Sen. Rob Hutton

Maddy summarySJR 132 is a symbolic resolution designating February 2026 as "Career and Technical Education Month" in Wisconsin. It recognizes the value of career and technical education (CTE) programs by highlighting their role in preparing students for careers, with supporting data on high graduate employment rates (92%) and median salaries ($55,636 for certificates, $60,003 for associate degrees). The resolution has no binding effect or new funding - it simply encourages public awareness of CTE benefits. It affects all Wisconsinites by promoting statewide recognition of CTE opportunities, but does not alter existing programs or policies. (Note: This is a procedural resolution, not a bill with policy changes.)

Maddy summarySJR 124 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow the Wisconsin legislature to suspend state agency rules using a simple majority vote in a joint resolution. If passed, the legislature could stop any rule (or part of a rule) from taking effect - either indefinitely or for a set period - without needing the governor's approval or following regular lawmaking procedures. This would immediately make suspended rules unenforceable during the suspension period. The bill is a constitutional amendment proposal, not a regular law, and is currently in committee review.

Maddy summarySB 940 limits state agencies' rule-making authority by requiring explicit and specific statutory permission for agencies to interpret or implement laws. It prohibits agencies from using policy statements, federal compliance plans, settlement agreements, or court orders as justification for creating rules. The bill also adds a new requirement that agencies must obtain approval from the governor and the relevant policy-making body before drafting new rules. This directly affects state agencies responsible for creating regulations, such as environmental or health departments, by tightening oversight of their regulatory actions.

Maddy summarySB 1059 makes it a Class A misdemeanor to intentionally deposit four or more tires on someone else's private property. This law directly affects property owners who have tires dumped on their land and individuals who dump tires. The bill requires violators to pay the property owner's actual cost for proper tire disposal through a restitution order. It creates two new statutes: one defining the misdemeanor offense (s. 943.018) and another mandating restitution (s. 973.20 (4r)). The bill is currently pending in the Judiciary and Public Safety committee.

Maddy summarySJR 127 is a ceremonial resolution celebrating the 115th anniversary of Scouting America's founding. It expresses the Wisconsin Legislature's support for Scouting America's values - such as duty to God and country, leadership development, and community service - and encourages all citizens and organizations to recognize its contributions. The resolution directs the Senate clerk to send a copy to Scouting America in Wisconsin. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws, allocate funding, or alter existing policies.

Maddy summarySB 994 prohibits the public affairs network from charging fees for accessing live or archived state government proceedings when the network receives state funding for its operations. This applies directly to the state's public affairs network (which broadcasts government meetings) and the public seeking access to those recordings. The bill modifies existing rules to ensure fee-free access regardless of whether state funds are used, removing a prior condition that required explicit state funding for the fee ban. The key provision guarantees public access to government proceedings without cost under state-funded operations.

Maddy summarySB 1034 prohibits former members of the Public Service Commission from working for compensation with investor-owned public utilities or transmission companies for 36 months after leaving office. Specifically, it bans employment in roles involving policy-making, executive decisions, operations management, or government relations at these companies. The law applies retroactively to those who left the Commission in the year before the bill's effective date. This directly affects former commissioners seeking jobs at regulated utility companies, creating a cooling-off period to prevent potential conflicts of interest. The bill establishes this restriction through new statutory language (19.45 (8m)) in the state code.

Maddy summarySB 1031 creates a state-funded undergraduate grant program for students attending private nonprofit colleges in the state. It directly affects in-state students enrolled full-time at qualifying institutions who meet specific criteria: completing the FAFSA, not qualifying for federal Pell Grants, and having an adjusted gross income under $60,000. The program allocates $2.5 million annually to cover up to 10 semesters of full-time enrollment per student, with grants awarded by the Higher Educational Aids Board. This policy establishes a new financial aid mechanism targeting low-to-moderate income students at private nonprofit colleges, distinct from federal aid programs.

Maddy summarySB 850 updates Wisconsin's rules for "no-sale event venue permits," which allow event spaces to host gatherings where attendees consume alcohol without it being sold (e.g., private parties). The bill permits event renters to bring their own alcohol for guests to consume without charge, and allows caterers with specific licenses to provide alcohol if the renter first purchases it face-to-face at the caterer’s retail location. It also sets clear limits: no more than 36 events per year, with no more than one event per month and each event lasting up to 36 hours. This directly affects property owners applying for these permits, event renters, and caterers holding Class B licenses.

Maddy summarySB 703 requires health insurers, administrators, and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to provide large employer plan sponsors (those covering 50+ employees) with full access to their health claims data. Plan sponsors own this data and can request specific details - like itemized billing for high-cost claims ($25,000+ medical, $10,000+ pharmacy), payment histories, pharmacy rebates, and administrative fees - within 7 business days of a written request. Insurers and PBMs must deliver this data electronically in usable formats, and cannot sell the data without the plan sponsor’s and individual’s permission. The bill directly affects large employers managing health benefits and the companies providing those benefits, ensuring transparency in how claims data is handled and shared.