Rep. Russell Goodwin

Maddy summaryAB 568 requires most health insurance plans and self-insured employer health coverage to cover infertility diagnosis, treatment, and standard fertility preservation services (like egg freezing before cancer treatment). It mandates coverage for at least four egg retrieval procedures and unlimited embryo transfers per American Society for Reproductive Medicine guidelines, with no extra costs or restrictions compared to other medical treatments. The bill directly affects health insurers, self-insured employers (including government entities), and people seeking infertility care or fertility preservation. It prohibits plans from imposing unique cost-sharing, waiting periods, or exclusions specifically for infertility services. The law applies to disability insurance policies and self-insured plans, excluding certain health benefit plans under existing statutes.

Maddy summaryAB 510 prevents law enforcement or medical providers from using statements about prostitution as evidence in court if a person contacts them to report another crime (like theft or assault) or seek medical care. It applies directly to individuals seeking help for non-prostitution issues, including those reporting on behalf of others. The bill prohibits using any prostitution-related statements obtained during these unrelated contacts in prosecution for prostitution or attempted prostitution. This policy change ensures that people accessing emergency services or reporting other crimes cannot face additional charges based on their initial contact. The bill is currently pending in the Judiciary Committee after its October 2025 introduction.

Maddy summaryAJR 110 is a symbolic resolution passed by the Wisconsin Legislature condemning Russia's actions in Ukraine, specifically targeting the abduction and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia. It declares these actions violate the Genocide Convention and constitute genocide, citing Russia's systematic efforts to separate children from families, facilitate forced adoptions, and re-educate them in occupied territories. The resolution formally holds the Russian government responsible for these acts, which it states aim to destroy Ukraine's cultural identity and future generations. As a joint resolution (not a law), it has no legal effect but serves as a formal statement of condemnation.

Maddy summaryAB 436 requires animal testing facilities and breeders to offer dogs and cats for adoption to shelters or rescue groups before euthanizing them, if the animals don't pose health/safety risks. Facilities must provide a 3-week window for adoption offers and submit annual reports tracking adoption numbers, animals used in testing, and shelter partners. This directly affects animal testing facilities (including research labs) and breeders who sell animals to such facilities. Violations carry a $5,000 penalty per animal, with no state liability for compliance actions.

Maddy summaryAB 550 requires food manufacturers selling packaged products in the state to include a prominent warning label on any item containing specific ingredients, such as certain artificial colors (e.g., FD&C Yellow No. 5), banned additives (like trans fats or titanium dioxide restricted in the EU), or chemicals listed in federal regulations. The label must state: "WARNING: This product contains an artificial color, chemical, or food additive that is banned in Australia, Canada, the European Union, or the United Kingdom," and meet visibility standards. Manufacturers must also post this disclosure on websites for online sales. Violations incur fines of $100-$1,000 for first offenses (or up to 6 months in jail) and higher penalties for repeat violations. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits serving margarine as a butter substitute in public restaurants unless specifically requested by the customer. It also bans using margarine instead of butter for students in schools unless ordered by the student or their parent/guardian, with limited health exceptions requiring a healthcare provider's direction. State institutions (like hospitals or prisons) can only substitute margarine for butter with superintendent approval for specific health reasons. The law aims to ensure butter substitutions are intentional and health-appropriate in these settings.

Maddy summaryAB 654 creates a public information campaign to reduce aggressive driving behaviors like excessive speeding, illegal racing, and fleeing police. The bill allocates $500,000 over two fiscal years ($250,000 annually) for the campaign, which must run for 1-2 years and prioritize areas with the highest incidents of such driving. It requires using billboards, radio, TV, and digital ads, while prioritizing local contractors and featuring stories from affected individuals like young drivers and families. The campaign targets high-risk drivers and must partner with community organizations to influence behavior, without making specific policy changes to traffic laws.

Maddy summaryAB 367 exempts minor league baseball players covered by a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) from standard labor laws requiring minimum wage, overtime pay, and detailed recordkeeping. Specifically, it creates new exemptions in state labor statutes for players whose CBAs explicitly define their wages and working conditions. Employers are no longer required to track these players' hours or maintain standard payroll records. The bill applies only to players under such CBAs, not to all minor league athletes. This is a procedural change to labor law exemptions, not a new pay standard.

Maddy summaryAB 408 designates the bacterium *Lactococcus lactis* as Wisconsin's official state microbe. This ceremonial bill has no regulatory or policy impact; it solely recognizes a specific microbe for symbolic representation. The bill passed committee recommendation with unanimous support and is now pending before the Rules committee. (Note: As a purely symbolic designation, it directly affects no individuals or entities through policy changes.)

Maddy summaryAB 509 updates Wisconsin's rules for highway project delivery by creating new definitions for alternative methods like "design-build" and excluding others. It establishes a $300 million annual funding limit for alternative delivery projects (adjusted yearly using the DOT's construction cost index), with a cap of six contracts per year. The bill specifically prohibits using "construction manager-general contractor" or "progressive design-build" methods in the pilot program. This directly affects the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, contractors bidding on highway projects, and state transportation budget allocations.