Rep. Darrin Madison

Maddy summaryAB 497 requires charter schools and private schools participating in state school choice programs to follow public records and open meeting laws, but explicitly excludes student records from public access. The bill amends statutes to define these schools as "authorities" under public records law (Section 1), while adding a specific provision (Section 2) that states pupil records at these schools cannot be inspected or copied by the public. Key mechanisms include mandating compliance with Chapter 19 (Sections 4-6) for open meetings and records, but preserving privacy for student data. This directly affects families, parents, and community members seeking access to student information at participating schools. The bill does not change access to other school records or operational details.

Maddy summaryAB 175 requires owners of parking structures to hire a licensed engineer for a structural safety inspection at least once every five years, starting from the bill's effective date. Owners must submit inspection reports to their local government agency (like a city or county) and face penalties for missing deadlines, including $200 per month in fines and potential closure after 12 months. The law directly affects all parking structure owners statewide, ensuring ongoing safety checks to prevent structural failures. It does not apply to inspections already required under other existing statutes. Violations trigger mandatory reporting to state authorities and may lead to temporary closure of un-inspected structures.

Maddy summaryAB 442 changes the earliest date nomination papers can be circulated for local spring elections from December 1 to November 16. It affects towns and villages holding spring elections for offices like town council or village board. The bill adjusts the filing deadline for nomination papers to 5 p.m. on the first Tuesday in January (or the next business day if Tuesday is a holiday). This update applies to all relevant local election statutes covering nomination processes and vacancy procedures.

Maddy summaryAB 558 bans "warrior-style training" for law enforcement officers in the state, directly affecting law enforcement agencies, officers, and training organizations. The bill prohibits agencies from providing, arranging, reimbursing, or contracting for such training - defined as any program that dehumanizes individuals or encourages aggressive conduct that increases the likelihood of deadly force. It specifically exempts aikido training, allowing agencies to provide or reimburse for it. The law amends state statutes to enforce these restrictions on training content and funding.

Maddy summaryAB 441 requires law enforcement officers to clearly identify themselves during arrests or detentions. Specifically, officers must state their name, display their badge number and agency insignia (with specified visibility standards), and state the legal authority for the action. The bill prohibits concealing identity except for medical masks, tactical gear, or during imminent danger. Violating these rules is a Class D felony, though courts cannot impose jail time. This directly affects officers employed by state or local law enforcement agencies during enforcement actions.

Maddy summaryAB 512 prohibits employers from asking about a job applicant’s previous salary before making a job offer or using that information to set pay. It also allows employees to discuss or disclose their own pay with coworkers without retaliation. Employees who face discrimination for discussing pay can file complaints with the state labor department or sue in court, with damages limited by company size (ranging from $50,000 to $300,000). The law directly affects all employers and employees in the state, aiming to increase pay transparency and reduce wage discrimination.

Maddy summaryAJR 103 designates the last full week of September as Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) Awareness Week in Wisconsin. This symbolic resolution aims to raise public awareness about FTD - a progressive brain disorder affecting behavior, personality, or language - highlighting its challenges, misdiagnosis rates, and economic impact on families, without creating new policies or funding. It aligns with existing global awareness efforts but does not alter laws or provide resources.

Maddy summaryAB 517 prohibits foreign nationals from contributing to referendum committees and bans referendum committees from accepting such contributions. The bill directly affects foreign nationals (defined using federal campaign finance rules) and referendum committees organizing ballot initiatives. It adds a new provision to state law stating: "No foreign national may make a contribution to a referendum committee, and no referendum committee may accept a contribution from a foreign national." This clarifies existing federal restrictions apply to state-level referendum committees. The bill is currently in committee for review after its October 2025 introduction.

Maddy summaryAB 145 requires the state legislature to create and pass a plan to reduce carbon emissions by 52% by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The bill mandates that any legislative plan developed must prioritize improving both economic and racial equity alongside emission reductions. It directly affects the legislature, which must finalize this plan during the 2025-26 session. The key provision is establishing legally binding emission reduction targets with an explicit requirement to address equity impacts in the implementation strategy.

Maddy summaryAB 527 removes restrictions on county advisory referendums in Wisconsin. It eliminates a specific exception that previously barred counties from holding advisory votes on most issues, except for capital projects funded by property taxes. The bill amends statute 59.52(25) to allow county boards to conduct advisory referendums on any topic without prior restrictions. This directly affects county governments seeking to gather public input on local policy decisions through non-binding votes. The change removes barriers to community engagement on a broader range of local issues.