Rep. Dan Knodl

Maddy summaryAJR 17 proclaims the week of April 14, 2025, as "Two Lights for Tomorrow Week" in the state of Wisconsin. It encourages government buildings, public spaces, and citizens to display two lights during that week to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding and reflect on shared history and values.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic assembly resolution (not a law) that honors Wisconsin women athletes' achievements. It specifically recognizes the accomplishments of athletes like the Wisconsin women's ice hockey team, Olympic medalists (e.g., Bonnie Blair, Beth Heiden), and others through formal acknowledgment in the Wisconsin Assembly. The resolution has no legal effect, funding requirements, or policy changes - it solely serves to publicly commend these athletes' contributions. It directly affects no individuals or groups beyond the symbolic recognition.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a law) adopted by the Wisconsin Assembly to honor Irish heritage. It formally expresses the Assembly's appreciation for Irish descendants in Wisconsin and their cultural contributions, specifically joining in the celebration of Saint Patrick's Day on March 17, 2025. The resolution acknowledges historical Irish immigration, military service (including the 17th Wisconsin Infantry), and the current Irish-American population in the state. It has no binding effect or policy changes - it is purely symbolic recognition. The resolution was adopted by the Assembly on March 13, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state agencies overseeing workforce development programs to annually track and publicly report on specific performance metrics, such as participant employment rates and earnings. The law defines these programs broadly to include job training, job placement services, and initiatives like reintegration efforts for offenders and assistance for workers facing business closures. Additionally, the bill mandates that employers planning business closings or mass layoffs provide affected employees with contact information for local workforce resources to help them find new opportunities.

Maddy summaryThis Wisconsin bill modifies the state's unemployment insurance law to improve how the department handles job search verification and fraud prevention. It allows employers to report when a job seeker declines offers, fails to attend interviews, or cannot perform available work, requiring the department to investigate these reports to determine eligibility. The legislation also establishes a legal presumption that anyone using a claimant's security credentials is acting on their behalf, while making the claimant responsible for protecting their login information and liable for benefits paid to unauthorized users. Additionally, the bill mandates that the department submit an annual report to the legislature detailing its efforts to detect and prosecute unemployment insurance fraud.

Maddy summaryThis Wisconsin bill proposes changes to the state's unemployment insurance law, specifically requiring the Joint Committee on Finance to approve certain federally authorized benefits before they are implemented. The legislation would mandate that the governor notify the committee whenever federal actions increase weekly benefit rates, total benefit amounts, or add new stipends based on unemployment eligibility. Additionally, it restricts the transfer of block grant funds between different programs unless the Joint Committee on Finance explicitly approves the move. Although the bill was amended and placed on the calendar, it ultimately failed to pass the legislature in 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Wisconsin laws to allow prosecutors to dismiss or amend certain criminal charges and adjust deferred prosecution agreements for specific offenses. It directly affects prosecutors, courts, and defendants charged with crimes such as domestic abuse, stalking, and various violent felonies. The key provisions require court approval before dismissing these charges to ensure public safety interests are met and mandate that deferred prosecution programs include community service work for public or nonprofit agencies. Additionally, the bill updates how domestic abuse surcharges are collected and directed toward services for abuse victims.

Maddy summaryThis bill mandates that all teacher preparation programs in Wisconsin require students to complete student teaching for at least one but no more than four full semesters before they can obtain a teaching license. It requires the state to track and report licensure exam passage rates separately for students who completed one semester, more than one semester, or the full duration of student teaching. Additionally, the bill establishes a new teacher apprenticeship program for students in qualifying programs and grants the state superintendent the authority to create rules governing this apprenticeship, including supervision requirements and registration processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits cities, villages, towns, and counties in Wisconsin from using their own funds to pay individuals under guaranteed income programs. It defines these programs as those providing regular, unearned cash payments that recipients can use for any purpose, while explicitly excluding initiatives that require work or training. The law restricts the use of local tax revenues, shared state funds, and fees for these payments, effectively banning municipal funding for such initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis Wisconsin bill proposes allowing the Secretary of Administration to temporarily transfer employees from any state agency to the Department of Workforce Development to help manage unemployment insurance appeals. Under the plan, transferred workers would serve as appeal tribunal members for up to 120 days, with the option to extend this period if the Joint Committee on Finance approves. The legislation ensures that neither the employee's original agency nor the Department of Workforce Development can raise the transferred employee's salary during the assignment. Although the bill was passed by the legislature, the Governor vetoed it in August 2023, and subsequent attempts to override the veto failed.