Sen. Dora Drake

Maddy summarySB 761 eliminates and modifies specific provisions from 2023 Act 12 affecting Milwaukee's city government. It repeals requirements that the fire and police commission board must include members from the same political party (removing a 3-member cap for 7-member boards) and removes the need for the mayor to appoint members from employee association lists. The bill also changes the appointment process, allowing the mayor to appoint board members without common council confirmation for existing members, while requiring new members to complete training. Additionally, it modifies a tax provision related to rail transportation projects in Milwaukee, excluding the "Lakefront Line" route.

Maddy summarySB 696 amends Wisconsin's rules for tax incremental districts (TIDs), which local governments use to finance development projects through future property tax revenues. It reduces a 12% tax levy limit to 5% for the town of Cable, adds park development costs to eligible project expenses, and adjusts how property value increases are calculated after TID termination. These changes directly affect cities and towns operating TIDs by altering how they determine tax levy limits and what projects qualify for TID financing. The bill simplifies calculations for property value increments and ensures consistent application of levy limits across districts.

Maddy summarySB 694 establishes a Shared Revenue Advisory Council to study and recommend improvements to how state aid is distributed to counties and municipalities. The council, composed of legislative leaders, municipal/town/county association representatives, and the revenue secretary, will analyze population, property value, and revenue data to evaluate current aid formulas. It requires the council to recommend a new distribution formula for 2027 and beyond that maintains or increases aid for all jurisdictions, while accounting for population changes and property value declines. The bill also sets a baseline funding level of $16,257,500 for supplemental aid in fiscal year 2026-27, with annual adjustments based on tax revenue changes.

Maddy summarySB 789 creates a new grant program providing up to $5 million annually for nonprofit religious organizations to improve security. It directly affects religious groups facing or at risk of bias-motivated attacks, prioritizing those targeted due to their religion. Grants cover physical security upgrades (like fencing or surveillance), staff training, or emergency planning, with a $500,000 limit per organization or $500,000 per member for umbrella groups. The program is funded through a new appropriation in the state budget and administered by the Department of Military Affairs.

Maddy summarySB 770 establishes two new grant programs: a $200,000 annual Farm to Fork grant for businesses, hospitals, and other non-school entities to connect local farms with cafeterias, and a $250,000 annual Farm to School grant for school districts. The Farm to School grants prioritize proposals from high-poverty school districts (where many students qualify for free/reduced meals) and support initiatives like expanding local food procurement, facility upgrades, and nutrition education. Both programs require the Agriculture Department to award grants with preferences for innovative models, value-added agricultural products (like processed local foods), and projects improving farm access to markets. The bill also adds administrative funding for the department to manage these programs.

Maddy summarySB 762 creates a state grant program to fund testing and mapping of privately owned wells to assess groundwater quality and contamination. It provides up to $10,000 per grant to counties, cities, villages, or towns for well testing and geologic studies, and up to $10,000 to health departments for public education on well testing. The bill requires grant recipients to submit anonymized testing results to the Department of Natural Resources and the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, while directing municipalities to inform residents about well testing importance. The program is funded with $2.5 million annually from the environmental fund, with rule-making authority granted to the Department of Natural Resources.

Maddy summarySB 740 would create an online hub for Wisconsin small businesses, managed by the state department, to centralize key information. The clearinghouse must include details on government contract bidding opportunities, economic development programs, business training events, licensing requirements, and tax/fee obligations. It requires coordination with state agencies (like economic development and revenue departments), local governments, and economic organizations to compile and publish this information. The bill directly affects Wisconsin small businesses seeking to navigate state regulations, contracts, and support programs. The online resource aims to simplify access to state-level business support information.

Maddy summarySB 67 creates a state reimbursement program for schools providing universal free meals to all students. It directly affects public schools, charter schools, private schools, tribal schools, and residential care centers participating in federal meal programs. The bill establishes a 15-cent-per-breakfast reimbursement rate from state funds (using existing appropriations) for schools meeting federal meal requirements, while matching federal reimbursement rates for lunches. It repeals the previous school meal reimbursement statute (115.341) and requires schools to serve free meals to all students without cost during school days. Payments begin for meals served in the 2025-26 school year, with reimbursements calculated based on federal rates and prorated by meal counts.

Maddy summarySJR 3 is a non-binding resolution that proclaims January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month in Wisconsin. It does not create new laws, allocate funds, or impose legal obligations. The resolution aims to raise public awareness about human trafficking, defined as exploitation through force, fraud, or coercion, and aligns with statewide efforts to combat this issue. The proclamation is intended for general public education and community engagement, not specific policy changes.

Maddy summarySB 50 establishes a Prescription Drug Affordability Review Board to address prescription drug costs, requiring it to meet quarterly and include balanced representation from pharmaceutical manufacturers, health insurers, healthcare providers, and the public. The bill allocates $500,000 annually for state operations related to this board and funds a pilot project to create value-based diabetes medication arrangements with pharmacy benefit managers. It also modifies Medicaid copayment rules to prevent providers from denying care due to inability to pay copays, while creating a new tool for prescribers to disclose drug costs to patients. Additionally, the bill authorizes partnerships with out-of-state drug repositories and allows pharmacists to count free clinic volunteer hours toward continuing education requirements.