Rep. Jerry O'Connor

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits state agencies and local governments in Wisconsin from restricting the sale or use of any device based on the energy source it uses, such as electricity or fossil fuels. The law defines a device as powered by an energy source if that source is necessary for any significant function of the device. Although the bill was passed by the legislature, it was vetoed by the Governor and ultimately failed to become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill would have allowed students at Wisconsin public colleges and universities to request a waiver from mandatory immunization requirements based on health, religious, or personal conviction reasons. Under the proposed law, institutions could not require students to explain or justify their objection to vaccines, and schools receiving public funds would have to inform applicants of their right to request such a waiver. Although the legislation was passed by the legislature, the Governor vetoed it, preventing it from becoming law.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposed changes to how Wisconsin fills vacancies in specific executive branch offices, including the secretary of state, treasurer, attorney general, and state superintendent. Under the new rules, the governor would be allowed to appoint a permanent replacement for these positions if a vacancy occurs on or after January 1 of an election year, rather than only using a temporary provisional appointment. The appointed official would serve the remainder of the term with the advice and consent of the Senate, but the bill explicitly prohibited the governor from using a provisional appointee for these roles. Although the legislation was passed by the legislature, it was vetoed by the Governor and did not become law.

Maddy summaryAB 957 was a Wisconsin bill that sought to prevent local governments from passing stricter animal welfare rules on farms located in agricultural zones. The legislation would have barred cities and counties from setting their own standards for animal care, controlling medications, or limiting which species could be raised, provided these activities did not pose a threat to public health or safety. Although the bill passed the legislature, it was vetoed by the Governor and ultimately failed to become law.

Maddy summaryThis Wisconsin bill expands the state tax deduction for retirement income, allowing more people to exclude certain pension and savings withdrawals from their taxable income. It specifically increases the annual deduction limit and adds new categories of eligible payments, including those from the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Public Health Service. The legislation also clarifies the definition of disability for individuals under 65 who receive disability payments from non-retirement plans. Although the bill passed the legislature, the Governor vetoed it, and the state legislature did not override that veto, meaning the proposed changes did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill, which did not become law, would have prohibited state and local governments in Wisconsin from restricting the use or sale of motor vehicles based on their power source, such as whether they run on electricity or gasoline. The legislation aimed to prevent officials from banning electric vehicles or favoring specific fuel types in public policies, though it allowed agencies to set their own rules for purchasing vehicles for official government use. By defining "motor vehicle" broadly, the bill sought to ensure that no governmental entity could discriminate against vehicles powered by different energy sources in general regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill, which was ultimately vetoed by the Governor, would have changed how deer hunting is regulated in Wisconsin's northern forest zone. It prohibited the state from allowing seasons where only antlerless deer could be hunted and banned the issuance of special permits to kill antlerless deer, with one specific exception for hunters under 16. The legislation also limited individuals to holding only one permit for killing antlered deer per season and allowed those who did not use their bow or crossbow permits to use them during the other type of season. Because the bill was vetoed, these regulatory changes were not enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill would have allowed licensed mental health professionals from other states to provide telehealth services to Wisconsin patients without needing a separate Wisconsin license, provided they held a valid license in the state where they were physically located while treating. The legislation required these out-of-state providers to inform patients about their licensing status and the ability to file complaints, and mandated that providers submit verification of their credentials to the state department within 30 days of starting practice. It explicitly excluded individuals who already held a compact license under the Interstate Mental Health Compact from these new requirements. Although the bill passed the legislature, it was vetoed by the Governor in March 2024 and subsequently failed to override that veto.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes specific rights for parents and guardians regarding their children's upbringing, education, and healthcare, while creating a legal cause of action for violations of these rights. It requires schools to notify parents about controversial subjects taught in classrooms, such as gender identity or systemic racism, and grants parents the ability to opt their children out of related classes based on religious or personal convictions. Additionally, the legislation mandates that parents be informed about disciplinary actions, medical records, and school security systems, and it allows them to file complaints with school boards or sue for up to $10,000 if they believe their rights have been infringed. The law explicitly states that these provisions do not override existing court orders or authorize parents to neglect or abuse their children.

Maddy summaryThis Wisconsin bill proposes expanding the state's individual income tax brackets to apply to higher income levels. It would create two new tax tiers for single filers, heads of households, and married couples, taxing income between $14,320 and $112,500 at 4.40 percent and income above $315,310 at 7.65 percent. The legislation also includes provisions to adjust these tax brackets annually based on changes in the consumer price index to account for inflation. Although the bill passed the legislature, the Governor vetoed it, and the measure failed to override that veto.