Sen. Van Wanggaard

Maddy summarySB 474 adds soybean-derived fire suppression products to the list of eligible costs for state fire grant programs. This means local fire departments and municipalities can now use state grant funds to purchase fire suppressants made from soybeans, rather than only traditional chemical-based products. The bill directly affects grant recipients by expanding their funding options for fire safety equipment under existing state grant programs. It creates a specific policy change without altering other grant requirements or imposing new costs.

Maddy summarySB 556 creates new annual payments to municipalities and counties for hosting energy storage facilities (like batteries or thermal systems) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage facilities. For energy storage facilities with at least 1 megawatt capacity, payments are calculated as $2,000 per megawatt, split between the local city/town (two-thirds) and county (one-third) or town (one-third) and county (two-thirds). For LNG storage facilities, payments are based on the property's net book value at 6 mills for cities/villages or 3 mills for towns, with the county receiving the remaining share. The bill ensures payments continue even if some facility units cease operation, maintaining consistent support for local governments.

Maddy summaryThis bill congratulates the U.S. Olympic Women's Ice Hockey Team on winning the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics. It specifically highlights the achievements of Wisconsin-affiliated players and staff, including former and current University of Wisconsin athletes who competed on the team. The resolution formally commends the athletes, coaches, and support staff for their success and wishes them continued success. The bill is a ceremonial measure with no regulatory or policy changes.

Maddy summarySB 928 expands campus safety requirements to technical colleges by requiring district boards to create detailed safety plans for all technical college campuses. These plans must include individual building safety strategies, emergency response procedures for incidents like violence or natural disasters, and guidelines for staff training. The bill also creates new duties for the Office of School Safety to develop technical college-specific safety models, coordinate with colleges on safety data sharing, and provide campus safety training for staff. Technical college district boards, staff, and local law enforcement are directly affected by these new requirements, which take effect by January 2027.

Maddy summarySB 926 creates a two-year pilot program (2026-27 and 2027-28 school years) to provide behavioral health prevention tools to at least 50,000 high school students across Wisconsin. The program allocates $3 million in funding, with up to $1.5 million per school year, to deliver an electronic tool meeting specific requirements: online education resources, moderated peer support, private sessions with mental health professionals, mobile/web accessibility, and English/Spanish language support. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction will administer the pilot, potentially contracting with educational service agencies, and must select tools proven effective in rural and urban schools in other states. This program directly affects high school students by expanding access to preventive mental health services through a structured digital platform.

Maddy summarySJR 129 is a symbolic resolution recognizing Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as holidays in Wisconsin. It does not create new laws or mandate time off, but aims to formally acknowledge these major Islamic holidays to promote inclusivity. The resolution highlights the religious significance of the holidays - Eid al-Fitr ending Ramadan and Eid al-Adha marking the Hajj pilgrimage - and encourages schools and employers to be mindful of these observances. It directly affects Wisconsin’s Muslim community (approximately 70,000 people) by affirming their cultural and religious practices.

Maddy summarySB 955 allocates an additional $400,000 annually for the Department of Justice's Internet Crimes Against Children unit, covering fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27. This funding increase supports existing law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute online crimes targeting children. The bill does not create new laws or policies but provides specific budgetary resources for current operations.

Maddy summarySB 995 would appropriate state funds to cover individual income tax rebates for 2026, directly affecting eligible Wisconsin residents who qualify for these rebates under prior law. The bill creates a new statutory provision requiring the state to allocate sufficient funding to make these rebate payments. It references a 2025 legislative act that established the rebate program but does not change the rebate eligibility or amounts. The bill is currently pending in the Agriculture and Revenue Committee after a committee recommendation for passage.

Maddy summarySB 1 provides a one-time tax rebate to Wisconsin taxpayers who filed individual income tax returns for 2023-2024. Eligible married couples filing jointly receive $1,000, while other individuals receive $500, capped at their actual tax liability for that period. The Wisconsin Department of Revenue will automatically identify eligible taxpayers and issue payments by September 15, 2026, with a claim process available through December 31, 2026, for those who don’t receive the full amount. The bill applies specific tax refund procedures to these rebates, treating them as tax liabilities under existing Wisconsin law.

Maddy summarySB 1033 would change zoning rules for development districts in the Village of Somers by raising the maximum allowable residential land use from 35% to 50% of the district's total area. This specifically affects new residential projects within Somers' tax incremental districts, which are designated areas used to spur local economic development through tax revenue reinvestment. The bill amends a statute defining "mixed-use development" to remove the 35% cap and replace it with a 50% limit for Somers, while maintaining the 35% cap for other areas. This policy change directly modifies how residential space can be allocated in development plans approved for Somers' tax increment districts.