Rep. Jerry O'Connor

Maddy summaryAB 555 creates a new Class H felony charge for intentionally disarming correctional officers while they are on duty. It specifically targets individuals who take dangerous weapons, devices (as defined in §941.26), or official duty items like radios, keys, or other tools from correctional officers without consent. The law applies when these items are being carried by the officer or within their immediate presence. This bill directly affects correctional officers working in state facilities and establishes criminal penalties for interference with their safety equipment during official duties.

Maddy summaryAB 275 modifies state law to require government agencies to pay legal fees and costs when a court rules that an administrative rule is invalid (e.g., because it violates the constitution or was improperly created). It specifically directs that these costs - awarded to successful challengers - be paid from designated state funds under statutes 20.865(1)(a), (g), or (q). The bill applies to challenges involving agency rules or guidance documents and ensures fees are limited to the scope of the rule validity challenge. This change affects state agencies (who must cover costs) and individuals or groups challenging agency rules (who can recover legal expenses).

Maddy summaryAB 276 sets time limits for state agencies' "statements of scope" when creating administrative rules. It requires permanent rule statements to expire after 30 months and emergency rule statements after 6 months, preventing agencies from using expired statements to propose new rules. The bill also mandates separate statements for concurrent emergency and permanent rules and limits agencies to one rule per statement. These changes directly affect state agencies developing regulations and ensure legislative review occurs within defined timeframes. The bill does not alter rule content but streamlines the process for agency rulemaking and legislative oversight.

Maddy summaryAB 274 establishes a 7-year expiration cycle for Wisconsin administrative rules, requiring state agencies to formally request "readoption" before rules expire. It directly affects state agencies that create and maintain administrative rules, mandating they submit detailed notices to the legislature with specific information about each rule's purpose, legal basis, and compliance status. Key provisions include new requirements for readoption notices (including statements on rule compliance), a process for legislative committees to review these notices, and a schedule for expiring rules that were in effect before 2025. The bill also creates a rules procedures manual to guide agencies on drafting and legislative review. These changes streamline rule expiration and renewal while increasing transparency for lawmakers.

Maddy summaryAB 277 requires state agencies to provide detailed cost analyses for new rules that may affect businesses, local governments, or individuals. Agencies must quantify all expected implementation and compliance costs (and potential savings) over a two-year period, broken down by affected groups, and report this as a single net dollar figure. If projected costs exceed $10 million, the rulemaking process must pause until costs are reduced or offset. The bill also establishes rules for funding independent cost analyses when agency estimates vary significantly and mandates revised analyses after rule modifications. This bill aims to increase transparency around financial impacts of new regulations before they are finalized.

Maddy summaryAB 687 requires the state wildlife department to establish a statewide wolf population goal when wolves are not protected under federal or state endangered species laws. This law directly affects the department, hunters, and trappers by mandating a management plan that sets a specific population target. The key provision allows the department to regulate wolf hunting and trapping through licensing limits - such as restricting the number of hunters, trappers, or wolves taken - based on the established population goal. The bill does not change current protections but creates a framework for future management if wolves are removed from endangered lists.

Maddy summaryAB 681 allows law enforcement officers to use oral fluid tests (alongside breath tests) during initial roadside screening when they suspect a driver is impaired by alcohol, drugs, or controlled substances. This applies to drivers suspected of violating DUI laws (e.g., operating under the influence or while impaired). The test results help officers decide whether to arrest the driver or request further chemical testing, but cannot be used as evidence in court except to prove probable cause for an arrest. Refusing this preliminary test carries no penalty, unlike refusing a formal chemical test later.

Maddy summaryAB 503 updates the legal definition of "hemp" in state law to clarify regulatory boundaries. It establishes a 0.3% THC limit (or up to 1% under federal law) for hemp plants, explicitly excludes FDA-approved drugs, and creates new categories like "hemp-derived cannabinoid products" with restrictions on synthetic cannabinoids. The bill directly affects hemp farmers (who must meet THC testing standards), manufacturers of hemp products (who must comply with new labeling rules), and state agencies like the Department of Agriculture. Key mechanisms include requiring standardized THC testing methods and defining industrial hemp uses (e.g., stalk fiber, seed oil) separate from psychoactive products.

Maddy summaryAB 514 authorizes new circuit court branches and additional judicial staff in Kenosha, Brown, and Menominee/Shawano counties to address growing caseloads. Specifically, it adds a ninth branch in Kenosha County (effective August 2028), a ninth branch in Brown County (effective August 2027) and a tenth branch (effective August 2028), and a third branch in Menominee/Shawano Counties (effective August 2027). The bill also authorizes new circuit judge and court reporter positions for these branches, plus 30.5 additional assistant district attorney positions across 24 counties. These changes are funded through existing state court appropriations and will take effect on the specified dates.

Maddy summaryAB 571 creates a statewide Parkinson’s disease registry to collect and track health data on Parkinson’s disease and related conditions (like multiple system atrophy). Health care providers must report anonymized patient data - including diagnosis, treatment, outcomes, and demographics - to the University of Wisconsin-Madison for storage and analysis. The registry will generate annual public reports on disease incidence, prevalence, and trends via a dedicated website, with strict privacy safeguards (e.g., coded data, IRB-approved research access). This affects health care facilities, providers, and patients, but does not impose new costs or treatment requirements.