Rep. Jerry O'Connor

Maddy summaryAJR 138 designates February 2026 as "Career and Technical Education Month" in Wisconsin to raise awareness about the value of these programs. It does not create new laws or funding but symbolically recognizes how career and technical education prepares students for jobs, citing that 92% of 2024 Wisconsin Technical College graduates were employed within six months and earned median salaries of $55,636 (for certificates) or $60,030 (for associate degrees). The resolution aims to encourage state residents to learn about CTE opportunities and their role in supporting Wisconsin's workforce. This is a ceremonial designation, not a policy change.

Maddy summaryAJR 139 is a symbolic resolution (not a law) reaffirming Wisconsin’s longstanding sister-state relationship with Taiwan, marking its 40th anniversary in 2026. It supports the U.S. Taiwan Relations Act, encourages Wisconsin to explore establishing a representative office in Taiwan to boost trade and cultural exchanges, and backs efforts to advance a U.S.-Taiwan Bilateral Trade Agreement. The resolution highlights Wisconsin’s economic ties with Taiwan, including $380 million in exports to Taiwan in 2023. It does not create new legal obligations but formally expresses legislative support for strengthening Wisconsin-Taiwan relations.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution commemorates the 250th anniversary of the 1776 Boston siege victory (where British forces withdrew on Saint Patrick's Day) and recognizes Irish Americans' contributions to the Revolutionary War. It specifically highlights figures like General John Sullivan (son of Irish immigrants), eight Irish American Declaration of Independence signatories, and historical connections such as John Dunlap’s printing of the Declaration. The resolution directs the legislature to formally acknowledge these events and send copies to Irish officials, including Senator Mark Daly and the American Irish State Legislators Caucus. As a commemorative resolution, it has no legal effect or direct impact on policy or constituents.

Maddy summaryAB 1003 modifies Wisconsin law regarding investigations into "immoral conduct" by licensees (such as educators) under the Department of Public Instruction (DPI). It requires DPI to continue an investigation until a licensee permanently surrenders their license and waives appeal rights, and mandates DPI to publicly post the licensee’s name, surrender status, and investigation reason on its website. The bill also requires DPI to provide investigation records within 14 days for open records requests (bypassing standard exemptions) and prohibits agreements that suppress or hide information about confirmed immoral conduct findings. This directly affects licensed professionals under DPI investigation and changes how DPI handles confidentiality, record access, and public transparency during such cases.

Maddy summaryAJR 140 is a ceremonial joint resolution celebrating Wisconsin athletes competing in the 2026 Olympic Winter Games and Paralympic Winter Games in Italy. It formally recognizes specific Wisconsin athletes across sports like cross-country skiing, biathlon, wheelchair curling, sled hockey, and speedskating, highlighting their connections to Wisconsin communities. The resolution has no policy impact or funding provisions - it simply asks the Wisconsin Legislature to "celebrate" these athletes and "root for their success" as a symbolic gesture. This is purely a commemorative measure with no concrete legislative effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for individuals convicted of felony crimes targeting church occupants with intent to terrorize or intimidate them. It mandates a minimum one-year prison sentence (with no probation allowed) for such offenses and requires prosecutors to seek court approval before dismissing or amending charges. Additionally, it prohibits deferred prosecution programs for these cases and directs courts to verify the specific intent element during trials. The law applies to any felony where the defendant intended to terrorize two or more people inside a church.

Maddy summaryAB 1053 ensures that children in out-of-home care (like foster care) retain control over their state or federal benefits. It requires child welfare departments to hold these benefits in protected accounts that won’t reduce other benefits, provide regular financial reports to the child and their legal representatives, and return any remaining funds when the child leaves care. The bill explicitly prohibits using a child’s benefits to cover their care costs. This policy change directly affects children in state custody and their legal representatives, focusing on financial accountability and preserving benefits for the child’s future.

Maddy summaryAB 1081 adjusts payment rates for opioid treatment programs using medication-based care to match Medicare rates for comparable services starting in 2027. It also sets new staffing requirements, including a medical director with addiction medicine experience who must be present 40% of dosing time (reduced to 20% for the first 60 days of operation), and mandates one counselor for every 55 enrolled patients. The bill changes admission rules for minors, requiring documented failed detox attempts and written parental consent, while adding requirements for initial physical exams and Hepatitis/HIV testing with patient consent. These provisions directly affect all Wisconsin opioid treatment programs providing medication-assisted therapy.

Maddy summaryAB 1062 prohibits former members of the Public Service Commission from working for 36 months with investor-owned public utilities or transmission companies in roles involving policy-making, executive decisions, operations management, or government relations. It directly affects former commissioners who seek employment in these specific high-level positions within utility companies. The law applies retroactively to those who left the Commission within the 12 months before the bill's effective date. This restriction aims to prevent potential conflicts of interest by limiting immediate post-Commission employment in regulated utility sectors.

Maddy summaryAB 1079 creates a state-funded grant program to help Wisconsin residents attend private nonprofit colleges. It provides up to $2.5 million annually for eligible students enrolled full-time at accredited private colleges in Wisconsin, with income limits under $60,000 and requiring FAFSA completion without a federal Pell Grant. Grants cover up to 10 semesters of undergraduate study, funded through the state budget. The program targets students who don’t qualify for federal aid but meet residency and financial criteria.