Rep. Darrin Madison

Maddy summaryAssembly Resolution 12 designates February 28, 2026, as Rare Disease Day in Wisconsin to raise awareness about rare diseases, which affect millions of Americans including Wisconsin residents. The resolution acknowledges challenges like delayed diagnosis and limited treatment access for conditions impacting fewer than 200,000 people. It aligns with a national observance organized by the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) and serves as a symbolic gesture without creating new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for Wisconsin's child care subsidy program (Wisconsin Shares) by allowing families with incomes above 200% of the federal poverty line but below 100% of the state median income to continue receiving subsidies. It creates a new eligibility pathway (20.437 (2) (ct)) to cover families previously disqualified due to income thresholds and adjusts copayment rules for those exceeding income limits. The policy directly affects low-income working families who lost subsidies due to modest income increases but remain below the new 100% state median income cutoff. A $1.25 million appropriation for fiscal year 2026-27 funds this expansion.

Maddy summaryAB 1016 allocates $2,166,600 annually for two fiscal years (2025-26 and 2026-27) to fund workforce training for child care providers and prospective providers. The bill creates a new funding line (20.437(2)(d)) under the Department of Children and Families, directing these funds toward contracts focused specifically on training child care staff. It directly affects licensed child care providers and those seeking to enter the field by providing financial support for their professional development. The bill establishes a dedicated funding stream but does not change eligibility rules or create new regulatory requirements.

Maddy summaryAB 1017 creates a new child care subsidy program specifically for custodial parents who work as employees in child care facilities. It allows these parents to qualify for subsidies under revised eligibility rules, bypassing standard income and asset requirements that typically apply to other subsidy recipients. The bill appropriates $1.2 million in fiscal year 2025-26 for administrative costs related to this new program. This directly affects parents employed by child care providers who have primary custody of children under 13 (or 19 if disabled) and meet the new eligibility criteria.

Maddy summaryAJR 136 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would add a new Section 1m to Article I of the state constitution, stating: "As a necessary part of a free society, the people have an individual and fundamental right to privacy." This resolution, introduced by multiple assembly members and senators, would establish this privacy right as a fundamental constitutional protection for all residents. The bill requires voter approval at the next general election, as it must be referred to voters following a three-month publication period. It does not create immediate legal requirements but proposes a foundational constitutional change.

Maddy summaryAB 1007 amends the definition of "veteran at risk" in Wisconsin law to explicitly include active-duty members of the U.S. armed forces, National Guard, or military reserves who have service-related physical or mental health conditions. The bill clarifies that a person qualifies as "at risk" based on information provided in a report about such conditions. This change directly affects military service members and veterans who may be identified through the existing veterans at risk alert system. The amendment refines the eligibility criteria for the system without creating new programs or funding.

Maddy summaryAJR 135 is a commemorative resolution honoring Wisconsin's Polish community for 180 years of residence and contributions. It formally recognizes the historical significance of Polish immigrants who arrived seeking freedom after Poland's partition, and acknowledges their cultural enrichment of Wisconsin. The resolution pays tribute to the community's enduring legacy, including figures like Polish-American heroes and refugees from historical events like the January Uprising and the Września Children's Strike. This non-binding resolution does not create new laws or policies but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of the community's historical impact.

Maddy summaryAB 1031 exempts menstrual discharge collection devices from sales tax. The bill defines these products to include tampons, pads, menstrual cups, period underwear, and other similar items designed for menstrual cycle use (such as period swimwear or sleep shorts), while explicitly excluding regular grooming products like soap or toothpaste. It adds these items to the list of tax-exempt goods under state law, meaning retailers won’t charge sales tax on them. This change directly affects consumers who purchase these products, making them more affordable by removing the tax burden.

Maddy summaryAJR 140 is a ceremonial joint resolution celebrating Wisconsin athletes competing in the 2026 Olympic Winter Games and Paralympic Winter Games in Italy. It formally recognizes specific Wisconsin athletes across sports like cross-country skiing, biathlon, wheelchair curling, sled hockey, and speedskating, highlighting their connections to Wisconsin communities. The resolution has no policy impact or funding provisions - it simply asks the Wisconsin Legislature to "celebrate" these athletes and "root for their success" as a symbolic gesture. This is purely a commemorative measure with no concrete legislative effect.

Maddy summaryAB 1015 adjusts Wisconsin Shares child care assistance copayment rules and increases funding. It limits copayments to no more than 7% of a family’s gross income (49.155 (5) (ag)) and waives copayments entirely for families earning below 150% of the federal poverty line (49.155 (5) (ar)). The bill also increases annual funding for child care subsidies by $22.93 million for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27. These changes directly affect low-income families using Wisconsin Shares child care assistance.