Rep. Ron Tusler

Maddy summaryAB 144 reassigns judicial positions within the state's court of appeals system. It eliminates one judgeship in District IV (reducing its total from 4 to 3 judges) and adds one judgeship to District III (increasing its total from 4 to 5 judges). The change takes effect on August 1, 2026, with the District IV position ending on July 31, 2026, and a new District III judge elected in the spring 2026 election for a 2026-2032 term. This directly affects the court structures in Districts III and IV of the court of appeals.

Maddy summaryAB 129 requires all public and private schools to implement safe drinking water systems by developing management plans that specify locations for filtered bottle-filling stations (one per 100 occupants) and filtered faucets. The bill mandates regular testing for lead (max 5 ppb) and PFAS chemicals, with immediate action if contaminants exceed limits - including shutting off affected outlets and replacing filters. Schools must maintain these systems, conduct annual testing, and update plans every five years. The bill is currently pending in the Education Committee after introduction in March 2025.

Maddy summaryAB 170 prohibits the Department of Justice from using legal services from non-governmental employees (such as private lawyers or contractors) for investigating or prosecuting civil or criminal cases. The only exception allows legal interns paid no more than $10,000 annually, even if they are not state or federal employees. This directly affects how the Department of Justice hires legal support for case work. The bill creates a new statute (165.252) to enforce this restriction, with no other exemptions beyond the intern provision. It was introduced in April 2025 and referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryAJR 25 is a joint resolution that formally proclaims April 24, 2025, as Holocaust Remembrance Day and April 27, 2025, to May 4, 2025, as Holocaust Days of Remembrance in Wisconsin. This resolution aims to raise public awareness throughout Wisconsin about the Holocaust and its impact on world history and shared humanity.

Maddy summaryAB 88 addresses civil actions and law enforcement responses related to riot and vandalism activities. The bill prohibits government officials from limiting or restricting law enforcement's authority to arrest individuals or quell such disturbances. It also creates a new civil cause of action, allowing individuals who suffer injury or property damage from riot or vandalism to sue those who committed the acts or provided material support. Victims may seek compensatory damages, an order for property repair, and legal fees, regardless of whether criminal charges are filed. The bill also defines "rioting" and "incite" for these purposes.

Maddy summaryAB 247 requires local governments to reduce building permit fees for certain home improvements benefiting disabled veterans. Political subdivisions must lower these fees by 75% or $500, whichever is less. This reduction applies when the permit is for improvements to a disabled veteran's primary residence that are necessary to accommodate their disability. The residence must be owned by the veteran or their caretaker, and local governments may request proof of eligibility.

Maddy summaryAssembly Bill 11 mandates that hospitals must obtain written informed consent from a patient before a pelvic examination is performed solely for educational purposes while the patient is under general anesthesia or otherwise unconscious. This bill creates a new statute requiring hospitals to ensure this consent is secured. Additionally, it directs hospitals to establish and maintain written policies and procedures that enforce this requirement for educational pelvic exams on unconscious patients.

Maddy summaryAB 159 creates a grant program to support rural creative economy development in Wisconsin. It provides competitive grants of up to $50,000 to eligible applicants - including rural cities, tribes, nonprofits, and economic development organizations - for projects like renovating public spaces, supporting public arts, and promoting local creative businesses. Applicants must secure matching funds from nonstate sources (with no more than 25% in-kind), and grants must directly benefit rural areas defined as populations under 10,000 or non-urbanized regions. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation must report on the program's effectiveness by May 2027.

Maddy summaryAB 177 exempts diapers and feminine hygiene products from state sales tax. The bill defines "diapers" as absorbent garments for people with incontinence and "feminine hygiene products" to include tampons, pads, menstrual cups, and similar items (excluding grooming products like soap or toothpaste). It adds these categories to the list of tax-exempt items under Wisconsin’s sales tax code (77.54(75)), directly affecting consumers who purchase these essential products. The exemption applies to both retail sales and use of these items, removing a tax burden on these daily necessities.

Maddy summaryAB 93 modifies the labeling and distribution requirements for fertilizers and soil or plant additives created from animal or vegetable manure, specifically compost and vermicompost. The bill allows producers of these manure-based products to use a "typical analysis" of their contents on labels and invoices, instead of a "guaranteed analysis" or "grade," if the claims are scientifically validated. It also exempts mixed fertilizers made from manure-based compost or vermicompost from minimum nutrient content requirements. Additionally, the bill prohibits the state department from requiring controlled experimental field tests for compost-based soil or plant additives when substantiating claims for permits.