Sen. Chris Larson

Maddy summarySB 465 removes outdated restrictions on public construction contracts by repealing specific statutes (16.75(1p), 16.855(1p), 66.0901(1)(ae), (am), (6m), and (6s)). It amends Section 66.0901(6) to allow municipalities to set reasonable conditions for worker pay, hours, and qualifications in public building projects (excluding highways), and to classify contractors based on financial responsibility and ability. This directly affects cities and towns awarding construction contracts for public buildings, giving them more flexibility in contract terms. The bill makes no new policy changes but eliminates existing barriers to municipal oversight of worker conditions and contractor qualifications.

Maddy summarySB 601 creates a Wisconsin income tax deduction for payments on qualified education loans, allowing taxpayers to subtract up to $5,130 annually (adjusted yearly for inflation) for principal or interest paid. It directly affects Wisconsin residents with qualifying education loans who meet federal definition (per IRS Section 221(d)). Key provisions exclude amounts withdrawn from college savings accounts (Sec. 224.50) and prevent double-deduction with federal tax filings. The deduction amount increases annually based on U.S. August CPI changes from the prior year, rounded to the nearest $10. This is a state tax policy change, not a federal one.

Maddy summarySB 641 allows counties, cities, villages, and towns to create local ordinances for fire detection, prevention, and suppression in residential buildings. Specifically, it enables local governments to adopt rules for "public buildings that contain a dwelling" (as defined by state law), directly affecting residential building owners and local fire safety planning. The bill repeals an existing statute and adds a new provision (101.02 (7r) (h)) to permit these local ordinances without overriding state requirements. This change gives communities more flexibility to address fire safety needs in multi-unit residential structures.

Maddy summarySB 464 repeals two state laws (statutes 103.007 and 109.09(3)) that previously prevented local governments from creating their own employment regulations. This bill directly affects cities and counties by removing the state's legal barrier to local workplace rules, such as minimum wage or scheduling requirements. The key mechanism is the removal of these preemption statutes, allowing local governments to establish employment standards without state override. The bill focuses solely on changing the legal framework to enable local regulation, without specifying new policies.

Maddy summarySB 615 appropriates $500,000 annually for the University of Wisconsin Missing-in-Action Recovery and Identification Project during the 2025-27 fiscal biennium. The project, managed by the University of Wisconsin System's Board of Regents, directly supports Wisconsin veterans missing in action by funding recovery and identification efforts. The bill requires the project to submit annual reports to state legislative committees, the governor, and veterans' agencies detailing mission outcomes and how funds were used. This funding provides concrete support for resolving cases of Wisconsin veterans who went missing during military service.

Maddy summarySB 471 modifies unemployment insurance rules to require claimants to conduct at least four weekly job search activities (e.g., applying for jobs, networking) to maintain benefits, with the department setting specific guidelines. It directly affects individuals receiving unemployment benefits who must verify their job search efforts. The bill grants the department rule-making authority to adjust these requirements uniformly for similar claimants and establishes a process for verifying reemployment expectations with employers (considering layoff history, recall rights, and employer statements). It also updates waiver procedures for work search requirements and clarifies that benefits may be recovered if requirements aren’t met. The changes apply to new claims filed on the bill’s effective date.

Maddy summarySB 460 creates a new legal claim for employees who experience an "abusive work environment" defined as repeated verbal abuse, threats, undermining work, or exploiting disabilities (excluding single severe acts). It directly affects employees harmed by such conduct and employers/co-workers who create or fail to stop it. The bill allows affected employees to sue within one year for remedies like back pay or medical expenses, while prohibiting retaliation for reporting abuse or participating in investigations. Employers must reimburse workers' compensation for awarded damages, and the law explicitly prohibits retaliating against employees who oppose abusive practices.

Maddy summarySB 515 adjusts Wisconsin's unemployment insurance benefit amounts and wage limits. It sets a new maximum weekly benefit of $370 for claims starting before January 4, 2026, increasing to $497 for claims starting January 4, 2026, through January 2, 2027. The bill also establishes an annual inflation adjustment mechanism using the Consumer Price Index, starting January 3, 2027, to update both the maximum benefit and the $500 wage limit threshold (raised to $672 for 2026-2027). These changes directly affect unemployed workers receiving state unemployment benefits and those earning income while claiming benefits.

Maddy summarySB 438 requires large retailers to clearly show the total tariff cost (import tax) on each sales invoice or receipt for consumer goods. It applies to businesses that sold $3 million or more in consumer goods during the previous calendar year. The law mandates that these documents must list the tariff cost separately from the product price, making it visible to shoppers. This affects major retailers selling consumer goods, not small businesses or services. The bill aims to increase transparency about how import taxes impact final product pricing.

Maddy summarySJR 98 proposes adding a new constitutional amendment (Section 27) to guarantee equal rights under state law, prohibiting discrimination by state or local governments based on sex, gender identity, race, color, sexual orientation, disability, religion, national origin, marital status, family status, age, ancestry, or other immutable characteristics. It would allow any individual harmed by a violation to sue the state or local government entity responsible in court. The amendment would require all state and local governments to actively protect these guaranteed rights. This is a constitutional amendment proposal, not a law, and it is currently in the early stages of review after introduction in October 2025.