Sen. Chris Larson

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state-based health insurance exchange that will operate on the federal platform by 2029 and transition to a standalone state-run exchange by 2030. It authorizes the state insurance commissioner to collect user fees from insurers offering plans through the exchange, starting at 0.5 percent of monthly premiums for the federal platform phase and adjusting rates for the standalone phase. The legislation also creates a specific appropriation account for exchange operations, with any unspent funds exceeding 10 percent of annual expenditures returning to the state's general fund at the end of each fiscal year.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the building commission to allocate $1,000,000 from building trust funds to create preliminary plans for expanding mother-young child care facilities within the state women's correctional system. The funding is intended to evaluate infrastructure needs and develop specifications for a prison nursery program that would allow eligible inmates and their children to reside together in correctional institutions. The proposed expansion aims to support infant development and provide comprehensive postpartum care for incarcerated mothers. The legislation also requires the development of plans to enable bonding, breastfeeding, and nurturing between mothers and their children while in custody.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to join an interstate compact that would allow states to elect the U.S. president and vice president based on the national popular vote rather than the Electoral College. It would take effect only when enough states have joined the agreement to collectively hold a majority of Electoral College votes. The bill amends state election laws to implement the compact's provisions, which require member states to count all popular votes nationwide and award all Electoral College votes to the candidate who wins the most popular votes across all participating states. The agreement includes provisions for state withdrawal, dispute resolution in case of ties, and termination if the Electoral College is abolished.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a grant program to help Wisconsin municipalities and community organizations earn Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certifications for their buildings. The program would provide funding to support these entities in obtaining green building certifications from the Green Building Certification Institute. The legislation includes an appropriation of $1 million for the 2025-26 fiscal year to administer the grant program. This bill would create new statutory sections to define the program and authorize the funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a basic health plan option for individuals with household incomes up to 200% of the poverty line and establishes a purchase option program allowing eligible individuals with higher incomes to buy coverage through the state program instead of private insurance. The program would offer benefits equal to existing state coverage, use premium rates similar to managed care plans, and allow enrollment during standard open enrollment periods while seeking federal waivers to ensure financial stability. Additionally, the bill directs the state to develop a state-based insurance exchange that would allow access to these purchase options and grants officials authority to create necessary rules for implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires electric utilities in the state to send notices to their customers whenever they file for rate changes or when the Public Service Commission issues a final decision on those changes. The notices must explain that rates are being requested, estimate how much bills will change for average residential and commercial customers, and inform customers where to find the full application documents and request detailed explanations. Utilities must deliver these notices both on their websites and through the same method they use to send customer bills, such as mail or email. The law applies to rate cases filed after the bill takes effect, ensuring customers receive clear information about proposed or approved rate adjustments.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the legal definition of a political action committee for campaign finance purposes in the state statutes. It specifies that a group qualifies as a PAC if it spends more than $1,000 in a 12-month period on express advocacy, referendum support or opposition, or contributions to candidates, legislative committees, or political parties. The definition explicitly excludes fundraising and administrative expenses from the spending calculation. This change affects how organizations are classified and regulated under campaign finance laws without altering existing spending limits or reporting requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special enrollment period for pregnant individuals in Wisconsin health insurance plans, allowing them to sign up for coverage at any time during their pregnancy rather than waiting for an open enrollment window. It directly affects health benefit plans, self-insured plans, and nonprofit cooperative health plans that operate under state insurance regulations. The key provision requires plans to cover pregnant individuals and their dependents starting from the first day of the month in which medical verification of pregnancy is received, with plans also required to notify enrollees about this option when first offered coverage. The bill applies to policies and plans beginning on January 1 of the year following its effective date, with special provisions for collective bargaining agreements.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow local governments in Wisconsin to create rules governing how landlords and tenants handle lease renewals and property showings. It enables cities, villages, towns, and counties to require landlords to make good faith offers to renew leases unless there is a valid reason not to, and to set standards for determining what counts as valid reasons. The legislation also permits local ordinances to regulate when landlords can show properties to new tenants and to establish penalties for violations, including requiring relocation assistance for affected tenants. Additionally, the bill ensures that these local rules cannot be overridden by individual lease agreements.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a sales and use tax exemption for breast pumps, breast pump kits, and specific collection and storage supplies used during breastfeeding. It defines breast pumps to include the device and its power components, and specifies which supplies qualify for the exemption while excluding items like nursing bras, cleaning supplies, and non-specific bottles. The exemption applies to purchases made within the state and removes the requirement for sellers to obtain exemption certificates for these items. The tax exemption is set to expire on June 30, 2027, and the law takes effect on the first day of the third month after publication.