Rep. Jeff Mursau

Maddy summaryAB 24 requires Wisconsin county sheriffs to verify the immigration status of individuals jailed for felony offenses by requesting specific documentation (such as passports, birth records, or immigration documents) to confirm lawful presence in the U.S. If verification fails, sheriffs must notify federal Homeland Security and comply with federal detainer requests. Sheriffs must annually report compliance and maintain records of individuals found unlawfully present, with data shared with the state justice department. Counties failing to comply face a 15% reduction in state funding for the following year. The bill directly affects felony inmates, sheriffs, and state-local funding relationships.

Maddy summaryAB 1 standardizes how Wisconsin schools and districts are evaluated by requiring consistent assessment metrics. It mandates that the state department use the same cut scores and performance categories for English/language arts and math tests in grades 3-8 that align with national National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) standards. For high school grades 9-11, it requires using the same metrics applied in the 2021-22 school year. This directly affects all public schools and districts in Wisconsin by changing how their accountability reports are calculated. The bill aims to create uniformity in school performance evaluations across the state.

Maddy summaryAB 87 modifies Wisconsin law to require courts to order immediate restitution payments for human trafficking convictions (specifically under sections 940.302(2) or 948.051) and to enforce these payments through property execution if unpaid. It also changes voting rights restoration rules: a person convicted of a felony regains voting rights only after completing their sentence, paying all fines/costs/restitution, and finishing any court-ordered community service. The bill mandates that the elections commission must inform individuals in writing when their voting rights are restored. This directly affects people convicted of human trafficking (impacting restitution timing) and all felony offenders (impacting voting rights restoration conditions). The law was vetoed by the governor on August 11, 2025.

Maddy summaryAB 461 creates a new tax deduction for Wisconsin taxpayers who earn qualifying overtime pay. It allows individuals to subtract up to $12,500 (or $25,000 for joint filers) of overtime compensation from their taxable income, provided the overtime was reported to the IRS via standard forms (like Form 1099-NEC). The deduction phases out for higher earners: it decreases by $100 for every $1,000 their modified federal adjusted gross income exceeds $150,000 (or $300,000 for joint filers). This applies only to overtime pay reported to the IRS, excluding tips, and requires taxpayers to include their Social Security number on their return.

Maddy summaryAB 549 updates rules for manufactured home sales and title certificates in the state. It directly affects manufactured home dealers, buyers, and county offices handling title records. Key changes include requiring dealers to provide receipts for title payments, preventing dealers from listing themselves as owners on title applications when reselling, and mandating that title records include the home's location by county. The bill also clarifies when title applications are considered submitted and specifies details required on title documents, such as the home's address and identification number.

Maddy summaryAB 146 would require Wisconsin employers to provide written reasons for objecting to unemployment insurance claims and give them at least 12 business days to respond to information requests from the unemployment department. The department would also be permitted to seek additional details directly from employees about their eligibility, employment, or wages. This bill applies to claims filed for weeks beginning after its effective date, affecting employers, the unemployment department, and employees involved in claims. It modifies the existing process for handling claim disputes without changing benefit eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryAB 281 requires state agencies and contractors to verify employees' work eligibility through the federal E-Verify program before hiring or awarding government contracts. It prohibits contracts with employers not enrolled in E-Verify or who knowingly hire workers flagged as ineligible by the program. Contracts must include written verification statements, and violations require immediate termination without liability for uncompleted work. The law applies to state procurement, construction, and local government hiring, but stops if the federal E-Verify program ends.

Maddy summaryAB 326 creates a program providing grants to small local governments (populations under 7,500) to cover costs for grant writing and compliance assistance services. Grants up to $5,000 can be used for securing funding related to public works, transportation infrastructure, public safety, utility costs, or cybersecurity projects. The program requires a simple application listing only basic details (project purpose, contact info, and estimated costs) and prioritizes first-time applicants. A report evaluating the program must be submitted by December 2028.

Maddy summaryAB 460 changes eligibility rules for parental choice education programs (like school vouchers or education savings accounts). It allows a student to qualify for such a program if a sibling or dependent child of their parent/guardian is already enrolled in the program. This directly affects families with multiple children, making it easier for additional children in the same household to access these programs once one child qualifies. The bill is currently under review by the Rules Committee after passing the Education Committee.

Maddy summaryAB 629 prohibits operating drones over correctional facilities without authorization from facility leaders (e.g., secretary of corrections or sheriff). It imposes a $5,000 fine for unauthorized drone flights and criminalizes using weaponized drones (equipped with tasers, firearms, etc.) near prisons, classifying it as a Class H felony. The bill grants police officers authority to disable or destroy drones they reasonably believe pose an imminent threat to public safety, including through jamming or hacking, without financial liability for property damage. These provisions directly affect drone operators near prisons, facility staff, and law enforcement agencies, with specific focus on preventing security threats at correctional institutions.