Sen. Dora Drake

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state-based health insurance exchange that will operate on the federal platform by 2029 and transition to a standalone state-run exchange by 2030. It authorizes the state insurance commissioner to collect user fees from insurers offering plans through the exchange, starting at 0.5 percent of monthly premiums for the federal platform phase and adjusting rates for the standalone phase. The legislation also creates a specific appropriation account for exchange operations, with any unspent funds exceeding 10 percent of annual expenditures returning to the state's general fund at the end of each fiscal year.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to join an interstate compact that would allow states to elect the U.S. president and vice president based on the national popular vote rather than the Electoral College. It would take effect only when enough states have joined the agreement to collectively hold a majority of Electoral College votes. The bill amends state election laws to implement the compact's provisions, which require member states to count all popular votes nationwide and award all Electoral College votes to the candidate who wins the most popular votes across all participating states. The agreement includes provisions for state withdrawal, dispute resolution in case of ties, and termination if the Electoral College is abolished.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to cap the maximum length of extended supervision or probation at five years for most felony and misdemeanor convictions in Wisconsin. It directly affects judges, prosecutors, and individuals sentenced to probation or extended supervision by limiting how long they can be required to report to a supervising agency. The legislation establishes a minimum supervision period of 25 percent of the prison sentence or five years, whichever is less, and sets a hard five-year ceiling for combined probation terms regardless of how many charges are involved. It also removes previous distinctions based on specific felony classes and ensures that even when probation is extended due to new convictions, the total supervision period cannot exceed five years.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Office of the Public Intervenor within the state insurance commissioner's office to help individuals navigate insurance claim denials for medical procedures, medications, and other health services. The office would be funded through assessments on insurance companies based on their disability insurance premium volumes and has authority to conduct audits of insurer claims processing practices. The legislation establishes specific requirements for how insurers must handle claim denials, including providing detailed explanations with policy citations, setting time limits for processing claims, and requiring transparency when using artificial intelligence in decision-making. Additionally, the bill prohibits several unfair practices such as using vague policy terms, stalling reviews, or denying claims without reviewing all relevant medical records.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a basic health plan option for individuals with household incomes up to 200% of the poverty line and establishes a purchase option program allowing eligible individuals with higher incomes to buy coverage through the state program instead of private insurance. The program would offer benefits equal to existing state coverage, use premium rates similar to managed care plans, and allow enrollment during standard open enrollment periods while seeking federal waivers to ensure financial stability. Additionally, the bill directs the state to develop a state-based insurance exchange that would allow access to these purchase options and grants officials authority to create necessary rules for implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill outlines specific circumstances under which parole or extended supervision can be revoked and individuals returned to prison. It directly affects people currently on parole or extended supervision in Wisconsin by defining when their release can be ended. The key provision establishes that officials cannot return a person to prison for any violation unless certain serious conditions are met, such as committing three or more violations that endanger others, violating a no-contact order, failing to register as a sex offender when required, or committing a new crime while on release. Additionally, the bill requires that victims be notified when parole or extended supervision is revoked if the victim can be located.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Office of Civil Legal Aid overseen by a nine-member Civil Legal Aid Board, which would be appointed by the state supreme court and include at least five attorneys. The legislation guarantees that residential tenants facing eviction have the right to be represented by a state-appointed lawyer, unless they voluntarily give up that right. Landlords would be required to include a notice in their rental agreements and eviction notices informing tenants of this right and explaining how to request legal representation. The bill also establishes procedures for the board to manage attorney appointments, handle budget approvals, and enter into agreements with legal organizations to support the program.

Maddy summarySB 1108 establishes a framework for reimbursing certified doulas under the Medical Assistance program and requires hospitals and birthing centers to allow these doulas to accompany patients during labor and childbirth. The bill defines a certified doula as someone certified by a department-recognized organization and authorizes the state to seek federal waivers to cover doula services for pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum support. It mandates that healthcare facilities adopt policies permitting Medical Assistance recipients to have a doula of their choice present, while exempting doulas from facility guest quotas and requiring hospitals to publish relevant policies online. The legislation also includes liability protections for hospitals and requires doulas to provide written proof of certification when requested by healthcare facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a clause to the state constitution that explicitly prohibits slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime where the person has been duly convicted. The amendment would modify the existing constitutional language to clarify that the exception for criminal punishment remains in place. If approved by voters, it would codify a long-standing legal principle into the state's fundamental law. The measure is currently in the legislative process and has not yet been adopted.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state minimum wage that increases annually from 2026 through 2034, with lower rates for small employers defined as those with 50 or fewer employees. It allows local governments to enact their own minimum wage ordinances and grants the state department authority to set wages for specific job categories like agricultural workers, camp counselors, and tipped employees. The law also gives the department power to exempt certain workers, such as casual domestic helpers and student workers, from minimum wage requirements. Starting in 2031, the minimum wage will be adjusted each year based on changes in the consumer price index to account for inflation.