Rep. Lee Snodgrass

Maddy summaryAB 528 requires the Wisconsin Group Insurance Board to conduct a cost analysis study on whether school districts should join the state's group health insurance program, either voluntarily or mandatorily. The bill appropriates $300,000 to fund this study, which will examine potential costs and savings for school districts and current health plan participants. The study must be completed within six months, after which the Group Insurance Board will submit a written report to the governor and legislature. This bill does not change current insurance participation rules but sets the stage for future decisions based on the study's findings.

Maddy summaryAB 507 amends state civil service laws to adjust veteran preference policies for state government hiring. It repeals outdated sections and revises provisions related to veteran eligibility, removing age restrictions for veterans applying for positions and clarifying how preference points are calculated and applied. Specifically, it modifies rules so veterans and their spouses receive preference points without age limits, and updates procedures for adding qualified veterans to certification lists after initial hiring. These changes directly affect veterans seeking state civil service jobs and state hiring boards managing employment eligibility. The bill updates statutory language to align with current veteran preference practices under sections like 230.16 (7).

Maddy summaryAB 325 modifies Wisconsin's firearm transfer rules to require most sales or transfers to go through a licensed firearms dealer, with exceptions for direct family gifts, bequests, or inheritances (if the recipient is at least 18 and not prohibited from owning firearms). It adds a $10 fee for background checks conducted by dealers and mandates new forms requiring transferees to confirm they aren’t transferring to prohibited individuals. Violating these rules carries a misdemeanor penalty of fines ($500-$10,000) or up to 9 months in jail, plus a 2-year firearm possession ban. The bill directly affects gun sellers, buyers, and family members transferring firearms without a dealer.

Maddy summaryAB 569 regulates the sale and resale of event tickets by requiring sellers and resellers to clearly disclose all costs (including fees and taxes) upfront. It bans resellers from selling "speculative" tickets (not in their possession) and restricts presales through fan clubs or early access programs. The bill also mandates refunds within 10 days for canceled events, counterfeit tickets, or tickets that don't match descriptions, and prohibits deceptive marketing using artists' or venues' names without permission. These rules apply directly to ticket sellers, secondary marketplaces, and resellers, aiming to increase transparency and prevent deceptive practices.

Maddy summaryAB 423 establishes an annual sales tax holiday for qualifying back-to-school items, exempting them from state sales tax during a designated period. The bill defines "eligible property" to include clothing (excluding certain accessories), school supplies (like notebooks and pencils), art supplies, school computer supplies, and instructional materials (such as textbooks), but excludes items like protective gear or sport equipment. It creates a reimbursement mechanism requiring the state to fund counties and municipalities for lost sales tax revenue during the holiday. The policy directly affects consumers purchasing these items and retailers selling them during the tax-free period.

Maddy summaryAB 539 allows 16- and 17-year-olds to preregister to vote in the state. This preregistration becomes active when they turn 18, enabling them to vote in future elections without needing to re-register. The bill amends voter registration rules to require that preregistered 16-17 year olds only appear on voter lists once they reach age 18 on election day. It does not permit their names to appear on election lists before they turn 18.

Maddy summaryAB 529 requires school boards to provide eligible high school students with voter registration forms, eligibility information, and nonpartisan materials explaining voting importance and civic roles. It directly affects high school students who become eligible to register to vote (typically 16-18 year olds in most states). The bill mandates schools to distribute these resources as part of student enrollment or transition processes, ensuring access to nonpartisan voting information. It creates a new statute (6.31) specifying these requirements without altering voting eligibility rules. The measure aims to streamline voter registration access for young adults through educational institutions.

Maddy summaryAB 506 would change primary election rules to allow voters to select candidates from multiple political parties in a single primary election. Currently, voters are restricted to choosing candidates only from one party's ballot in a primary; this bill removes that restriction. The key change amends voting machine rules (Section 5.37(4)) to permit voters to "secretly select the party" for which they wish to vote while still being able to choose candidates across different parties. This directly affects voters in partisan primaries who want to cross party lines. The bill does not alter party registration or general election rules.

Maddy summaryAB 536 requires election officials to complete one-hour accessibility training sessions focused on meeting voter accessibility requirements under sections 5.25(4) and 6.82. Specifically, chief inspectors must attend this training under new section 7.31(6), while municipal clerks, inspectors, special deputies, and registration officials must complete it under new section 7.315(5). All training must be provided before the 2027 spring election. The bill directly affects local election staff responsible for polling place operations and voter assistance.

Maddy summaryAB 535 requires all polling places to be accessible to voters with disabilities by mandating election workers to use a standardized accessibility checklist on election day to identify and immediately report barriers. It also requires the election commission to submit annual reports (by June 30 in odd years) on voting impediments faced by elderly and disabled voters, consulting with relevant advocacy groups. Additionally, the bill creates uniform signage guidelines to notify disabled voters about ballot assistance options at polling place entrances. These changes apply to all polling places and take effect before the 2027 spring election.