Rep. Randy Udell

Maddy summaryAB 873 increases annual funding for crime victim services by $17,101,350 for both fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27, totaling $34.2 million over two years. It specifically allocates $4,025,800 to convert 17 existing full-time positions (FED) to permanent positions (GPR) within the Department of Justice. This funding directly supports state-run crime victim services programs that assist individuals impacted by crime. The bill makes no changes to eligibility or service scope - only increases the budget for existing programs.

Maddy summaryAB 863 modifies Wisconsin's rules for "no-sale event venue permits," which allow venues to host events where alcohol is consumed without sales. The bill sets clear limits: venues can host up to 36 events per year (max one day monthly, each event ≤36 hours), and permits require applicants to surrender existing retail alcohol licenses. Key provisions permit guests to bring their own beer and wine for free, allow caterers with specific licenses to provide alcohol without charge, and restrict service to licensed personnel. These changes clarify how venues can operate under existing alcohol laws without issuing sales permits. The bill takes effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryAB 941 allows Wisconsin college and university student identification cards to be used as valid voter identification. It specifically applies to students at state-accredited universities (including the University of Wisconsin System) and technical colleges in the state. The bill requires these IDs to include the issuance date, student signature, and an expiration date no later than two years after issuance. If an ID is expired, voters must prove current enrollment at the institution on the day they vote. The law takes effect for institutions by August 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryAB 917 creates a $150 million First-Time Home Buyer Purchasing Assistance Fund to provide interest-free loans for eligible buyers. It directly affects first-time homebuyers who have never owned a home (or lost one to foreclosure), earn at or below 100% of local median income, complete homebuyer education, and occupy the home as their primary residence. Loans cover up to $35,000 or 10% of the home’s purchase price (whichever is lower) for down payments, closing costs, and other expenses, with 12.5% forgiveness after 2.5 years and full forgiveness after 10 years. Repayment is triggered if the home is sold, stops being the primary residence, or if the borrower violates loan terms. The program is administered by Wisconsin’s Housing and Economic Development Authority.

Maddy summaryAB 942 requires municipalities to mail notice to all residents in an area if a polling place is discontinued after an election. Specifically, the municipal clerk must send this notice by mail at least 30 days before the next election. The bill directly affects voters in communities that change polling locations and ensures they receive timely notification. It modifies existing election procedures to add this mandatory notice requirement after a public hearing process for discontinuing polling places. This is a procedural change focused on improving voter communication, not altering voting rights or eligibility.

Maddy summaryAB 945 reduces the residency requirement for voting in Wisconsin from 28 consecutive days to 10 days before an election. It directly affects voters who move within the state, allowing those who meet the 10-day residency at a new address to vote there instead of their previous location. Key provisions include amending statutes to reflect the shorter residency period for general voting, presidential elections (where voters with less than 10 days' residency can still vote for president only), and military voter extensions. The bill also updates registration forms and affidavits for voters meeting the revised residency threshold.

Maddy summaryAB 920 automatically registers eligible voters for state elections when they interact with the Department of Transportation (e.g., renewing a driver’s license or ID card). It requires the election commission to match DOT data (including name, address, date of birth, and verified citizenship proof) with existing voter records. If someone appears eligible but isn’t registered, they’re added to the voter list with a multilingual notice explaining how to opt out. Individuals can request exclusion from the list at any time, and the commission must verify eligibility before re-registering someone previously removed. The bill directly affects voters who use state-issued licenses or IDs but does not change voter eligibility requirements.

Maddy summaryAB 952 requires anyone living in a household with a person prohibited from possessing firearms (such as someone with certain felony convictions or domestic violence orders) to securely store their own firearms - either in a locked container, a locked location a reasonable person would consider secure, or with a trigger lock engaged. This law directly affects residents in households where one member has a legal restriction on firearm possession. Violating this storage requirement results in penalties: a first offense is a Class A misdemeanor, and repeat violations are classified as Class I felonies. The bill aims to prevent accidental or unauthorized access to firearms in homes where one resident cannot legally own them.

Maddy summaryAB 951 requires retail stores that sell firearms to securely store all firearms when the business is unattended. It mandates specific security methods, such as locking firearms in fireproof safes, using reinforced display cases with thick polycarbonate or laminated glass, securing firearms with hardened steel rods through trigger guards, storing them in windowless rooms with deadbolts, or using steel roll-down doors. These provisions apply directly to retailers engaged in the commercial sale or transfer of firearms. The law aims to prevent unauthorized access to firearms during unattended periods, with additional requirements for street-level stores like bollards or roll-down doors. The bill was introduced in January 2026 and referred to the Criminal Justice Committee.

Maddy summaryAB 864 updates the state lottery code by creating new definitions for three game types: "break open games" (pull-tab style), "instant games" (scratch-offs), and "lotto games." It adjusts vendor payments to align with these categories and establishes a performance-based compensation program for retailers, capping payments at 1% of revenue for instant and lotto games, and 2% for break open games. The bill also requires retailers to display a sign about top prize claims and allows for shorter retailer contracts. These changes clarify operational and financial arrangements for lottery vendors and retailers.