Rep. Ann Roe

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates June 2025 as Pollinator Awareness Month in Wisconsin. It recognizes the ecological and economic importance of pollinators (like bees and butterflies) to agriculture and ecosystems, citing their role in producing food and supporting Wisconsin's $230 million in pollinator-dependent crops. The resolution has no regulatory effect - it is purely ceremonial, aiming to raise public awareness through existing community efforts like "No Mow May" rather than creating new policies or programs.

Maddy summaryAJR 53 designates May 5th each year as an annual observance to commemorate the 1886 Bay View labor strike in Milwaukee, where state militia fired on peaceful striking workers, killing seven and injuring four. The resolution formally recognizes the historical significance of this event, which involved workers protesting for an eight-hour workday and was met with violent suppression. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws or affect any specific group, but instead directs the state to honor this pivotal moment in labor history through an annual observance.

Maddy summaryAB 291 requires all state agencies to prioritize using native prairie and forage plants in their projects to support native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. This law directly affects state agencies, including departments and boards, by mandating they favor native plant species over non-native alternatives where appropriate. The Department of Natural Resources must provide requested information to help agencies implement this requirement. The bill creates a new statute section defining state agencies and establishing this preference without altering existing environmental protections.

Maddy summaryAJR 34 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Wisconsin's child support program on its 50th anniversary, specifically recognizing January 4, 2025 - the anniversary of the federal law that established the program. It highlights the program's impact, noting it served 341,000 children and collected $841 million in fiscal year 2023 while ranking third nationally in support collection. The resolution commends the work of county, state, and tribal child support agencies and their staff, who help enforce support orders, connect parents to services, and promote financial security for families. As a joint resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges the program's role in reducing child poverty and supporting Wisconsin families.

Maddy summaryAB 307 modifies the calculation method for the pupil participation limit in the state parental choice program. It replaces the previous formula with a new one requiring the limit to equal 10% (0.1) of a school district's enrollment from the prior school year. The bill also removes an existing exemption that allowed certain districts to exceed this limit. This change directly affects school districts participating in the program (excluding eligible districts and 1st-class city districts), limiting the number of students who can use the program each year based on the district's prior enrollment.

Maddy summaryAB 27 expands eligibility for state veterans' benefits to include individuals who served in Laos supporting U.S. forces during the Vietnam War and were naturalized under the federal Hmong Veterans Naturalization Act of 2000. The bill updates state statutes to define these veterans as qualifying for property tax exemptions (under 36.27) and other benefit programs (under 38.24 and 45.01). It specifically adds them to eligibility criteria for benefits previously limited to other veteran categories. This change directly affects Hmong veterans residing in the state who meet the federal naturalization requirements. The bill passed committee unanimously and is now pending in the Rules committee.

Maddy summaryAB 227 prohibits offering anything of value exceeding $1 (or $5 for recall and nomination petitions) to influence whether someone signs or refrains from signing specific election-related petitions. The bill defines "election period" as key time frames before spring elections (starting December 1), general elections (starting April 15), and special or recall elections. It specifically targets inducements for petitions about candidate nominations, recall efforts, or ballot measures on political/social issues during these periods. The law applies to all such transactions, including at candidate nomination meetings, to prevent undue influence on voter participation.

Maddy summaryAB 246 requires certain health insurance plans - including those covering government employees (state, county, city, town, village, or school district) and disability insurance - to cover asthma medications and related supplies like inhalers. It limits out-of-pocket costs to $25 per month for each asthma medication and $50 total for all related supplies, with no deductibles applied. The law applies specifically to these government-backed plans and self-insured employer plans, not all health insurance. It ensures asthma treatment remains affordable without requiring patients to meet deductibles first.

Maddy summaryAJR 72 is a ceremonial resolution that officially recognizes June 19, 2025, as Juneteenth Day in Wisconsin. It does not create new laws or policies but formally declares this date to honor the historical significance of Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States following Union troops' arrival in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865. The resolution acknowledges Wisconsin’s longstanding Juneteenth observance, including Milwaukee’s celebration beginning in 1971. As a symbolic gesture, it has no legal effect beyond promoting awareness of this historical milestone.

Maddy summaryAJR 69 is a commemorative joint resolution honoring the late Wisconsin State Representative Terrence A. "Terry" Willkom, who died in 2025. The resolution formally recognizes his public service in the Wisconsin Assembly (1971-1976), including his role as majority leader, and his personal legacy, while extending condolences to his family. As a ceremonial measure, it does not create new laws or affect any policies.