Rep. Adam Neylon

Maddy summaryAB 657 exempts sales and use taxes for specific equipment and materials used exclusively in qualified nuclear fusion technology projects. It covers over 70 listed items, including plasma heating systems, superconductors, diagnostic tools, specialized materials like lithium and tungsten, and safety equipment. The exemption applies to businesses conducting fusion projects focused on energy generation, medical isotope production, research, or other fusion-related applications as defined in the bill. This policy directly reduces costs for companies developing nuclear fusion technology by eliminating taxes on qualifying purchases.

Maddy summaryAB 180 requires the state Department of Health Services to request a federal waiver from the USDA to prohibit the use of FoodShare benefits (the state's name for SNAP) for purchasing candy or sugary drinks. The bill mandates that if the waiver is granted, candy and sugary drinks would be excluded from eligible items; if denied, the state must reapply annually. This applies directly to FoodShare recipients who currently can use benefits for these items. The bill creates a procedural requirement for the state to seek this change but does not immediately ban the purchases.

Maddy summaryAB 1078 creates a $5 million biennial grant program for Wisconsin's private nonprofit colleges (specifically those in the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities) to fund new academic programs or public infrastructure projects addressing workforce needs. Institutions must provide matching funds equal to the grant amount and demonstrate a self-sustaining revenue plan after program launch. The program limits any single institution to no more than 10% of total grant funds awarded. The bill establishes this program through new statutory sections and appropriates funds for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years.

Maddy summaryAB 1062 prohibits former members of the Public Service Commission from working for 36 months with investor-owned public utilities or transmission companies in roles involving policy-making, executive decisions, operations management, or government relations. It directly affects former commissioners who seek employment in these specific high-level positions within utility companies. The law applies retroactively to those who left the Commission within the 12 months before the bill's effective date. This restriction aims to prevent potential conflicts of interest by limiting immediate post-Commission employment in regulated utility sectors.

Maddy summaryAB 840 regulates data centers in the state by requiring specific operational and environmental standards. It mandates that data centers use closed-loop cooling systems (recycling water instead of using fresh water) and report annual water usage to the department. The bill also requires renewable energy facilities serving data centers to be located on-site and prohibits utility customers from paying for data center infrastructure costs. Additionally, operators must provide financial bonds for construction and restore land if projects are abandoned. These provisions directly affect all data center operators and developers in the state.

Maddy summaryAB 892 defines key terms related to digital assets and staking to clarify that these activities are not subject to the state's securities laws. The bill creates specific definitions for "digital asset," "node," "staking" (locking assets to support blockchain security), and "staking as a service" (third-party platforms enabling staking). Crucially, it explicitly states that staking and staking services "do not include" activities covered by securities regulations. This bill directly affects digital asset users, validators, and third-party staking service providers by removing regulatory uncertainty around these activities under current securities law. The bill focuses solely on definitional clarity, not on changing existing securities enforcement.

Maddy summaryAB 948 requires Wisconsin public school boards to adopt policies by July 1, 2027, prohibiting students from using personal wireless devices (like cell phones, tablets, and laptops) during the entire school day - including instruction, recess, transitions, and lunch - except for specific exceptions. These exceptions include emergencies, health management, accommodations under IEPs or 504 plans, and teacher-approved educational use. Schools must annually provide students with a copy of the policy and submit it to the Department of Justice by October 1, 2027, with annual updates thereafter. The bill affects all public school students and boards in Wisconsin, taking effect July 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryAJR 131 is a symbolic resolution designating March 2026 as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Month in Wisconsin. It does not create new laws or funding but formally recognizes MS as a significant health issue affecting thousands in the state. The resolution encourages Wisconsin residents to learn about MS and support those impacted by the disease and their families. It was introduced by multiple legislators and co-sponsored by numerous colleagues as a gesture of awareness, not a policy change.

Maddy summaryThis bill defines artificial intelligence and explicitly states that AI systems are not considered legal persons under Wisconsin law. It prevents AI from being granted rights such as marriage, holding property, serving in corporate roles, or facing legal liability, while assigning ownership of any assets generated by AI to its developers, manufacturers, or owners. The legislation clarifies that any attempt to grant AI legal personhood would be void and unenforceable.

Maddy summaryAB 909 creates a joint legislative steering committee to conduct a state-wide study of data sharing practices across government agencies. The committee will hire an external firm to assess current data management systems, identify barriers to efficient data sharing, and recommend improvements like standardized frameworks or an enterprise data office. The study must evaluate best practices from other states and identify high-value use cases for better data collaboration. The committee must submit its final report with recommendations by December 31, 2026, to the legislature. This bill focuses on improving internal government efficiency through data standardization, not on direct policy changes affecting the public.