Sen. Duey Stroebel

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Wisconsin state agencies and local governments from restricting utility connections based on the type or source of energy, such as natural gas versus renewable sources. It also forbids these entities from discriminating against public utilities or retailers that provide specific energy services to consumers. While the law limits regulatory barriers, it explicitly preserves the government's ability to manage its own utilities, reduce emissions through its own operations, and purchase renewable energy.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Wisconsin statutes to require the state Department of Natural Resources to establish a specific goal for the statewide wolf population. The law applies to wolves that are not currently listed as endangered at the federal or state level. Under this provision, the department must create a management plan that sets a target number for the wolf population and may limit the number of hunters and trappers allowed to take wolves to meet that goal. The bill was passed by the Senate but ultimately failed to become law after the Governor's veto was not overridden by the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill primarily updates Wisconsin statutes to expand the scope of medical professionals who can perform specific administrative and clinical tasks. It allows licensed chiropractors, podiatrists, and physician assistants to review applications for permits related to physical and visual disabilities, tasks previously reserved for physicians. Additionally, the legislation grants advanced practice registered nurses the authority to issue prescriptions under existing laws and clarifies the definition of a health care provider to include these expanded roles. The bill also modifies procedures for emergency rule-making, extending time limits and creating exemptions for certain rule changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Wisconsin Elections Commission to verify the U.S. citizenship status of individuals on the voter registration list by accessing data from the Department of Transportation. Under the new rules, the commission must check this information immediately whenever someone registers to vote or updates their registration details. Additionally, the bill mandates that driver's licenses and identification cards issued to non-citizens must display a clear statement such as "Not valid for voting purposes" to indicate they cannot be used for voter identification. These changes directly affect the state's election administration processes and the design of identification documents issued to residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends state statutes to formally establish an "Office of Literacy" within the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. The primary change adds a specific legal provision creating this new office to oversee early literacy programs for the state. By adding this title to the statutes, the legislation sets up a structural framework for the department to manage literacy initiatives. The bill does not allocate funding or define specific program details, focusing solely on the administrative creation of the office.

Maddy summaryThis Wisconsin bill prohibits payment card networks and issuers from requiring firearms retailers to use a specific merchant category code that distinguishes them from general merchandise or sporting goods stores. It also bans state and local governments from intentionally creating or maintaining lists of individuals who own firearms, with limited exceptions for criminal investigations or court orders. The legislation establishes penalties for violations, including the authority for the attorney general to investigate and order non-compliant entities to stop using prohibited codes within 30 days. Although the bill passed the legislature, it was vetoed by the Governor and did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis Wisconsin bill aimed to update and consolidate state laws governing the employment of minors, specifically targeting those under 16 years of age. The legislation sought to repeal numerous outdated statutes and replace them with streamlined rules that require employers to maintain detailed daily records of each minor's work hours, name, and address. Additionally, the bill proposed stricter penalties for illegally employing minors, including increased fines for work-related injuries and establishing that a minor's presence in a workplace without a permit serves as prima facie evidence of unlawful employment. Although the bill passed the legislature, it was ultimately vetoed by the Governor and did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposed changes to Wisconsin's aquatic plant management laws, specifically creating a permit exemption for treating invasive plants in private ponds smaller than five acres. Under the plan, a certified commercial applicator could use EPA-approved chemicals on these small ponds without a permit if they followed label instructions and notified all neighboring property owners. Additionally, the bill would have allowed permits for larger ponds over five acres to remain valid for at least five years and established a fee structure for managing aquatic plants on privately owned water bodies. Although the legislation included provisions for using certain biological agents to improve water quality, the Governor vetoed the bill, and it did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill would have allowed Wisconsin school boards to hire school district administrators without requiring them to hold a license from the Department of Public Instruction. The legislation proposed creating a new statute that explicitly permits these hires despite existing rules mandating licensure for such roles. By removing the mandatory licensing requirement, the bill aimed to give school boards more flexibility in selecting administrative staff. Although the bill passed the legislature, it was vetoed by the Governor and did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill would have raised the minimum spending threshold for mandatory competitive bidding on public construction projects in Wisconsin from $25,000 to $50,000, allowing local governments to award smaller contracts without a formal bidding process. It also required school districts to use competitive bidding for all projects exceeding $25,000 and established specific rules for highway projects, including an exception that would let county boards complete certain portions of a road project directly if the county was already working on it. Additionally, the legislation proposed making emergency contracting rules optional for towns and clarifying definitions for public highway contracts. Ultimately, the bill did not become law after the Governor vetoed it and the legislature failed to override that veto.