Rep. Lindee Brill

Maddy summaryAB 963 requires large social media platforms (with $1 billion+ annual revenue) to identify users under 18 and obtain parental permission before collecting their personal data. After a user spends 25 hours on the platform within six months, companies must estimate age with 80% confidence; if uncertain, they must treat the user as a minor. Platforms must then get verifiable parental consent for data collection, including location, browsing history, and biometric information. This bill directly affects minors under 18 in the state and major social media companies operating there, focusing on data handling rather than restricting access to platforms.

Maddy summaryAB 817 increases the state reimbursement for certified veteran organizations providing military funeral honors from $50 to $100 per funeral. It directly affects local veteran groups certified by the department to perform these honors. The bill amends statute 45.60(2) to allow this higher reimbursement amount from a specific state fund, covering costs incurred by these organizations. The change applies to all military funerals in the state where honors are provided.

Maddy summaryAB 960 requires most social media platforms operating in the state to display a clear, prominent mental health warning each time a user in the state accesses the platform. The warning must inform users about potential negative mental health effects and provide access to crisis resources like the 988 suicide hotline. It applies to platforms defined as user-generated content services (excluding search engines, email, business communication tools, and streaming services), and prohibits hiding warnings in terms of service or allowing users to disable them without specific conditions. Violations may result in fines up to $5,000 per incident, enforced by state departments.

Maddy summaryAB 701 adopts the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act to shield individuals and organizations from lawsuits targeting their speech on matters of public concern. It creates a "special motion" allowing defendants to quickly dismiss such cases within 60 days of being sued, with the court requiring the plaintiff to prove their claim has merit. The law specifically protects speech in government proceedings, political expression, or press freedoms, but excludes lawsuits by/against government entities or commercial speech related to sales. This applies to civil suits where the core issue involves public discourse, not private business disputes.

Maddy summaryAB 717 is a procedural bill that renumbers an existing statute section (changing 961.16 (3) (cm) to 961.14 (2) (nd) 9g) within the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. It does not create new penalties or list carfentanil as a controlled substance; it only adjusts the statutory reference for administrative clarity. This bill directly affects the legal code structure but does not change any existing penalties or substance classifications. The summary is limited to the procedural renumbering, as no substantive policy changes are described in the bill text.

Maddy summaryAB 718 regulates the prescription, use, and disposal of abortion-inducing drugs. It requires physicians to schedule a patient follow-up within 7 days after prescribing such drugs and provide a catch kit and medical waste bag for proper disposal. The bill also holds drug manufacturers responsible for safely disposing of abortion-related waste and mitigating endocrine disruptors (chemicals interfering with hormones), imposing fines up to $20,000 per violation. Additionally, it mandates wastewater treatment plants to test for endocrine disruptors. The law takes effect on May 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution formally recognizes December 25 as the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ for the Wisconsin Legislature. It expresses the legislature's acknowledgment of Christmas as a sacred day for Christians, referencing biblical events in its preamble. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws, alter policies, or affect any specific group or policy. The resolution serves only to affirm the legislature's symbolic recognition of the holiday's religious significance.

Maddy summaryAB 746 exempts church volunteers serving on a church safety or security team from needing a private security license while working within the church's place of worship during their volunteer duties. The bill creates a specific legal definition of "church" (requiring distinct legal existence, a congregation, and regular religious services) and limits the exemption strictly to the church's worship space. It explicitly states this exemption does not apply to schools or other properties operated by the church. The bill aims to reduce regulatory barriers for faith-based organizations using volunteer security at their primary worship locations.

Maddy summaryAB 704 increases fees for snowmobile registration and trail use stickers in Wisconsin. It raises the public-use registration fee from $30 to $45 (with a $5 fee for political subdivisions), keeps private-use registration fee-free, and increases trail sticker fees: from $49.25 to $69.25 for exempt snowmobiles, $9.25 to $19.25 for club members meeting specific criteria, and $29.25 to $49.25 for others. The bill directly affects snowmobile owners who register their vehicles or use public trails. Key provisions include standardized fee increases and a reduced rate for members of qualifying snowmobile clubs.

Maddy summaryAB 709 amends Wisconsin state law to clarify rules for school transportation services, primarily affecting schools, school bus contractors, and emergency transportation providers. It allows school boards to request temporary emergency transportation for 15+ students when regular service isn't available, requiring written approval from the state transportation secretary. The bill also updates insurance requirements: vehicles carrying 9-14 students (not owned/leased by schools) must carry $10,000 property damage and $25,000 per person bodily injury coverage. These changes standardize emergency procedures and ensure minimum insurance coverage for non-school-operated transportation.