Rep. Jerry O'Connor

Maddy summaryAB 487 allows the ethics commission, elections commission, and specific joint committees to hold closed sessions to discuss information technology security issues affecting their jurisdictions. The bill requires these committees to later publish redacted summaries of their discussions, removing confidential or proprietary details. It also restricts access to sensitive IT security records, permitting disclosure only to the designated joint committees for oversight purposes. The law clarifies procedures for convening closed sessions and limits business conducted during them to only IT security matters. This creates new transparency requirements while protecting sensitive security information.

Maddy summaryAB 524 raises the legal age for purchasing, selling, or possessing cigarettes, nicotine products, tobacco products, and electronic vaping devices from 18 to 21 years old. The bill prohibits retailers, vendors, and manufacturers from selling these products to anyone under 21, with limited exceptions for parental accompaniment or specific retail settings. It requires stores to display clear signage about the age restriction and mandates training for employees handling these products. The law applies directly to businesses selling tobacco, nicotine, or vaping products across the state, with penalties including fines for violations.

Maddy summaryAJR 110 is a symbolic resolution passed by the Wisconsin Legislature condemning Russia's actions in Ukraine, specifically targeting the abduction and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia. It declares these actions violate the Genocide Convention and constitute genocide, citing Russia's systematic efforts to separate children from families, facilitate forced adoptions, and re-educate them in occupied territories. The resolution formally holds the Russian government responsible for these acts, which it states aim to destroy Ukraine's cultural identity and future generations. As a joint resolution (not a law), it has no legal effect but serves as a formal statement of condemnation.

Maddy summaryAB 550 requires food manufacturers selling packaged products in the state to include a prominent warning label on any item containing specific ingredients, such as certain artificial colors (e.g., FD&C Yellow No. 5), banned additives (like trans fats or titanium dioxide restricted in the EU), or chemicals listed in federal regulations. The label must state: "WARNING: This product contains an artificial color, chemical, or food additive that is banned in Australia, Canada, the European Union, or the United Kingdom," and meet visibility standards. Manufacturers must also post this disclosure on websites for online sales. Violations incur fines of $100-$1,000 for first offenses (or up to 6 months in jail) and higher penalties for repeat violations. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryAB 477 changes the age threshold for issuing a Missing Child Alert from under 10 years to under 12 years. It directly affects minors under 12 who are believed to be incapable of returning home without assistance due to a physical or mental condition, disability, or inability to navigate safely. The bill amends the statute to adjust the age requirement while maintaining the existing criteria for qualifying alerts. This is a technical adjustment to the alert system's eligibility rules, not a new program or policy. The change aims to expand the alert coverage to include older minors who may still require urgent assistance.

Maddy summaryAB 152 requires counties with over 250,000 residents and at least two daily English newspapers to annually invite newspaper proposals for publishing county board proceedings, notices, and advertisements. The county board directs the clerk to collect these bids at the annual meeting, formalizing a process for selecting publications. This applies only to qualifying large counties with sufficient newspaper options. The bill creates a structured bidding requirement for official county publications in specific jurisdictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public school districts to allow military recruiters access to high school common areas and school events during the school day, as mandated by federal law (10 USC 503(c)). It specifically prohibits schools from denying this access based on whether they allow college recruiters or employers, but explicitly states that classrooms during instructional time are excluded. The law applies to all public high schools and takes effect for the 2025-26 school year. It directly affects school districts, which must adjust their policies to comply.

Maddy summaryAB 210 amends Wisconsin's academic scholarship program by changing how high school seniors are selected for "academic excellence" higher education scholarships. It sets a minimum 3.800 grade point average for alternates when multiple seniors tie for top rank, requires schools with 80+ students to designate one top scholar annually, and adds rules for schools that close or merge (allowing prior scholars to retain eligibility). The bill directly affects public, private, and tribal high schools in Wisconsin with 80+ students and their graduating seniors who meet academic criteria. Key provisions clarify selection procedures, tie-breaking rules, and continuity for students at closing schools, without changing scholarship funding amounts.

Maddy summaryAB 268 allows individuals who filed complaints about election officials' conduct (complainants) to appeal decisions by the Elections Commission to local court. The bill lets complainants appeal within 30 days - regardless of whether they suffered actual harm - to the circuit court in the county where the election official works or the complainant lives. It specifically clarifies that complainants can appeal if their complaint is dismissed or they don’t get the requested relief. The bill does not pause the Commission’s original decision during the appeal unless a court orders it. This bill was recommended for passage in October 2025 but was later laid on the table and did not advance further.

Maddy summaryAB 367 exempts minor league baseball players covered by a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) from standard labor laws requiring minimum wage, overtime pay, and detailed recordkeeping. Specifically, it creates new exemptions in state labor statutes for players whose CBAs explicitly define their wages and working conditions. Employers are no longer required to track these players' hours or maintain standard payroll records. The bill applies only to players under such CBAs, not to all minor league athletes. This is a procedural change to labor law exemptions, not a new pay standard.