Sen. Chris Kapenga

Maddy summarySB 116 requires University of Wisconsin and technical college athletic programs to designate intercollegiate or club sports teams as "male" or "female" based solely on the sex assigned at birth (per birth certificate). It prohibits students assigned male at birth from participating on women's teams or using women's locker rooms. The bill allows female students to sue institutions for violations denying participation or causing harm, and permits institutions to sue organizations penalizing them for compliance. This law applies to all affected athletic teams starting in the first semester after its effective date.

Maddy summarySB 18 standardizes how schools and districts are rated in annual accountability reports by maintaining consistent scoring methods. It requires using the same cut scores, score ranges, and performance categories (like "Proficient" or "Advanced") that were applied in the 2019-20 school year for all schools and districts. For grades 3-8 English/language arts and math tests, it mandates alignment with National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) standards, while grades 9-11 will use scoring from the 2021-22 school year. This bill directly affects public schools and districts in the state that receive these accountability reports. The changes apply starting with the 2025-26 school year.

Maddy summarySB 157 prohibits healthcare providers from performing or referring minors under 18 for specific gender transition medical interventions. The bill bans surgeries (like hysterectomy or mastectomy), puberty-blocking drugs, and supraphysiologic hormone treatments aimed at changing a minor’s body to align with a gender discordant with their biological sex (defined as female or male based on chromosomes, sex organs, and hormones). Exceptions apply for minors with genetic disorders of sex development, infections, injuries, or life-threatening conditions requiring immediate surgery. Violations could lead to license revocation for healthcare providers, with disciplinary processes outlined in the bill.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 154 requires the Department of Health Services (DHS) to request a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This waiver aims to prohibit the use of FoodShare benefits, also known as the federal food stamp program, for purchasing candy or soft drinks. If the waiver is granted, individuals receiving FoodShare benefits would no longer be able to use them to buy these specific items. The bill mandates that DHS continue to submit this waiver request annually until it is approved.

Maddy summarySB 194 clarifies when public records requesters can recover attorney fees after suing a government agency. It applies directly to individuals or groups who file court cases seeking records and later get the records released. The bill adds that requesters "prevail" if a court orders the release or if the agency voluntarily shares the record *after* a lawsuit is filed, and the court finds the lawsuit was a key reason for the release. This change makes it easier for requesters to get fee awards without waiting for a full court ruling, streamlining the process under the state's public records law.

Maddy summaryThis bill permits courts to use artificial intelligence translation tools instead of or alongside human interpreters in both civil and criminal court proceedings. It applies to all court settings requiring language assistance, including municipal courts and criminal trials. The key change is that courts no longer need to obtain waivers from parties to use AI translation, which differs from current rules for human interpreters. It directly affects non-English speakers accessing court services and court staff managing interpretation needs.

Maddy summarySB 280 redirects $172 million in interest earned from coronavirus state and local fiscal recovery funds to the general fund. It directly affects the state's budget by moving existing interest funds that would otherwise remain in the department of administration's appropriation. The bill's key mechanism is a fiscal adjustment under section 20.906(1), lapsing these funds to the general fund upon the bill's effective date. This is a procedural budget reallocation, not a new policy or program.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 58 modifies the information provided on ballots for certain referenda that affect property taxes. It requires these ballot questions to include a good faith estimate of the dollar amount difference a median-valued, single-family residence would experience if the referendum passes, along with the property value used for the estimate. For bond referenda, the bill also mandates the inclusion of the estimated interest rate, total interest accruing, and any fees for bond defeasance. These changes affect voters and local political subdivisions by providing more detailed financial impact information for property tax-related ballot measures.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 81 modifies the process for school district operating referenda in Wisconsin. It requires school board resolutions for referenda to clearly specify if proposed excess revenue is for recurring or nonrecurring purposes, and the exact amount for each. The bill also mandates that the referendum ballot itself must state if any approved excess revenue is for a nonrecurring purpose and its corresponding amount. A key change is that only excess revenue approved for recurring purposes will be included in the base for determining future revenue limits, while nonrecurring excess revenue will not be added to this base. This affects how school districts manage their budgets and how voters are informed about these proposals.

Maddy summarySB 57 reclassifies certain actions by county sheriffs who assist federal immigration authorities as a felony instead of a misdemeanor. It directly affects county sheriffs who provide support for federal immigration enforcement activities. The key provision changes the legal penalty for sheriffs participating in specific immigration-related functions, increasing the potential punishment. This bill modifies existing law to impose stricter criminal penalties for sheriffs engaging in these activities.