Rep. Brienne Brown

Maddy summaryAB 469 modifies Wisconsin's unemployment insurance rules for claimants who concealed work. It repeals outdated provisions and amends Section 108.04(11)(bm) to clarify that claimants who hid work (triggering ineligibility) will not earn "waiting period credit" during their ineligibility period. Instead, if no benefit rate applies to their claim week, the department will use their next benefit year's rate to calculate any reduction. This directly affects unemployed workers who previously concealed employment when filing for benefits.

Maddy summaryAB 482 repeals provisions that allowed cities, towns, and counties to create local family and medical leave ordinances. It directly affects local governments (like cities and counties) that previously could require employers to provide such leave, and employers in those jurisdictions. The bill amends statutes to prohibit local governments from enacting or enforcing any ordinance requiring employers to provide family or medical leave benefits, including existing ordinances in effect as of April 18, 2018. This shifts authority away from local governments to the state level for family leave policies.

Maddy summaryAB 465 revises state law to require permits for most employment of minors under 16 years old, with specific exemptions for home-based work not tied to the employer's business, nonprofit work for elderly or disabled individuals (e.g., snow shoveling), and election inspector roles. Employers must obtain and maintain these permits, and failure to produce them during inspections is considered evidence of unlawful employment. The bill also prohibits advertising for minor employment during school hours without stating the required minimum age and bans soliciting minors to leave school for work. Additionally, it removes an exception allowing minors to work during school hours with a permit, making such employment illegal.

Maddy summaryAB 532 updates Wisconsin's unemployment insurance benefit structure. It sets new maximum weekly benefit amounts: $370 for claims starting before January 4, 2026; $497 for claims starting January 4, 2026, through January 2, 2027; and establishes an annual inflation adjustment (using CPI data) for future years. The bill also raises the earnings threshold that reduces benefits from $500 to $672 for claims starting January 4, 2026, with future adjustments tied to inflation. These changes directly affect unemployed workers qualifying for state unemployment benefits by modifying benefit caps and the income level at which benefits decrease.

Maddy summaryAB 474 repeals two existing statutes (103.007 and 109.09(3)) that prevented local governments from creating their own employment regulations. This change would allow cities and counties to establish their own rules on issues like minimum wage, scheduling, or workplace safety, rather than being restricted by state law. The bill directly affects local governments and employers operating within municipalities that wish to implement stricter or different employment standards than the state currently permits. It is a procedural repeal with no new provisions or funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryAB 467 modifies unemployment insurance requirements for claimants. It mandates that individuals seeking benefits must complete at least four documented work search activities weekly (with the department able to set higher standards via rules), unless they have a verified expectation of reemployment with their former employer. The bill also establishes a process for the department to waive work search requirements through rulemaking and requires employers to verify reemployment prospects for exemptions. This directly affects unemployed workers filing for state unemployment benefits in Wisconsin.

Maddy summaryAB 468 modifies unemployment insurance eligibility rules for workers terminated due to misconduct. It creates a new definition of "misconduct" that includes deliberate violations of workplace policies, excessive absenteeism without valid reasons, and willful violations of government regulations. The bill requires workers terminated for misconduct to wait 7 weeks and earn wages equal to 14 times their weekly benefit rate before requalifying for benefits. These changes directly affect workers who lose jobs for specific workplace conduct and employers who pay into unemployment insurance funds.

Maddy summaryAB 593 amends Wisconsin statutes to clarify and strengthen collective bargaining processes for University of Wisconsin System employees covered by union contracts. It requires pay increases to align with existing compensation plans or collective bargaining agreements, prohibits closed-session negotiations for finalizing agreements, and updates funding mechanisms for grievance arbitrations and training. The bill directly affects UW System employees in unionized positions and their bargaining representatives. Key provisions include revised rules for pay adjustments, transparency in negotiation procedures, and specific appropriations for dispute resolution services under existing labor laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require Wisconsin state highway maps to specifically identify the Brooklyn Area Veterans Memorial in Brooklyn, Green County. It creates a new statutory reference (84.02 (5) (d) 2. r.) to ensure the memorial's location appears on official state highway maps. The bill directly affects state transportation mapping practices but does not alter veterans' benefits, funding, or other policies. This is a procedural change to improve map accuracy for the memorial's location.

Maddy summaryAB 10 creates a sales and use tax exemption for gun safes specifically designed to store firearms, excluding general gun storage items like locking cabinets or racks. This exemption applies to buyers purchasing qualifying safes, meaning they won’t pay state sales or use tax on these items. The bill amends tax statutes to explicitly list gun safes under exempt categories, ensuring retailers don’t need to collect tax for these purchases. It directly affects consumers and retailers selling purpose-built gun safes, with no impact on other firearm-related products or tax policies.