Rep. Dave Murphy

Maddy summaryThis Wisconsin bill proposes changes to the state's unemployment insurance law, specifically requiring the Joint Committee on Finance to approve certain federally authorized benefits before they are implemented. The legislation would mandate that the governor notify the committee whenever federal actions increase weekly benefit rates, total benefit amounts, or add new stipends based on unemployment eligibility. Additionally, it restricts the transfer of block grant funds between different programs unless the Joint Committee on Finance explicitly approves the move. Although the bill was amended and placed on the calendar, it ultimately failed to pass the legislature in 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Wisconsin laws to allow prosecutors to dismiss or amend certain criminal charges and adjust deferred prosecution agreements for specific offenses. It directly affects prosecutors, courts, and defendants charged with crimes such as domestic abuse, stalking, and various violent felonies. The key provisions require court approval before dismissing these charges to ensure public safety interests are met and mandate that deferred prosecution programs include community service work for public or nonprofit agencies. Additionally, the bill updates how domestic abuse surcharges are collected and directed toward services for abuse victims.

Maddy summaryThis Wisconsin bill prohibits health care providers from performing gender-affirming surgeries, administering puberty-blocking drugs, or prescribing high-dose hormones to minors under 18. The law specifically bans procedures intended to change a minor's body to match a sex different from their biological sex, with exceptions only for treating medically verifiable genetic disorders or life-threatening conditions. If a provider violates these rules, the state medical board must investigate and can revoke their license without the possibility of reinstatement. Additionally, the bill prevents courts from issuing injunctions to stop the enforcement of these medical restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits state agencies and local governments in Wisconsin from restricting the sale or use of any device based on the energy source it uses, such as electricity or fossil fuels. The law defines a device as powered by an energy source if that source is necessary for any significant function of the device. Although the bill was passed by the legislature, it was vetoed by the Governor and ultimately failed to become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill would have allowed students at Wisconsin public colleges and universities to request a waiver from mandatory immunization requirements based on health, religious, or personal conviction reasons. Under the proposed law, institutions could not require students to explain or justify their objection to vaccines, and schools receiving public funds would have to inform applicants of their right to request such a waiver. Although the legislation was passed by the legislature, the Governor vetoed it, preventing it from becoming law.

Maddy summaryThis bill would have clarified the legal status of individuals participating in clinical research trials by explicitly stating that they are not employees of the organizations conducting the research. The legislation aimed to exempt these participants from being classified as employees for the purposes of employment-related laws, even if they receive payment, stipends, or compensation for their involvement. By defining these participants separately from employees, the bill sought to ensure that their involvement in trials does not trigger standard employment protections or liabilities. Although the bill passed the legislature, it was vetoed by the Governor and ultimately failed to become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposed changes to how Wisconsin fills vacancies in specific executive branch offices, including the secretary of state, treasurer, attorney general, and state superintendent. Under the new rules, the governor would be allowed to appoint a permanent replacement for these positions if a vacancy occurs on or after January 1 of an election year, rather than only using a temporary provisional appointment. The appointed official would serve the remainder of the term with the advice and consent of the Senate, but the bill explicitly prohibited the governor from using a provisional appointee for these roles. Although the legislation was passed by the legislature, it was vetoed by the Governor and did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis Wisconsin bill updates election procedures to address absentee ballot handling and fraud prevention. It requires absentee ballot certificates to include specific elector information and mandates that ballots be placed in unsealed envelopes with the clerk's details printed on them. The legislation also allows employees of residential care facilities to serve as personal care voting assistants during public health emergencies. Additionally, it clarifies rules for appointing election officials and establishes penalties for election fraud.

Maddy summaryThis Wisconsin bill expands the state tax deduction for retirement income, allowing more people to exclude certain pension and savings withdrawals from their taxable income. It specifically increases the annual deduction limit and adds new categories of eligible payments, including those from the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Public Health Service. The legislation also clarifies the definition of disability for individuals under 65 who receive disability payments from non-retirement plans. Although the bill passed the legislature, the Governor vetoed it, and the state legislature did not override that veto, meaning the proposed changes did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill, which did not become law, would have prohibited state and local governments in Wisconsin from restricting the use or sale of motor vehicles based on their power source, such as whether they run on electricity or gasoline. The legislation aimed to prevent officials from banning electric vehicles or favoring specific fuel types in public policies, though it allowed agencies to set their own rules for purchasing vehicles for official government use. By defining "motor vehicle" broadly, the bill sought to ensure that no governmental entity could discriminate against vehicles powered by different energy sources in general regulations.