Sen. Dan Feyen

Maddy summarySJR 116 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would prohibit governors from using their partial veto power to create or increase taxes or fees. If approved by voters, it would amend Article V, Section 10(1)(c) of the state constitution to block governors from altering tax or fee provisions during the veto process. This measure directly affects the governor's executive authority and state budget negotiations, requiring legislative action for any tax or fee changes. The amendment is now pending voter approval in the November 2026 election after passing the legislature with 18 "yes" votes.

Maddy summarySB 929 allows Wisconsin residents who are members of the National Guard or U.S. military Reserves to exclude certain military pay from their state income tax. Specifically, it creates a new tax subtraction for basic pay received under federal law (37 USC 204(a)(2)) and inactive-duty training compensation (37 USC 206/206a), provided this income isn't already excluded under other rules. The policy applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, directly benefiting eligible service members by reducing their state tax liability. This is a concrete tax policy change, not a procedural or commemorative measure.

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 summarySB 146 prohibits individuals convicted of a violent felony from legally changing their name. It amends existing law to clarify that the prohibition applies specifically to violent crimes classified as felonies, not all violent offenses. This directly affects people with violent felony convictions who seek to change their legal name. The bill establishes a clear legal barrier to name changes for this group, with penalties for violations.

Maddy summarySB 184 would prevent Wisconsin state agencies and local governments from restricting the use or sale of motor vehicles or other devices based on their energy source (such as gasoline, electricity, or hydrogen). It specifically prohibits rules that ban or limit vehicles/devices due to their power source, though government fleets may still select energy types for their own purchases. The law would apply to all state and local regulations, including those governing vehicle access, sales, or device usage. This bill aimed to remove barriers for alternative-energy vehicles in public policy contexts.

Maddy summarySB 25 would require courts to defer to a district attorney's determination that there is no basis to prosecute a law enforcement officer involved in a death. Specifically, it prohibits judges from issuing criminal complaints against such officers unless new or unused evidence is presented, after the district attorney has already concluded there is no case to pursue. The bill directly affects officers in officer-involved death cases defined under Wisconsin law (s. 175.47 (1) (c)). This change shifts authority from courts to district attorneys in determining whether charges proceed, streamlining the process for cases where prosecutors have already declined to file.

Maddy summarySB 276 changes how legal fees are handled when courts invalidate agency rules. It requires courts to award reasonable attorney fees and costs to parties successfully challenging administrative rules or guidance documents, provided the challenge is based on constitutional violations, exceeding statutory authority, or improper rule-making procedures. These fees and costs must be paid from specific state appropriations outlined in statutes (20.865 (1) (a), (g), or (q)), not from general funds. The bill directly affects individuals or organizations challenging agency rules and state agencies responsible for paying these costs.

Maddy summarySB 275 establishes time limits for statements of scope used by state agencies when creating administrative rules. It requires permanent rule scope statements to expire after 30 months and emergency rule statements after 6 months, after which agencies cannot base new rules on expired statements. The bill also mandates separate scope statements for concurrent emergency and permanent rule proposals and prohibits agencies from using a single scope statement for multiple rules. These changes apply to all Wisconsin administrative agencies creating new rules under the state's rulemaking process.

Maddy summarySB 289 requires state agencies to provide detailed economic impact analyses for proposed rules that impose costs on businesses, local governments, or individuals. Agencies must quantify expected implementation and compliance costs (and potential savings) for each affected group, attribute all costs directly to the rule (not other laws or federal requirements), and include this in their analysis. If an independent analysis shows costs exceed $10 million over two years, the rule must be paused until costs are addressed or offset. This bill directly affects state agencies creating new rules and the businesses, local governments, and individuals who would bear the financial impact.

Maddy summarySB 36 creates a state income tax exemption for cash tips received by employees, directly benefiting service industry workers (like servers or bartenders) who report cash tips to their employers. The bill allows taxpayers to subtract up to $25,000 in qualified tips from their taxable income each year, provided the tips are reported via federal tax forms (like those used for IRS Form 1099-NEC). This exemption phases out for higher earners: single filers see reductions when their modified adjusted gross income exceeds $150,000, while joint filers face reductions above $300,000. To claim the exemption, filers must include their Social Security number and, for married couples, file a joint return.