Rep. Jerry O'Connor

Maddy summaryAB 458 modifies standards for admitting expert witness testimony in court cases. It directly affects courts, lawyers, and parties involved in legal disputes where expert opinions are used, such as medical malpractice or accident investigations. The bill establishes new criteria for determining whether an expert's qualifications and methodology meet legal standards before testimony is allowed. This would require courts to evaluate the reliability and relevance of expert evidence more rigorously during pretrial proceedings. The bill is currently pending in the Judiciary Committee after its introduction and public hearing.

Maddy summaryAB 245 modifies the state's sales and use tax exemption for businesses operating qualified data centers. It defines a "qualified data center" as buildings (or connected buildings) owned, leased, or operated by a single business entity, designed to house server computers for processing, storing, or managing data. The bill adds provisions allowing data centers to offer rental space, utilities, and infrastructure services to tenants, while explicitly excluding cryptocurrency-related facilities from the tax exemption. This directly affects data center operators and their tenants by clarifying eligibility for tax benefits and expanding allowable services.

Maddy summaryAB 615 requires all public school districts and independent charter schools (K-8) to implement math screening tests three times yearly to identify students at-risk of not meeting grade-level math standards. Schools must then provide "quality math tutoring" (aligned with classroom instruction, offered 3 days weekly or 50 hours annually by state-approved providers) and develop personalized math plans for at-risk students within 30 days of identification. The bill also mandates schools with low 4th-grade math proficiency to create evidence-based achievement plans by 2026, including professional development for teachers. This law directly affects K-8 students identified as needing math support and schools serving those students.

Maddy summaryAB 200 creates a refund program for retail fuel sellers (like gas stations) who experience fuel loss from evaporation or shrinkage. It allows retailers to claim a 0.5% refund on the motor vehicle fuel tax they paid when purchasing fuel, based on their tax-paid amount. Retailers must submit detailed invoices showing the tax amount separately, and file claims within 12 months of purchase. The refund applies to all motor vehicle fuels, including diesel, and requires suppliers to provide specific purchase documentation.

Maddy summaryAB 51 clarifies that interscholastic athletic associations (nonprofits coordinating high school sports) may choose to follow public records and open meetings laws. If they elect to be governed by these laws, they can withhold records about individual referees and student participants. The bill also requires school districts to join such associations only if the association has elected to follow these public records rules. This creates a clear framework for how athletic associations handle transparency while maintaining operational flexibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require Wisconsin state highway maps to specifically identify the Brooklyn Area Veterans Memorial in Brooklyn, Green County. It creates a new statutory reference (84.02 (5) (d) 2. r.) to ensure the memorial's location appears on official state highway maps. The bill directly affects state transportation mapping practices but does not alter veterans' benefits, funding, or other policies. This is a procedural change to improve map accuracy for the memorial's location.

Maddy summaryAB 526 modifies state contracting rules for airport improvements to align with federal requirements when federal funds are involved. It allows the state transportation secretary to use "construction manager at risk" contracts for qualified airport projects (like building or upgrading structures), where the contractor guarantees a maximum price and selection isn't based solely on lowest bid. This applies when projects are partially or fully funded by federal money, overriding standard state procurement rules for those specific cases. The bill directly affects state agencies, municipalities operating airports, and contractors bidding on federal-funded airport construction or improvement projects.

Maddy summaryAB 564 updates Wisconsin law to allow chiropractors to perform health examinations required for school employees (like teachers and staff). The bill amends statute 118.25(1)(a) by explicitly adding "chiropractor" to the list of licensed professionals authorized to conduct these exams, alongside physicians, naturopathic doctors, and physician assistants. This change directly affects school employees needing these exams and chiropractors who can now legally provide them. The law does not alter exam requirements or costs but expands who may perform the exams. The bill was introduced in October 2025 and referred to the Health Committee for review.

Maddy summaryAB 599 simplifies absentee ballot access in Wisconsin by allowing voters to automatically receive absentee ballots for all elections after one application, eliminating the need to reapply annually. It removes the "indefinitely confined" voter status (previously requiring annual reapplication for voters confined in facilities) and establishes a new system where municipal clerks retain voter ID electronically until the voter opts out or ID expires. Voters must submit ID verification once, and clerks must notify them if ID expires. The bill also adds penalties for non-compliance with ID requirements, though specifics are not detailed in the provided text. This affects all Wisconsin voters who choose automatic absentee ballot delivery.

Maddy summaryAB 584 creates a property tax exemption for prefabricated recreational structures (like temporary RVs or camping trailers) used primarily for recreation, camping, or seasonal living when located in licensed campgrounds on land not owned by the structure's owner. This exemption applies to property tax assessments starting January 1, 2026, and specifically excludes these structures from taxation under the new definition in statute 70.11(49). Local governments that would have collected taxes on these structures will be reimbursed by the state department of administration for the 2025 assessment year, with payments made annually by July 1. The bill directly affects owners of such recreational structures and local taxing jurisdictions that manage campground properties.