Rep. Margaret Arney

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state minimum wage schedule that gradually increases from $15 per hour in 2026 to $20 per hour by 2030, with slightly lower rates for small employers defined as those with 50 or fewer employees. It also sets specific minimum wage rates for tipped employees, which increase more slowly over the same period. Beginning in 2031, the state department of labor gains authority to adjust the minimum wage annually based on changes in the consumer price index. The bill also grants the department power to create rules for special categories of workers, including agricultural employees, students, and those with disabilities, while exempting certain types of casual employment from minimum wage requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Wisconsin's residential tenancy laws to strengthen protections for tenants facing unsafe living conditions and retaliatory actions by landlords. It requires landlords to provide a rent abatement schedule when repairs for health or safety issues cause tenants to lose full use of their homes, while also clarifying that tenants cannot withhold all rent if they stay in the property. The legislation creates a legal presumption that certain landlord actions, such as rent increases or lease nonrenewals, are retaliatory if they occur within 12 months of a tenant exercising their rights. Additionally, it grants the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection the authority to establish specific rules for calculating rent reductions based on various conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes minimum nurse-to-patient staffing ratios across various hospital units, requiring hospitals to submit annual staffing plans that specify the maximum number of patients each registered nurse can care for during a shift. It also grants registered nurses the right to refuse work assignments that violate these staffing standards and prohibits mandatory overtime for nurses. Hospitals must create staffing committees with a majority of frontline nurses, post their staffing plans publicly, and maintain detailed records of actual staffing levels for at least three years. The bill includes penalties for non-compliance, including fines for failing to submit plans or follow corrective actions after violations are confirmed.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school districts in Wisconsin to ensure teachers have at least 45 minutes of daily self-directed preparation time, equivalent to one full class period. The provision applies to teachers covered by collective bargaining agreements or contracts, taking effect when those agreements expire or are modified. The legislation amends existing state statutes to mandate this preparation time as part of teachers' daily schedules.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits vaping on all public and private school property, including classrooms, playgrounds, and athletic facilities. It defines electronic smoking devices broadly to include e-cigarettes, vape pens, and similar products, regardless of whether they contain nicotine. The law applies to students, staff, and visitors on school grounds and allows schools or local governments to adopt even stricter rules if they choose.

Maddy summaryThis bill would authorize Wisconsin to join an interstate compact that implements a national popular vote system for electing the president and vice president, but it only takes effect once enough states have joined to control a majority of electoral votes. Under the agreement, member states would still hold traditional statewide elections, but they would award all their electoral votes to the presidential candidate who wins the most total votes nationwide rather than the winner of their individual state. The bill also includes provisions for handling ties, certifying results, and allowing states to withdraw from the compact with certain restrictions. This legislation does not change the current Electoral College system itself but creates a legal framework for states to participate in an alternative election method if sufficient states agree to join the compact.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes constitutional changes to give voters the power to directly reject laws passed by the legislature and to propose new laws or constitutional amendments themselves. Under the referendum provision, citizens could collect signatures equal to at least 4% of the last gubernatorial vote to force a vote on rejecting specific legislation, with rejected laws barred from being reenacted during the same session. The initiative provision would allow voters to propose laws or amendments by gathering signatures equal to 6% for laws or 8% for constitutional changes, with proposed measures limited to a single subject and requiring a 120-day waiting period before elections. The bill also prohibits payments based on the number of petition signatures collected and would require any approved initiative laws to be protected from legislative repeal for two years, with stricter rules for constitutional amendments.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require election officials to exclude candidates from federal ballots if there is conclusive evidence that the candidate is ineligible under the U.S. Constitution to hold the office. It directly affects election administrators and candidates for president, vice president, and other national offices by mandating that they verify constitutional eligibility before allowing names on ballots. The law specifies that ineligibility must be clear through candidate admission or other conclusive proof, and it prevents presidential electors from voting for candidates who are constitutionally ineligible. The bill creates new statutory sections to codify these requirements in state election laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new basic health plan for individuals with household incomes below 200 percent of the poverty line and creates a purchase option program allowing eligible people with higher incomes to buy coverage through the state program instead of private insurance. The program would offer benefits similar to existing state coverage, include tax credits for eligible participants, and set premium rates comparable to managed care plans while requiring federal waivers to implement. It also directs the creation of a state-based insurance exchange where individuals can access these purchase options and grants officials authority to create rules needed for implementation. The bill requires a report on federal waiver status and economic analyses by March 2027 before the program can be fully launched.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to update the legal definition of a political action committee (PAC) for campaign finance purposes in the state statutes. It would classify a group as a PAC if it spends more than $1,000 in a 12-month period on express advocacy, referendum support or opposition, or contributions to candidates, legislative committees, or political parties. The definition specifically excludes fundraising and administrative expenses from the spending calculation. This change would affect how organizations are categorized and regulated under campaign finance laws. The bill was introduced in March 2026 but failed to pass the Senate.