Sen. LaTonya Johnson

Maddy summarySB 878 creates a new grant program to fund planning for regional biodigesters, which convert organic waste into renewable energy. It allocates $250,000 annually from the environmental fund for planning grants, specifically for establishing these facilities. The Department of Agriculture would administer the grants and develop rules for the program. This bill directly affects entities seeking to develop regional biodigester infrastructure, providing funding for initial planning stages. The legislation focuses on creating a structured process for grant distribution without specifying recipient eligibility.

Maddy summarySB 834 creates a new $2 million grant program to support parent and guardian volunteer programs in schools, beginning in the 2026-27 school year. The bill directs the Department of Public Instruction to award grants to public school districts, charter schools, and participating private schools that meet specific program criteria. These grants will fund initiatives designed to encourage or allow parents and guardians to volunteer in elementary and secondary schools. The program requires the department to develop implementing rules and is funded through an appropriation in the 2026-27 state budget.

Maddy summarySB 833 creates a $2 million appropriation for school counseling grants starting in the 2026-27 school year. It directly affects licensed school counselors (those holding a department-issued license under Wis. Admin. Code PI 34.059) by providing funds for their continuing education in mental and behavioral health. The bill requires the Department of Public Instruction to develop a program and promulgate rules to administer these grants. The funding is specifically allocated for counselor training costs, with no additional requirements or eligibility criteria detailed in the bill text.

Maddy summarySB 836 requires the Department of Justice to create and provide free prerecorded audio messages for schools to use during lockdowns. It directly affects all public, private, and tribal schools in the state by mandating that these standardized messages be incorporated into school safety plans if lockdown procedures are included. The bill’s key provision amends existing law to require schools to use this specific audio message for lockdown announcements, replacing potentially inconsistent or unclear verbal instructions. This creates a uniform, accessible communication method during emergencies without altering lockdown protocols themselves. The bill focuses solely on standardizing the announcement mechanism, not on changing safety procedures or funding.

Maddy summarySB 848 allows the City of Milwaukee to install utility lines (water, gas, sewer, or heat) connecting to homes without the property owner's permission under specific conditions. It applies to properties owned by non-residents where the city has made at least three reasonable contact attempts and has permission from a tenant. The bill explicitly prohibits the city from charging property owners for these installations, shifting costs away from residents. This change affects Milwaukee properties with absentee owners and tenants who consent to the work, streamlining utility infrastructure updates.

Maddy summarySB 835 requires school districts in Wisconsin to add specific procedures to their safety plans. It mandates that schools must inform students and families when a safety event occurs, and hold debriefings with students, staff, and families after such events. These changes apply directly to all public school districts and their safety planning processes. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026, updating existing guidelines for emergency response and communication.

Maddy summarySB 881 increases annual funding for crime victim services by $17.1 million for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27, directed to the Department of Justice. This appropriation supports statewide victim services programs, including counseling, legal advocacy, and emergency assistance for crime victims. The bill also allocates $4.0 million to convert 17 existing FED (funded employee) positions to GPR (general purpose revenue) positions within the Department. These changes directly affect crime victim service providers and the Department of Justice’s capacity to deliver support.

Maddy summarySB 867 creates a new grant program to help cities, towns, nonprofits, and tribal governments plant and maintain trees in urban areas to combat "urban heat islands" - places significantly warmer than surrounding natural areas. The bill provides grants covering up to $100,000 per project for tree planting, maintenance, and replacement to reduce heat effects, with $500,000 appropriated for fiscal year 2025-26. It also allows separate grants for replacing storm-damaged trees in declared emergency areas, exempting these recipients from cost-sharing requirements. The program directly benefits communities facing extreme heat, particularly in densely built neighborhoods.

Maddy summarySB 844 creates a $2.5 million biennial grant program to help healthcare facilities recruit and retain providers who conduct forensic exams for sexual assault, domestic abuse, or strangulation cases. It requires facilities to establish new positions or programs for these exams and guarantees reimbursement to providers regardless of whether victims cooperate with law enforcement. The bill modifies reimbursement rules to cover all exam costs (including STI prevention treatments) up to a $3,000 maximum per exam, adjusted annually for inflation. This directly affects healthcare facilities providing these services in counties needing additional exam providers.

Maddy summarySB 824 requires the state Department of Transportation to include specific goals in the long-range statewide transportation plan, affecting statewide transportation planning and implementation. The bill mandates a vision for five key areas: low-carbon public transit, transportation electrification, cost-effective charging infrastructure, equitable clean transportation incentives, and solutions for underserved rural, low-income, and minority communities. It also requires the department to submit a report within six months detailing current efforts, gaps, and future strategies for meeting these requirements. These provisions directly shape how transportation funding and projects are prioritized across the state.