Maddy summarySB 1001 establishes a state-run family and medical leave insurance program requiring employers with 50+ employees to provide up to 14 weeks of paid leave annually for qualifying reasons like caring for a newborn, a seriously ill family member, or a family member on active military duty. The bill creates a dedicated trust fund financed through employee and employer contributions to cover leave benefits and amends statutes to define key terms like "family member" and "serious health condition." It also allows local governments to adopt stricter leave requirements and exempts the program from standard rule-making procedures. This policy directly affects employees seeking leave for family or medical needs and employers meeting the 50-employee threshold.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 719 allocates $1.887 million for fiscal year 2025-26 and $3.132 million for 2026-27 to purchase and maintain a new cloud-based grant administration system for veterans benefits programs. This system will manage how grants are distributed and tracked for veterans' services. The bill directly affects the Department of Veterans Affairs by funding this technology upgrade to improve the administration of benefits. It does not change eligibility or benefit amounts but aims to streamline the grant process for veterans.
Maddy summarySB 773 increases funding by $5 million for the University of Wisconsin System's freshwater collaborative for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27. This appropriation directly supports the collaborative's work, which focuses on freshwater research and solutions within the UW System. The bill modifies existing budget allocations to provide this specific, dedicated funding for two consecutive fiscal years. It does not change program requirements or create new policies, only adjusting the financial allocation.
Maddy summarySB 717 designates the week of November containing November 11 (Veterans Day) as "Veterans Benefits Education Week" in state law. The bill requires the governor to issue an annual proclamation during this week highlighting veterans' entitled benefits. It directly affects veterans by providing a dedicated period to learn about available benefits through state-led awareness efforts. The measure creates no new benefits or programs, only establishing a recurring observance to improve information access for veterans.
Maddy summarySB 294 prohibits retailers and plant providers from labeling plants as "beneficial to pollinators" if the plants were treated with systemic insecticides that carry specific pollinator warnings on their product labels (such as a "pollinator protection box" or bee/honeybee precautionary statements). The bill directly affects nurseries, garden centers, and other businesses selling plants at retail. It creates a clear requirement: if an insecticide label warns about pollinator harm, the plant cannot be marketed as pollinator-friendly. This policy change aims to prevent misleading marketing by aligning product claims with actual pollinator safety.
Maddy summarySB 297 creates a special "Protect Pollinators" vehicle registration plate requiring a voluntary $25 annual or $50 biennial fee for vehicle owners who choose it. Excess funds from these fees, after covering plate production costs, are deposited into the conservation fund to support pollinator protection programs. The plate must display "Protect Pollinators" and cover the entire plate, with the design approved by the Department of Natural Resources. This affects only drivers who opt for this specific plate, with no mandatory participation.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Joint Resolution (SJR 6) is a ceremonial honor recognizing the life and legacy of Bob Uecker, the longtime Milwaukee Brewers radio broadcaster and entertainer. It formally acknowledges his 54-year broadcasting career with the Brewers, his acting roles (including *Mr. Belvedere* and *Major League*), philanthropy, and contributions to baseball and Wisconsin culture. The resolution has no policy impact - it simply expresses the Wisconsin Legislature’s tribute to Uecker’s "extraordinary contributions" through a symbolic resolution passed on March 20, 2025.
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the creation of emergency services districts and grants them the authority to levy property taxes, impose special charges, and issue debt to fund local emergency response services. It directly affects local governments and residents within areas where these districts are established by modifying existing statutes related to district formation and financial powers. The legislation includes provisions for how emergency services district board members are elected, specifying ballot arrangements and candidate limits during primary elections. Additionally, it clarifies which entities are responsible for paying election-related costs, such as ballots and voting materials, when emergency services districts hold elections.
Maddy summarySB 569 requires private schools participating in the Special Needs Scholarship Program to implement each student's most recent individualized education program (IEP) or services plan, adjusted through agreement between the school and the student's parent. It also mandates that these schools share all IEP-related records with the student's public school district within 5 days of a formal request. The law directly affects private schools in the scholarship program, parents of students with disabilities, and public school districts seeking IEP documentation. These requirements will take effect for the 2026-27 school year. The bill focuses on ensuring consistent educational planning and record-sharing between private and public schools for scholarship program participants.
Maddy summarySB 366 amends rules for technical education equipment grants to clarify how funds can be used and require matching contributions. It allows grant recipients (primarily school districts) to use funds for facility improvements, tools, equipment, or instructional software in construction and advanced manufacturing programs. The bill requires recipients to provide matching funds equal to the grant amount, which can be cash or in-kind contributions like equipment or software. This change directly affects school districts seeking these grants by adding a funding match requirement.