment funds. The bill modifies statutes to clarify extension rules while maintaining oversight requirements.