Maddy summaryAB 377 establishes English as the official language of the state and requires all state agencies and local governmental units (like cities, counties, and school districts) to conduct official communications in English. It allows these entities to use artificial intelligence or machine translation tools instead of hiring human interpreters for individuals with language barriers, while still requiring interpreters in specific cases like health/safety emergencies or legal proceedings. The bill permits limited exceptions for non-English communication (e.g., for teaching languages, protecting criminal defendants' rights, or complying with federal law), but prohibits restricting private language use for non-governmental purposes. This law directly affects government operations and individuals seeking services who need language assistance.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryAB 417 creates a process for testing criminal defendants for certain communicable diseases (like HIV or sexually transmitted infections) without their consent in specific cases. It applies when defendants are charged with crimes involving bodily fluids (such as blood, semen, or saliva) that could transmit disease to victims, public safety workers, prosecutors, or correctional staff. The district attorney must seek a court order for testing, but can request an emergency order without a hearing if delaying testing risks immediate harm to those workers. Test results cannot reveal the defendant's identity, cannot be used in court, and cannot be added to the defendant's permanent medical records.
Maddy summaryAB 640 sets a maximum age of 75 for new appointments or elections to the state supreme court or trial court judgeships. It prohibits anyone turning 75 or older from being appointed or elected to these positions on or after their 75th birthday. The bill excludes temporary reserve judges appointed under separate statutes. This directly affects future judicial candidates and appointments, not current judges.
Maddy summaryAB 603 requires tax assessors to provide property owners with written notice at least seven days before entering their real property for assessment purposes. This bill directly affects residential and commercial property owners by giving them advance written notification of an assessor's planned visit. The key provision mandates that the taxation district must deliver this written notice in advance, ensuring property owners are informed of the assessment activity before it occurs. The bill creates a new statutory requirement (70.05 (4j)) to formalize this notice period.
Maddy summaryAJR 107 is a symbolic joint resolution designating November 2025 as "Veteran Mental Health and Suicide Awareness Month" in Wisconsin. It directly affects Wisconsin veterans by raising public awareness of their elevated mental health challenges and suicide rates, citing that 134 veterans died by suicide in Wisconsin in 2023 (15% of all adult suicides despite veterans comprising only 5% of the adult population). The resolution does not create new programs or funding but aims to highlight existing resources like the Wisconsin Veterans Crisis Line and honor veterans' service. It was introduced by multiple legislators and cosponsored by numerous senators, reflecting legislative recognition of veteran mental health as a priority.
Maddy summaryAB 501 establishes new standards for free speech and academic freedom at University of Wisconsin System institutions and technical colleges. It protects students, faculty, staff, and graduate assistants from campus restrictions on First Amendment-protected speech, including in virtual spaces (except during virtual classroom instruction). Institutions may only limit speech that violates laws, constitutes threats/harassment, or materially disrupts operations, and must use content-neutral time/place/manner rules for public forums. The bill also creates legal grounds for individuals to sue the Board of Regents or technical college boards if these protections are violated.
Maddy summaryAB 487 allows the ethics commission, elections commission, and specific joint committees to hold closed sessions to discuss information technology security issues affecting their jurisdictions. The bill requires these committees to later publish redacted summaries of their discussions, removing confidential or proprietary details. It also restricts access to sensitive IT security records, permitting disclosure only to the designated joint committees for oversight purposes. The law clarifies procedures for convening closed sessions and limits business conducted during them to only IT security matters. This creates new transparency requirements while protecting sensitive security information.
Maddy summaryAB 420 requires all teacher preparatory programs in the state to include student teaching consisting of full days for a full semester (or equivalent), matching the cooperating school's schedule. It directly affects teacher training programs and applicants seeking teaching licenses, including those from out-of-state programs that must meet this same student teaching standard. The bill allows limited exceptions for calendar differences between institutions and schools, and specifies that the state superintendent must accept U.S. Department of Education-recognized accreditations for program approval. The bill was referred to the Education Committee in November 2025 but was laid on the table without further action.
Maddy summaryAB 252 requires Wisconsin child welfare agencies to notify the U.S. Department of Defense within 24 hours if they investigate child abuse or neglect involving a child or unborn child whose parent is in the military (active duty, reserves, or Wisconsin National Guard). This affects military-connected families in Wisconsin and child welfare agencies. The law limits the notice to only the child's or expectant mother's name, address, and the fact that an investigation has started - no additional details. It also reinforces confidentiality for all related reports and records, restricting disclosure to authorized personnel only.
Maddy summaryAJR 110 is a symbolic resolution passed by the Wisconsin Legislature condemning Russia's actions in Ukraine, specifically targeting the abduction and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia. It declares these actions violate the Genocide Convention and constitute genocide, citing Russia's systematic efforts to separate children from families, facilitate forced adoptions, and re-educate them in occupied territories. The resolution formally holds the Russian government responsible for these acts, which it states aim to destroy Ukraine's cultural identity and future generations. As a joint resolution (not a law), it has no legal effect but serves as a formal statement of condemnation.