Rep. Bob Donovan

Maddy summaryAB 501 establishes new standards for free speech and academic freedom at University of Wisconsin System institutions and technical colleges. It protects students, faculty, staff, and graduate assistants from campus restrictions on First Amendment-protected speech, including in virtual spaces (except during virtual classroom instruction). Institutions may only limit speech that violates laws, constitutes threats/harassment, or materially disrupts operations, and must use content-neutral time/place/manner rules for public forums. The bill also creates legal grounds for individuals to sue the Board of Regents or technical college boards if these protections are violated.

Maddy summaryAB 436 requires animal testing facilities and breeders to offer dogs and cats for adoption to shelters or rescue groups before euthanizing them, if the animals don't pose health/safety risks. Facilities must provide a 3-week window for adoption offers and submit annual reports tracking adoption numbers, animals used in testing, and shelter partners. This directly affects animal testing facilities (including research labs) and breeders who sell animals to such facilities. Violations carry a $5,000 penalty per animal, with no state liability for compliance actions.

Maddy summaryAJR 116 is a ceremonial joint resolution congratulating the Greendale High School Marching Band on winning the Wisconsin School Music Association State Marching Band Championship for the 20th consecutive year. It does not create new laws or affect any policies; it is solely a symbolic expression of legislative recognition. The resolution formally acknowledges the band's achievement of first place in Class AA at the 2025 championship, their 20-year championship streak, and their upcoming performances. This type of resolution has no legal effect on the band, students, or school.

Maddy summaryAB 197 creates a new exemption allowing local governments (like counties or municipalities) to count certain regional emergency medical services costs toward their budget limits without triggering spending restrictions. To qualify, the service must cover at least 232 square miles or include 8 municipalities, and annual cost increases must stay below the inflation rate plus 5%. The exemption requires confirmation of a regional service area and a designated coordination entity for EMS across the area. This specifically affects jurisdictions operating joint emergency medical services districts or intergovernmental agreements for EMS, including fire department-provided services.

Maddy summaryAB 606 regulates hemp-derived cannabinoid products by creating an occupational tax on businesses selling these products, alcohol warehouses, and production facilities. It renames the state's "Division of Alcohol Beverages" to the "Division of Intoxicating Products" and grants this new division rule-making authority to enforce regulations. The bill also establishes penalties for violations of the new rules. This directly affects hemp product businesses, alcohol warehouse operators, and the state agency responsible for oversight.

Maddy summaryAB 156 requires public school districts in the 2026-27 school year to provide age-appropriate child sexual abuse prevention education to all students from 4-year-old kindergarten through 12th grade. The curriculum must include specific topics like correct body part names, setting personal boundaries, identifying safe adults, distinguishing safe/unsafe touch, and reporting abuse, using research-based methods. Schools must notify parents about the program schedule and content annually, and parents can opt their child out with a written request. This law directly affects all K-12 students and their families in public schools across the state.

Maddy summaryAJR 109 is a symbolic joint resolution honoring Wisconsin's Hispanic and Latino veterans. It formally recognizes their service and sacrifices throughout U.S. military history, including specific references to the Borinqueneers unit and General Richard Cavazos. The resolution expresses the Wisconsin Legislature's gratitude through a formal statement, acknowledging these veterans' contributions without creating new programs or altering laws. This is a commemorative gesture, not a policy change, and directly affects no individuals or entities through legislative action.

Maddy summaryAB 678 requires Wisconsin school boards to adopt a policy by July 2026 governing appropriate communication between school employees and volunteers (acting in their official capacity) and students. The policy must cover all communication methods and content, both during and outside school hours, and specify consequences for violations. It directly affects school district staff, volunteers, and students by establishing clear standards for professional interactions. The bill creates a new statutory requirement (120.12(30)) without dictating specific communication rules, leaving implementation to individual school boards.

Maddy summaryAB 635 requires the state environmental department to notify county health departments, tribal health departments, and county land conservation departments within 7 business days whenever groundwater protection standards or PFAS standards are exceeded. The bill creates a formal notification system to alert affected local governments and adjacent counties that might face negative impacts, with notices available for public review under state law. This law directly affects local health and land management agencies in counties where water contamination breaches are confirmed, ensuring timely public awareness of groundwater safety issues.

Maddy summaryAB 207 requires clear, plain-language disclosure notices for all statewide referenda and constitutional amendments on ballots. It mandates that each notice include the full ballot text, a plain-language summary of current law, and specific explanations of how "yes" and "no" votes would affect voters - all limited to one page. These notices must be posted online 30 days before voting, included with sample ballots and absentee ballots, and published by county clerks. The bill directly affects voters by improving their access to understandable information and election officials who must implement these disclosure requirements.