Rep. Jerry O'Connor

Maddy summaryAB 991 allows minors aged 16 or older to operate pizza-dough rollers in restaurants, provided specific safety features are met. The bill directly affects minor workers in food service establishments using these machines and requires employers to ensure the equipment includes enclosed gears, microswitches that stop the machine if parts are removed, and safeguards preventing fingers or clothing from getting caught. Minors may not perform setup, adjustment, repair, oiling, or cleaning of the rollers. The law aligns with federal safety standards (29 CFR 570.62) and focuses solely on this specific equipment, not broader minor employment rules.

Maddy summaryAB 965 prohibits operators of AI chatbots designed to simulate ongoing, humanlike relationships with children (under 18 in the state) from making them available without specific safety measures. The bill requires these "companion chatbots" to avoid encouraging self-harm, illegal activity, sexual content, or prioritizing a child’s feelings over safety, while excluding standard customer service tools. Violations could result in civil penalties up to $25,000 per day or private lawsuits by affected children or parents for damages. The law takes effect after January 1, 2027, with a transition period for operators unaware a user is a child.

Maddy summaryAB 993 establishes a process for automatically removing expired state rules from Wisconsin's official rulebook. It requires agencies to conduct economic impact analyses for new rules that could cost businesses, local governments, or individuals over $10 million in implementation and compliance costs over two years, potentially halting rulemaking. The bill includes special provisions for "readopting" existing rules (renewing without changes), requiring agencies to analyze costs and benefits of the original rules instead of new rule costs. This affects state agencies creating rules and businesses, local governments, and individuals impacted by regulatory changes.

Maddy summaryAB 960 requires most social media platforms operating in the state to display a clear, prominent mental health warning each time a user in the state accesses the platform. The warning must inform users about potential negative mental health effects and provide access to crisis resources like the 988 suicide hotline. It applies to platforms defined as user-generated content services (excluding search engines, email, business communication tools, and streaming services), and prohibits hiding warnings in terms of service or allowing users to disable them without specific conditions. Violations may result in fines up to $5,000 per incident, enforced by state departments.

Maddy summaryAB 701 adopts the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act to shield individuals and organizations from lawsuits targeting their speech on matters of public concern. It creates a "special motion" allowing defendants to quickly dismiss such cases within 60 days of being sued, with the court requiring the plaintiff to prove their claim has merit. The law specifically protects speech in government proceedings, political expression, or press freedoms, but excludes lawsuits by/against government entities or commercial speech related to sales. This applies to civil suits where the core issue involves public discourse, not private business disputes.

Maddy summaryAB 715 regulates "nonrecourse civil litigation advances," where companies provide cash to people with pending lawsuits in exchange for a share of settlement proceeds. It directly affects consumers (individuals with legal disputes) and companies offering these advances by setting strict limits: maximum $100,000 per advance, finance charges capped at the weekly prime rate plus 10%, and repayment must occur within 36 months. The bill requires clear contract disclosures (in bold, 12-point font) about costs, the right to cancel within 5 days, and prohibits companies from controlling lawsuits or paying referral fees to attorneys. Violations incur fines of $25-$5,000 per offense, with additional penalties for willful violations.

Maddy summaryAB 714 requires health insurers, administrators, and pharmacy benefit managers to provide large employers (those with 50+ employees) full access to their health claims data. The bill states that employers (as "plan sponsors") own this data, including detailed records of high-cost claims (exceeding $25,000 for medical, $10,000 for pharmacy), billing statements, payment histories, and rebate information. Insurers and pharmacy managers must deliver this data within 7 business days of a written request, in electronic format, and cannot sell the data without employer and individual permission. The law aims to give employers greater transparency into their health plan costs and administration.

Maddy summaryAB 752 makes it a Class H felony to use an absentee ballot drop box, U.S. mail, or commercial carrier while committing election fraud under existing law (s. 12.13). The bill directly affects individuals who attempt to fraudulently submit absentee ballots through these specific methods. Its key provision increases penalties for this type of fraud by classifying it as a felony rather than a lesser offense. The law focuses solely on the method of submission during fraudulent activity, not on the act of voting itself.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution formally recognizes December 25 as the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ for the Wisconsin Legislature. It expresses the legislature's acknowledgment of Christmas as a sacred day for Christians, referencing biblical events in its preamble. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws, alter policies, or affect any specific group or policy. The resolution serves only to affirm the legislature's symbolic recognition of the holiday's religious significance.

Maddy summaryAB 746 exempts church volunteers serving on a church safety or security team from needing a private security license while working within the church's place of worship during their volunteer duties. The bill creates a specific legal definition of "church" (requiring distinct legal existence, a congregation, and regular religious services) and limits the exemption strictly to the church's worship space. It explicitly states this exemption does not apply to schools or other properties operated by the church. The bill aims to reduce regulatory barriers for faith-based organizations using volunteer security at their primary worship locations.