Sen. Devin LeMahieu

Maddy summarySB 699 modifies school transportation rules to allow more flexible options. It lowers the standard passenger limit for school buses from 14 to 9 or fewer people (excluding the driver) and creates a new emergency process: school boards can request temporary transportation for 10+ passengers if regular service is unavailable, requiring approval from the transportation secretary. The bill also specifies insurance requirements, mandating minimum $10,000 property damage and $25,000 bodily injury coverage for non-school-owned vehicles carrying 9 or fewer passengers. These changes directly affect school districts, bus contractors, and private providers offering pupil transportation services.

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 1075 establishes rules for University of Wisconsin System student athletes' name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights, allowing them to earn compensation for use of their identity while prohibiting agreements tied to athletic performance or endorsements of tobacco, alcohol, gambling, or illegal activities. It requires student athletes to disclose third-party NIL agreements and clarifies that such compensation does not make them employees or create grants. The bill also allocates $14.6 million annually for maintenance of UW-Madison athletic facilities, plus $200,000 each for the Klotsche Center (UW-Milwaukee) and Green Bay soccer complex. These funding provisions are separate from the NIL framework and are funded through specific appropriations.

Maddy summarySB 994 prohibits the public affairs network from charging fees for accessing live or archived state government proceedings when the network receives state funding for its operations. This applies directly to the state's public affairs network (which broadcasts government meetings) and the public seeking access to those recordings. The bill modifies existing rules to ensure fee-free access regardless of whether state funds are used, removing a prior condition that required explicit state funding for the fee ban. The key provision guarantees public access to government proceedings without cost under state-funded operations.

Maddy summarySB 736 exempts volunteers serving on church security teams from private detective and security licensing requirements while they work on their church's place of worship. The bill defines "church" as a legally recognized religious organization with a congregation that holds regular services. This exemption applies only to the church's primary worship space and does not cover schools or other properties operated by the church. The law creates a specific statutory exemption to simplify volunteer participation in church safety efforts without requiring state licenses.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 119 proposes to increase the staffing for the Department of Justice's Office of School Safety. The bill authorizes an additional 14.2 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions for the department. These new positions, funded by general purpose revenue, are specifically intended to support and enhance school safety initiatives. The increase in staff is scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 28 clarifies that transmission companies (including those not headquartered in Wisconsin) have the right to construct, own, and maintain certain high-voltage transmission lines eligible for regional cost-sharing, provided they connect to their existing facilities. The bill requires these companies to notify the Public Service Commission within 90 days of approval, justify if they decline construction, and submit detailed cost reports showing competitive bidding and quarterly updates. It mandates transparency by requiring companies to report costs charged to consumers outside Wisconsin. The law applies specifically to transmission lines approved in the Midwest Independent System Operator’s plan and directly affects transmission facility owners, not end consumers or other entities. The bill creates new definitions and procedures but does not alter cost-sharing requirements for the lines themselves.

Maddy summarySJR 99 is a symbolic resolution recognizing October 14, 2025, as "First Responders Appreciation Day" in Wisconsin. It honors all professional and volunteer police, fire, and emergency medical services personnel (including Wisconsin's over 4,800 career firefighters, 20,600 volunteer firefighters, 14,700 law enforcement officers, and 17,426 EMS personnel) for their daily service and risks. The resolution has no policy or legal effect - it merely declares a day of recognition through legislative proclamation. It does not create new requirements, funding, or changes to laws affecting first responders.

Maddy summarySB 258 modifies statutes to allow certified licensed advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to certify physical disabilities for permit applications, expanding the list of eligible professionals alongside physicians and other healthcare providers. Specifically, it amends sections 29.193 to permit APRNs to prepare and sign medical reports verifying physical disabilities for applicants seeking permits, replacing "licensed physician" with a broader list that includes APRNs in these contexts. The bill also makes technical changes to other statutes related to APRNs' practice authority but does not alter core scope-of-practice rules. This directly affects applicants for disability permits who may now use APRNs for required medical certifications. The bill focuses on administrative updates rather than new policy mandates.