Rep. Paul Melotik

Maddy summaryAB 630 requires sex offenders on parole or extended supervision who cannot provide a stable address to notify the state department within 24 hours of losing that ability. If they cannot provide an address, the state department must use passive positioning tracking (like GPS) to monitor their location. This applies specifically to individuals under supervision who are unable to meet standard address reporting requirements under existing law. The bill updates registration rules to ensure continuous oversight when address information is unavailable.

Maddy summaryAB 625 requires state agencies to withhold 10-50% of certain homelessness program grants for at least 9 months. Service providers receiving these grants must demonstrate improved outcomes - like increased housing retention, job placement, or reduced homelessness returns - compared to a base year to receive the withheld funds. The bill mandates detailed reporting on program data and client outcomes, including housing stability metrics and demographic information. It directly affects organizations funded through specific homelessness grant programs under state statutes.

Maddy summaryAB 627 modifies licensing fees for animal-related businesses in Wisconsin. It creates three new market license classes: Class A ($420 annual fee) for markets selling livestock and wild animals, Class B ($220) for livestock-only sales with limited auctions, and Class E ($280) for equine-only sales (no wild animals or non-equine livestock). The bill also establishes a $20 annual fee for each animal transport vehicle and clarifies a $150 reinspection fee for violations. These changes directly affect animal market operators, dealers, truckers, and transport vehicle owners by adjusting their required annual fees and reinspection costs.

Maddy summaryAB 327 increases the empty weight limit for utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) from 3,000 pounds to 3,500 pounds under Wisconsin law. This change directly affects UTV operators and manufacturers by expanding the regulatory threshold for vehicles classified as UTVs (excluding golf carts, dune buggies, and tracked vehicles). The bill amends two sections of statutes to reflect this updated weight limit, which applies to vehicles originally manufactured with that weight capacity and designed primarily for off-highway use. The bill passed committee recommendations in November 2025 and is currently pending further legislative action.

Maddy summaryAB 322 designates the monarch butterfly as Wisconsin's official state butterfly. The bill adds a specific statutory provision (1.10(3)(w)) stating "The monarch butterfly is the state butterfly" and amends another section to include "butterfly" in the list of symbols featured in the Wisconsin Blue Book. This symbolic designation directly affects all Wisconsin residents by formally recognizing the monarch butterfly as a state emblem. The bill does not create new regulations or impact any policies - its sole purpose is to establish a ceremonial state symbol.

Maddy summaryAB 126 amends Wisconsin vehicle safety rules to allow school buses to have two additional back-up lamps - one mounted on each side of the bus - specifically designed to illuminate the rear wheels when the bus is backing up. This change directly affects school bus manufacturers, operators, and school districts that maintain school bus fleets. The bill adds a new provision (347.26(4)(am)) to the statutes, permitting these side-mounted lamps to project white or amber light, while existing limits on standard back-up lamps (max two, illuminating up to 75 feet rearward) remain unchanged for other vehicles. The law updates safety requirements for school buses to improve visibility during backing maneuvers without altering general vehicle lamp regulations.

Maddy summaryAB 581 creates two new disaster assistance grant programs funded through the state budget: a $10 million annual program for individuals affected by disasters and a $20 million annual program for businesses impacted by disasters. The bill establishes new statutory sections (20.465(3)(bf) and 20.465(3)(bg)) to formalize these biennial funding streams. These grants will directly assist residents and small businesses recovering from declared disasters by providing direct financial support. The legislation specifies the exact funding amounts for each program in the state's budget schedule without detailing eligibility criteria or application processes.

Maddy summaryAB 580 creates a state grant program to help individuals and businesses recover from disasters declared by the governor. It provides up to $25,000 per household for individuals to cover home repairs, damaged property, or temporary housing, and up to $50,000 per business for repairs, payroll, or operating costs. Applications must be submitted within 90 days of the disaster declaration, and grants cannot duplicate federal aid if available. The program is administered by the Department of Military Affairs, with eligibility requiring proof of disaster-related expenses and a commitment to repay if other aid is received.

Maddy summaryAB 574 updates Wisconsin's voter registration processes to improve accuracy by requiring election officials to verify voters' addresses using U.S. Postal Service data. It mandates that clerks remove voters from registration lists if they no longer reside at their registered address (e.g., when a postcard is returned or USPS data shows a change), and requires timely notifications to voters and election authorities about status changes. This affects all registered voters whose addresses need verification and election officials responsible for maintaining voter rolls. The bill streamlines existing procedures by standardizing address verification, removal triggers, and reporting requirements for voter registration lists.

Maddy summaryAB 545 prevents University of Wisconsin System institutions from charging students supplemental fees for exclusively online courses unless the fee covers specific, verifiable online costs or applies equally to in-person versions of the same course. It directly affects students enrolled in online courses at UW institutions, particularly non-resident students who might face higher fees. The bill adds a new requirement (36.27(1)(c)) that prohibits unjustified fees for online-only courses while allowing fees tied to actual online-specific expenses or those applied consistently to in-person equivalents. This policy change targets course-related charges, not tuition rates, and applies starting 30 days after the law takes effect.