Rep. Gus Gustafson

Maddy summaryAJR 133 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing the legislature to suspend any state agency rule through a joint resolution approved by a majority of all elected members in both houses. If enacted, the legislature could immediately halt the enforcement of agency rules (for a set period or indefinitely) without requiring governor approval or following standard lawmaking procedures. The suspension would make the rule unenforceable during the suspension period, shifting authority from agencies to the legislature regarding rule implementation. This change would require voter approval after legislative passage, as it modifies the state constitution.

Maddy summaryAJR 10 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would amend Article I, Section 18 to prohibit state or local governments from closing places of worship or banning gatherings there during a state of emergency (including public health emergencies). If approved by voters, this change would directly affect religious congregations and local officials responsible for emergency orders. The amendment would require that places of worship be treated equally with other businesses during emergencies, preventing restrictions specifically targeting them. This is a voter-approved constitutional change, not a law, and is currently awaiting submission to the November 2026 ballot.

Maddy summaryAB 1005 requires University of Wisconsin System institutions to base undergraduate admission decisions "predominantly" on standardized test scores like the ACT or SAT, rather than other factors. It applies to all applicants except those admitted through the guaranteed admission program. The bill amends statutes to mandate that objective test performance become the primary factor in admission decisions, effective for the 2027-28 academic year. This change directly affects prospective undergraduate students applying to UW System campuses.

Maddy summaryAB 1027 requires the state's Department of Health Services to compile and share specific data about the food stamp program (SNAP) with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) within six months of the bill's effective date. The data must cover individuals who received, are receiving, or applied for benefits under SNAP since January 1, 2020, as specified in a July 2025 USDA letter implementing a federal executive order. This law directly affects the state agency responsible for administering SNAP, mandating a formal data-sharing process with federal authorities. The bill does not change eligibility or benefits but establishes a new administrative requirement for state-federal data coordination.

Maddy summaryAB 955 limits state agencies' ability to interpret laws by requiring explicit statutory permission before creating rules that interpret statutes they enforce. It adds a new section (227.11(1m)) stating agencies cannot interpret laws without specific legislative authorization. The bill also repeals existing language that allowed broader agency interpretation authority and reorganizes related sections. This directly affects all state agencies that develop rules for enforcing or administering laws, ensuring they cannot interpret statutes without clear prior legislative permission. The change focuses on clarifying rule-making boundaries, not altering policy outcomes.

Maddy summaryAB 100 requires public and participating private schools to designate athletic teams and sports as "males" or "females" based solely on the sex assigned at birth (as recorded on a birth certificate). It prohibits students assigned male at birth from participating on female-designated teams or using female-designated locker rooms. The bill allows students denied participation or harmed by violations to sue for relief, and gives schools legal recourse if they face penalties for following the policy. This directly affects student athletes in school sports programs and defines participation eligibility based on biological sex at birth.

Maddy summaryAB 102 requires University of Wisconsin and technical college athletic programs to designate intercollegiate and club sports teams exclusively for "males" or "females" based on birth sex as recorded on a student's birth certificate. It prohibits students assigned male at birth from participating on teams designated for females or using female-designated locker rooms. The bill creates legal remedies for female students denied participation or harmed by violations, and for institutions facing penalties for compliance. It applies to all such teams starting in the first semester after the law takes effect, overriding existing anti-discrimination protections for these specific athletic contexts.

Maddy summaryAB 241 amends Wisconsin statute 106.015(1) to prohibit requiring more than one journeyworker for every two apprentices in apprenticeship programs or contracts. This directly affects apprenticeship programs, particularly those governed by collective bargaining agreements, by limiting the minimum journeyworker-to-apprentice ratio. The bill prevents state agencies from enforcing or authorizing stricter ratios (e.g., requiring two journeyworkers per apprentice) through rules, program approvals, or contracts. It takes effect for collective bargaining agreements when they expire or are modified, renewed, or extended. The legislation aims to standardize ratio requirements across apprenticeship programs statewide.

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 415 restricts state and local government employees from using electronic devices owned by their agencies to access social media, apps, or AI tools owned by entities located in "foreign countries of concern" (as defined by federal regulations). The bill directly affects government employees and contractors who use official devices for non-law enforcement work, banning access to specific foreign-owned technology. Exceptions allow written waivers from the secretary of administration for limited job-related purposes. This policy change aims to limit government use of technology linked to designated foreign adversaries, with no impact on law enforcement activities. The bill does not create new funding or require agency budget changes.