Rep. Margaret Arney

Maddy summaryAssembly Joint Resolution 52 proclaims April 20 to 26, 2025, as National Infertility Awareness Week in Wisconsin. The resolution formally affirms the legal right of patients in Wisconsin to undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF) and other fertility treatments. It also rejects the notion of embryonic or fetal "personhood," aiming to support individuals seeking various family-building options.

Maddy summaryAJR 61 is a symbolic resolution, not a law, that formally designates June 6, 2025, as "Gun Violence Awareness Day" in Wisconsin. It does not create new legal requirements or affect any specific group; instead, it serves as a ceremonial recognition of gun violence impacts. The resolution cites Wisconsin's statistics on gun-related deaths and injuries to frame the awareness day, but it contains no policy changes or funding mechanisms. This procedural action aims to highlight the issue through official proclamation, consistent with similar resolutions in other states.

Maddy summaryAB 289 bans the Department of Natural Resources from using neonicotinoid insecticides on state-owned lands it acquires and maintains. The bill directly affects the department’s land management practices, prohibiting these specific insecticides on properties covered under section 23.09(2)(d) of the statutes. Exceptions include existing cooperative farming agreements entered before the law's effective date and insecticide use for forest pest control on state forests, nurseries, or infested zones. The law creates a clear policy change for pesticide use on public lands while maintaining necessary exemptions for forestry and agriculture partnerships.

Maddy summaryAB 287 creates a new section of state law allowing local governments (like cities or counties) to regulate pesticides specifically to protect pollinators, such as bees and butterflies. The bill defines "pollinator" as insects that pollinate flowers and establishes a legal basis for local ordinances restricting pesticide use in ways that safeguard these insects and their habitats. This legislation directly affects local governments, enabling them to develop their own pesticide rules without overriding state law, while focusing on concrete protection for pollinators rather than imposing new statewide restrictions.

Maddy summaryAB 305 designates the rusty patched bumble bee (*Bombus affinis*) as Wisconsin's official state native insect. The bill amends Wisconsin statutes to add this designation to the list of state symbols included in the Wisconsin Blue Book. This is a symbolic, non-regulatory change that does not alter any policies or regulations affecting the public or environment. The bill creates a new statutory section (1.10 (3) (w)) and updates a reference in another section to include "native insect" in the Blue Book's listings.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates June 2025 as Pollinator Awareness Month in Wisconsin. It recognizes the ecological and economic importance of pollinators (like bees and butterflies) to agriculture and ecosystems, citing their role in producing food and supporting Wisconsin's $230 million in pollinator-dependent crops. The resolution has no regulatory effect - it is purely ceremonial, aiming to raise public awareness through existing community efforts like "No Mow May" rather than creating new policies or programs.

Maddy summaryAJR 53 designates May 5th each year as an annual observance to commemorate the 1886 Bay View labor strike in Milwaukee, where state militia fired on peaceful striking workers, killing seven and injuring four. The resolution formally recognizes the historical significance of this event, which involved workers protesting for an eight-hour workday and was met with violent suppression. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws or affect any specific group, but instead directs the state to honor this pivotal moment in labor history through an annual observance.

Maddy summaryAB 291 requires all state agencies to prioritize using native prairie and forage plants in their projects to support native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. This law directly affects state agencies, including departments and boards, by mandating they favor native plant species over non-native alternatives where appropriate. The Department of Natural Resources must provide requested information to help agencies implement this requirement. The bill creates a new statute section defining state agencies and establishing this preference without altering existing environmental protections.

Maddy summaryAB 307 modifies the calculation method for the pupil participation limit in the state parental choice program. It replaces the previous formula with a new one requiring the limit to equal 10% (0.1) of a school district's enrollment from the prior school year. The bill also removes an existing exemption that allowed certain districts to exceed this limit. This change directly affects school districts participating in the program (excluding eligible districts and 1st-class city districts), limiting the number of students who can use the program each year based on the district's prior enrollment.

Maddy summaryAB 227 prohibits offering anything of value exceeding $1 (or $5 for recall and nomination petitions) to influence whether someone signs or refrains from signing specific election-related petitions. The bill defines "election period" as key time frames before spring elections (starting December 1), general elections (starting April 15), and special or recall elections. It specifically targets inducements for petitions about candidate nominations, recall efforts, or ballot measures on political/social issues during these periods. The law applies to all such transactions, including at candidate nomination meetings, to prevent undue influence on voter participation.