Maddy summaryAssembly Joint Resolution 29 celebrates May 7, 2025, as Skilled Trades Day in Wisconsin. This resolution acknowledges the importance of skilled trades workers and the state's apprenticeship programs within the construction industry.
Maddy summaryAssembly Joint Resolution 4 (AJR 4) is a commemorative resolution by the Wisconsin Legislature. It honors the life and public service of Justice David T. Prosser Jr., recognizing his over 40 years of service in all three branches of state government, including 18 years in the Wisconsin Legislature and 18 years on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The resolution also extends condolences to his family and friends.
Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic assembly resolution (not a law) that honors Wisconsin women athletes' achievements. It specifically recognizes the accomplishments of athletes like the Wisconsin women's ice hockey team, Olympic medalists (e.g., Bonnie Blair, Beth Heiden), and others through formal acknowledgment in the Wisconsin Assembly. The resolution has no legal effect, funding requirements, or policy changes - it solely serves to publicly commend these athletes' contributions. It directly affects no individuals or groups beyond the symbolic recognition.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates the monarch butterfly as the official state butterfly of Wisconsin. It achieves this by adding a new section to the state statutes that explicitly names the monarch in this role and updating the Wisconsin Blue Book to include butterflies alongside other official state symbols. While the legislation was introduced in the 2024 session, it did not pass into law during that legislative cycle.
Maddy summaryThis bill would have modified Wisconsin's farmland preservation tax credit rules to exclude land used for non-accessory photovoltaic solar energy systems from eligibility. Specifically, it aimed to prevent landowners from receiving tax credits for acres occupied by solar installations that are not considered secondary uses of the property. The legislation sought to apply these changes to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2023. Although the bill passed the legislature, it was vetoed by the Governor and did not become law.
Maddy summaryThis bill would have required public schools and private schools in Wisconsin to label their athletic teams and sports as male, female, or mixed-sex based on the sex assigned at birth. It prohibited students from participating in sports designated for the opposite sex and mandated written notice to students and parents if a team's designation changed. The legislation also established legal rights for female students to sue schools for damages if they were denied participation or faced retaliation for reporting violations. Although the bill passed the legislature, the governor vetoed it, and the state legislature did not override that veto.
Maddy summaryThis bill would have exempted private individuals who sell their own cars from legal liability for accidents or violations that occur after the buyer takes possession of the vehicle. Under the proposed rules, a seller would be protected from civil and criminal claims if they properly signed over the title and both parties intended to transfer ownership, even if the official registration paperwork was not yet completed. The exemption specifically applies to private sales and excludes licensed dealers or wholesalers, while still holding sellers accountable if death or injury resulted from willful or reckless behavior. Although the legislation was passed by the legislature, it was vetoed by the Governor and did not become law.
Maddy summaryThis Wisconsin bill modifies the state's unemployment insurance law to improve how the department handles job search verification and fraud prevention. It allows employers to report when a job seeker declines offers, fails to attend interviews, or cannot perform available work, requiring the department to investigate these reports to determine eligibility. The legislation also establishes a legal presumption that anyone using a claimant's security credentials is acting on their behalf, while making the claimant responsible for protecting their login information and liable for benefits paid to unauthorized users. Additionally, the bill mandates that the department submit an annual report to the legislature detailing its efforts to detect and prosecute unemployment insurance fraud.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the Wisconsin married persons credit by increasing the maximum benefit amount for spouses with lower earned income. Specifically, it raises the credit limit from $480 to $870 for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2023. The change applies to married couples filing joint state tax returns where one spouse has earned income. The legislation was ultimately vetoed by the Governor and did not become law.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes specific rules for election observers in Wisconsin, ensuring they have uniform and non-discriminatory access to all stages of the election process, including voting, tabulation, and recounts. It mandates that officials designate observation areas within a set distance from voter registration and name announcement tables to allow clear visibility of public election activities. The legislation also requires that all recount steps be conducted publicly and grants candidates and their representatives the right to view and identify ballots and materials during these proceedings. Additionally, it sets penalties for election officials who fail to provide proper access or violate the public nature of recounts, including potential jail time or fines.
