Rep. Paul Melotik

Maddy summaryAJR 107 is a symbolic joint resolution designating November 2025 as "Veteran Mental Health and Suicide Awareness Month" in Wisconsin. It directly affects Wisconsin veterans by raising public awareness of their elevated mental health challenges and suicide rates, citing that 134 veterans died by suicide in Wisconsin in 2023 (15% of all adult suicides despite veterans comprising only 5% of the adult population). The resolution does not create new programs or funding but aims to highlight existing resources like the Wisconsin Veterans Crisis Line and honor veterans' service. It was introduced by multiple legislators and cosponsored by numerous senators, reflecting legislative recognition of veteran mental health as a priority.

Maddy summaryAB 590 revises the statutory definition of "physical activity" in section 448.95(7) to include moderate or greater participation in exercise, sports, recreation, wellness, fitness, or employment activities. It specifically clarifies that "moderate participation" means activities increasing heart and breathing rates without making conversation difficult. This is a definitional change to the statutes, not a new policy affecting specific groups or programs. The bill was introduced in October 2025 and referred to the Health Committee.

Maddy summaryAB 501 establishes new standards for free speech and academic freedom at University of Wisconsin System institutions and technical colleges. It protects students, faculty, staff, and graduate assistants from campus restrictions on First Amendment-protected speech, including in virtual spaces (except during virtual classroom instruction). Institutions may only limit speech that violates laws, constitutes threats/harassment, or materially disrupts operations, and must use content-neutral time/place/manner rules for public forums. The bill also creates legal grounds for individuals to sue the Board of Regents or technical college boards if these protections are violated.

Maddy summaryAB 505 creates a state program to help veterinarians in rural counties repay student loans. It provides grants covering up to $100,000 over four years (max $25,000 annually) for vets working full-time in rural areas who provide at least 25% of their care to farm animals. The grants are specifically for repaying debts from veterinary school and are exempt from state income tax. This directly affects veterinarians in qualifying rural counties who meet the employment and farm animal care requirements. The program begins for 2025 veterinary graduates.

Maddy summaryAB 487 allows the ethics commission, elections commission, and specific joint committees to hold closed sessions to discuss information technology security issues affecting their jurisdictions. The bill requires these committees to later publish redacted summaries of their discussions, removing confidential or proprietary details. It also restricts access to sensitive IT security records, permitting disclosure only to the designated joint committees for oversight purposes. The law clarifies procedures for convening closed sessions and limits business conducted during them to only IT security matters. This creates new transparency requirements while protecting sensitive security information.

Maddy summaryAJR 110 is a symbolic resolution passed by the Wisconsin Legislature condemning Russia's actions in Ukraine, specifically targeting the abduction and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia. It declares these actions violate the Genocide Convention and constitute genocide, citing Russia's systematic efforts to separate children from families, facilitate forced adoptions, and re-educate them in occupied territories. The resolution formally holds the Russian government responsible for these acts, which it states aim to destroy Ukraine's cultural identity and future generations. As a joint resolution (not a law), it has no legal effect but serves as a formal statement of condemnation.

Maddy summaryAB 436 requires animal testing facilities and breeders to offer dogs and cats for adoption to shelters or rescue groups before euthanizing them, if the animals don't pose health/safety risks. Facilities must provide a 3-week window for adoption offers and submit annual reports tracking adoption numbers, animals used in testing, and shelter partners. This directly affects animal testing facilities (including research labs) and breeders who sell animals to such facilities. Violations carry a $5,000 penalty per animal, with no state liability for compliance actions.

Maddy summaryAB 9 allows representatives from specific federally chartered youth organizations (like those in U.S. Code titles 36, chapters 301, 309, 311, 709, or 803) to provide information to students on public school property. It requires school principals to schedule at least one designated time during the start of each school term for these organizations to share details about their educational and civic programs. The bill directly affects public schools (including charter schools) and students, with the goal of encouraging student participation in these youth organizations. It takes effect for the 2026-27 school year and does not alter existing school policies on other activities.

Maddy summaryAB 477 changes the age threshold for issuing a Missing Child Alert from under 10 years to under 12 years. It directly affects minors under 12 who are believed to be incapable of returning home without assistance due to a physical or mental condition, disability, or inability to navigate safely. The bill amends the statute to adjust the age requirement while maintaining the existing criteria for qualifying alerts. This is a technical adjustment to the alert system's eligibility rules, not a new program or policy. The change aims to expand the alert coverage to include older minors who may still require urgent assistance.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public school districts to allow military recruiters access to high school common areas and school events during the school day, as mandated by federal law (10 USC 503(c)). It specifically prohibits schools from denying this access based on whether they allow college recruiters or employers, but explicitly states that classrooms during instructional time are excluded. The law applies to all public high schools and takes effect for the 2025-26 school year. It directly affects school districts, which must adjust their policies to comply.