Sen. Chris Larson

Maddy summarySB 506 modifies state civil service rules to clarify and streamline veteran hiring preferences. It removes age restrictions for veterans applying for civil service positions and updates how preference points are applied to veterans and their spouses during hiring processes. Key changes include revising sections to ensure veterans and spouses receive preference points without adding them to certification lists prematurely, while maintaining that their grades plus points must equal or exceed the lowest grade on the list. The bill directly affects veterans seeking state civil service jobs and state hiring boards managing eligibility lists. These revisions aim to simplify compliance with existing veteran preference laws under statutes like 230.16 (7).

Maddy summarySB 458 would eliminate the state's right-to-work law, removing a provision that allowed employees to work without joining a union. The bill requires employers to obtain majority worker approval before implementing union security agreements (where union membership is mandatory for all employees in a workplace). It also mandates that employees personally authorize dues deductions, rather than automatic withholding. These changes directly affect private-sector employees, employers, and labor organizations across the state.

Maddy summarySB 483 requires property tax bills sent to homeowners to include specific information about reductions in state aid to their local school district. It mandates details on the dollar amount and percentage change of any aid reduction from the previous year and current year, and if the reduction stems from state choice programs (like Milwaukee or Racine Choice) or scholarship payments, it requires a clear statement about that cause. The bill also notes that school districts could choose to offset such aid cuts by raising local property taxes. This applies only in years when a state aid reduction actually occurs. The summary focuses solely on the mandated disclosure in property tax bills, not on policy impacts or advocacy.

Maddy summaryWisconsin would designate the last full week of September as Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) Awareness Week through this symbolic resolution. It aims to raise public awareness about FTD - a misdiagnosed condition affecting behavior, language, and emotional expression in people aged 45-64 - with no new policies or funding attached. The resolution references FTD’s $120,000 annual economic burden per family and its lack of cure, aligning with global awareness efforts. As a procedural resolution, it has no direct policy impact but seeks to highlight the condition’s challenges.

Maddy summarySB 540 bans employers from asking job applicants about their past pay or using that information in hiring decisions. It also protects employees’ right to discuss, share, or ask about their own or coworkers’ pay without employer interference. Violations can be reported to the labor department or pursued in court, with remedies including back pay, reinstatement, and capped damages up to $300,000 based on employer size. The law directly affects all employers and employees in the state, aiming to reduce pay discrimination by promoting transparency.

Maddy summarySB 150 requires the state legislature to create and pass a plan by the 2025-26 session to reduce the state's carbon emissions by 52% by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The bill directly affects the state government, which must develop this plan, and will impact all residents and businesses through new emission regulations. Key provisions include setting specific emission reduction targets and mandating that the plan prioritize improvements in economic and racial equity. The bill focuses on establishing concrete, time-bound goals rather than detailing specific regulatory mechanisms.

Maddy summarySB 348 requires school districts to provide training for staff on addressing student mental health, directly affecting public schools and their employees. The bill adds $500,000 for fiscal year 2025-26 and another $500,000 for 2026-27 to the state’s existing budget for the Department of Public Instruction to fund these training programs. This funding is specifically designated to support mental health training initiatives in schools, with no changes to existing curriculum requirements. The bill takes effect after the 2025 biennial budget is published.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SJR 91) that declares October 2025 and October 2026 as "Breast Cancer Awareness Months" in Wisconsin. It does not create new laws or allocate funds - it is a symbolic gesture to promote public awareness, early detection, and treatment of breast cancer. The resolution cites Wisconsin-specific statistics on breast cancer incidence and mortality to highlight the issue. It directly affects Wisconsin residents by encouraging community-focused awareness efforts during those months.

Maddy summarySB 527 clarifies rules for skateboard and in-line skate use on roadways. It defines skateboards as non-motorized devices and prohibits attaching them to vehicles or riding on certain roadways under state jurisdiction. Local governments may create ordinances restricting skateboard use on their roads (except at crosswalks), while riders must follow safety rules like riding carefully. The bill also updates vehicle definitions to exclude skateboards and in-line skates from certain categories. These changes aim to standardize safety expectations and local authority over sidewalk and roadway access.

Maddy summarySB 516 requires the state group insurance board to study the potential costs and savings for Wisconsin school districts and current health insurance plan participants if school districts were either required to join or could voluntarily join a state-offered group health insurance plan. The bill allocates $300,000 for these actuarial studies, which must be completed within six months and reported to the governor and legislature. It does not change current participation rules but examines two scenarios: mandatory statewide enrollment versus voluntary participation. The study will specifically analyze financial impacts on school districts and existing plan members. This bill is procedural, focusing solely on gathering data before any policy decisions.