Sen. Rob Hutton

Maddy summarySB 383 requires hospitals to publish clear pricing information for "shoppable services" (like surgeries and imaging) in a machine-readable format, including standard charges, negotiated rates with insurers, and discounted cash prices. This applies to all hospitals not specifically exempted (e.g., psychiatric or correctional facilities) and aims to help patients compare costs before receiving care. The bill also includes restrictions on certain aggressive debt collection practices against patients and establishes penalties for noncompliance with transparency requirements.

Maddy summarySB 177 updates tax credit eligibility for businesses that clean and provide specific items to commercial or government clients. It creates new industry codes (7213 for linen supply, 7218 for industrial laundries) and clarifies that uniforms, linens, protective workwear, and cleaning supplies qualify for the manufacturing/agriculture tax credit when sold or leased to businesses. The changes apply to tax years beginning January 1, 2025. This bill directly affects laundry businesses serving hospitals, restaurants, and other large organizations that provide these specific items.

Maddy summarySJR 88 is a symbolic resolution honoring Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, following his assassination. It expresses the Wisconsin Legislature's gratitude for his dedication to "faith, liberty, and truth," his work inspiring young Americans, and his commitment to family. The resolution commends his legacy as a "beacon of conviction and courage" and joins in prayer for his family and the nation. As a commemorative measure, it has no binding policy changes or direct impact on constituents.

Maddy summarySB 454 creates a new income tax subtraction for Wisconsin taxpayers who earn qualified overtime compensation, directly affecting workers receiving overtime pay that meets federal tax definitions. It allows individuals to subtract up to $12,500 (or $25,000 for joint filers) of qualifying overtime income from their taxable income each year. The benefit phases out for higher earners: for single filers, the subtraction decreases by $100 for every $1,000 their modified federal adjusted gross income exceeds $150,000, and for joint filers, the threshold is $300,000. The bill specifies that "qualified overtime" excludes tips and aligns with federal definitions under the Internal Revenue Code.

Maddy summarySB 151 requires employers to respond in writing to unemployment insurance agencies' requests about benefit claims within 12 business days. It directly affects employers who receive unemployment claims filed against them, giving them a clear deadline to provide information on eligibility disputes. The bill also clarifies that agencies may directly seek information from employees about their eligibility, employment, or wages. This change streamlines the process for verifying claims by setting a specific timeframe for employer responses, starting for claims filed after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summarySB 115, as amended, requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to collect and report specific criminal case data. The bill mandates the DOJ to create an interactive dashboard, starting by January 1, 2026, to display a summary of this data. This dashboard will specifically include arrest charges from the arresting agency and will not contain any personally identifying information for criminal defendants. The goal is to provide accessible, summarized data on criminal cases.

Maddy summarySB 365 amends vehicle registration rules to require certain commercial vehicles with dual weight class decals to display them on both the front and rear license plates, as directed by the department. This affects commercial fleet operators whose vehicles require two separate weight class decals. The bill specifies that these decals must be placed on both front and rear plates, rather than just the rear, to improve visibility for law enforcement and other drivers. The change applies to vehicles registered under specific weight classification rules already in place. The bill passed committee unanimously and is now pending final passage.

Maddy summarySB 582 simplifies residency verification for students continuing in Wisconsin's private school choice program. It eliminates the requirement for parents to submit new residency documents when a student re-enrolls in the same participating private school the following school year, unless their address has changed since the last verification. This applies directly to families using the parental choice program and affects all participating private schools in the state. The rule change takes effect for applications submitted for the 2026-27 school year.

Maddy summarySJR 96 is a proposed resolution that would officially recognize October 2025 as "Careers in Construction Month" in Wisconsin. It highlights the construction industry's significance to the state's economy - employing roughly 6% of Wisconsin's workforce - and emphasizes career pathways that allow workers to advance without student debt. The resolution encourages employers, schools, and community groups to host events like job fairs during October 2025 to promote construction careers to students. This is a ceremonial recognition, not a law creating new requirements or funding.

Maddy summarySB 600 would enable Wisconsin to participate in a federal tax credit program that allows individuals to deduct contributions to scholarship granting organizations (SGOs) from their state taxes. The bill requires the state education department to annually submit a list of qualifying SGOs meeting federal standards and certify Wisconsin's eligibility to the U.S. Treasury. It gives the governor until July 1, 2026, to decide whether to join the program, which would take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2026. The bill does not create new tax benefits but establishes the state's administrative process to align with the federal program.