Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state program to eliminate medical debt for eligible residents by purchasing and forgiving outstanding healthcare bills. It allocates $10 million annually for 2025-26 and 2026-27 to fund the program, which targets individuals earning up to 400 percent of the federal poverty line or those with medical debt equal to at least 5 percent of their household income. The state Department of Health Services or a contracted nonprofit would identify eligible residents, negotiate with healthcare providers and debt collectors to buy their debts, and then cancel the obligations while minimizing tax consequences for recipients. The bill requires annual reporting on the amount of debt abolished, the number of residents helped, and demographic data about participants and healthcare providers involved.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new fund and loan program to help first-time home buyers in Wisconsin cover costs like down payments, closing costs, and mortgage insurance. The program is managed by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority and provides interest-free loans up to $35,000 or 10 percent of the home's purchase price, whichever is less. Eligible borrowers must be first-time home buyers or those who lost their home to foreclosure, have household income at or below 100 percent of the area median income, complete a home buyer education course, and agree to live in the home as their primary residence. The loans are forgiven in installments over ten years if the borrower keeps the home as their primary residence, with larger forgiveness amounts at five and ten-year intervals. The bill also appropriates $150 million for the fund in the 2025-26 fiscal year and allows the authority to invest unused funds in safe, low-risk investments.
Maddy summarySB 729 imposes annual fees on large energy customers (primarily large data centers) based on their peak electricity demand: $2 million for 100-250 MW, $3 million for 250-500 MW, and $1 million more for each additional 250 MW. Fifty percent of these fees fund the Green Innovation Fund via the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. The bill also requires data centers to report actual water usage annually and certify compliance with sustainable building standards (like LEED or BREEAM) within three years of operation. It defines "large-scale data centers" as projects costing $250 million+ in construction or equipment over 60 months.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes increasing state funding for passenger rail operations by $10 million and allocating an additional $5.2 million for feasibility studies on rail expansion projects. The funds would be directed to the state department of transportation to support existing passenger rail services and evaluate potential new routes. The legislation directly affects state transportation budgets and passengers who use rail services. It does not create new rail lines but provides resources for operational support and planning future infrastructure development.
Maddy summaryThis bill would remove a state law that currently prevents local governments from creating or enforcing eviction moratoriums, which are rules that temporarily stop landlords from evicting tenants. By repealing the existing prohibition, the legislation would allow cities and counties to establish their own eviction pause policies if they choose to do so. The change directly affects local governments, landlords, and tenants by potentially opening the door for neighborhood-level eviction protections. The bill is currently in the early stages of review and has not yet been passed into law.
Maddy summarySB 1045 legalizes recreational cannabis possession for adults, establishes a new Division of Cannabis Regulation within the Department of Agriculture, and creates a Cannabis Conviction Review Unit to expunge or adjust past marijuana-related convictions. It allocates $30 million annually for cannabis regulation operations, funds a medical cannabis registry program with $5 million per year, and creates new tax revenue streams for enforcement and research. The bill repeals outdated marijuana laws, regulates cannabis production and sales through licensing, and sets up a system for individuals to seek conviction expungement. These changes directly affect all Wisconsin residents, particularly those with prior cannabis convictions, and establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for the state's cannabis industry.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Joint Resolution formally recognizes the life and leadership of Bob Harlan, the former president and CEO of the Green Bay Packers. The bill highlights his contributions to the franchise, including hiring key personnel, leading the team to a Super Bowl victory, and overseeing a major stadium redevelopment. It serves as a commemorative tribute rather than enacting new policy or funding. The resolution was adopted by the Wisconsin Senate but did not receive concurrence from the Assembly.
Maddy summaryThis bill is a joint resolution that formally honors the life and public service of Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, a civil rights activist and politician who passed away in February 2026. The resolution recognizes his contributions to the American civil rights movement, his founding of Operation PUSH, his political campaigns, and his advocacy for racial equity and social justice. It also acknowledges his connections to Wisconsin, including his visits to lead prayers in the state assembly. The bill expresses the legislature's condolences to Jackson's family and community while commemorating his legacy of pursuing freedom and justice.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Wisconsin's criminal sentencing laws to allow for adjustments when legal changes occur after a person is sentenced. It directly affects inmates currently serving prison time or on extended supervision by enabling courts to reduce their sentences if new laws would have resulted in shorter terms. The key mechanism allows courts to convert prison time to extended supervision or vice versa, with limits to ensure the adjusted sentence does not exceed what the offender could have received under the new laws at the time of sentencing. The bill also includes safeguards to prevent extended supervision from exceeding the maximum term allowed for the offense when the petition is filed.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state minimum wage of $15 per hour while allowing local governments to enact their own minimum wage ordinances. It creates a system where the state department of labor can set lower wages for specific groups like agricultural workers, camp counselors, and students, and can exempt certain casual employment arrangements. The minimum wage will automatically adjust annually based on changes in the consumer price index, unless inflation shows no increase. The legislation also prohibits the state from setting different minimum wages for men and women.