Rep. Supreme Moore Omokunde

Maddy summaryAB 480 requires most employers to include a salary range (minimum and maximum) and details about benefits like health insurance or retirement plans in all public job postings. Employers must also retain these posting records for two years and allow department or employee review. Penalties include $300-$600 for small businesses (under 50 employees) and $1,000-$2,000 for larger businesses for repeated violations. Third parties (e.g., staffing agencies) posting jobs on behalf of employers must follow the same rules.

Maddy summaryAB 479 reduces costs for individuals seeking trade licenses by creating a funding mechanism to offset fees for third-party-administered examinations. It allocates $181,900 annually (for 2025-26 and 2026-27) from the General Purpose Revenue fund to lower exam costs required for occupations like electricians or plumbers. The bill directly affects license applicants who must pay these third-party exams, as the funding lowers their out-of-pocket expenses. This is a straightforward appropriation bill with no new regulatory requirements, solely focused on reducing financial barriers for license seekers.

Maddy summaryAB 470 repeals the state's right-to-work law, which previously prohibited requiring employees to join a union or pay dues as a condition of employment. The bill eliminates section 111.04(3) and amends labor statutes to allow employers to collect union dues with employee consent (via written authorization) and to enter "all-union agreements" requiring membership in collective bargaining units where a majority of workers have voted in favor. This directly affects employees, employers, and labor organizations by removing restrictions on mandatory union membership and dues in unionized workplaces. The bill also establishes a new policy declaration emphasizing fair employment relations and collective bargaining rights.

Maddy summaryAJR 94 is a symbolic resolution that would officially recognize January as "Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month" across Wisconsin. It directly affects all Wisconsin residents by designating a specific month for statewide awareness efforts focused on human trafficking. The resolution has no binding legal requirements but serves as a formal declaration to encourage educational events, community outreach, and resource sharing related to human trafficking prevention during January. It does not create new laws or allocate funding.

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 538 requires state elected officials (such as governors, state senators, and representatives) to serve as election officials during their first full term and every three years thereafter. These officials must work at least eight hours on election day at a polling location, attend required training, and provide no compensation for this service. Officials with medical limitations may be exempt if they submit a physician's sworn statement verifying their inability to serve. The bill ensures their appointment doesn't count toward municipal staffing limits for elections. This applies to all general elections where they are not candidates on the ballot.

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 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 537 requires municipal clerks to return absentee ballots with incomplete or missing voter certification forms to the voter, rather than discarding them. This directly affects voters who make minor errors on their ballots and municipal clerks who process mail-in votes. The bill mandates that clerks return the ballot (in its sealed envelope) with a new envelope if needed, giving voters time to correct the error before the deadline. It changes the law from allowing clerks to return ballots ("may") to requiring it ("shall").