Rep. Tip McGuire

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new category called "very large customer" for electric utilities and gives the state commission authority to define who qualifies for this class. It requires electric utilities to file rate applications every other year for these customers and mandates that the commission review whether the rates charged are fair and not discriminatory. The commission will also develop specific rules to ensure utilities properly justify how rates cover the costs of serving these large customers. If rates are found to be unreasonable or unfairly discriminatory, the commission can adjust them or modify service terms accordingly.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state and local government agencies to prioritize purchasing materials manufactured in the United States when all other factors are equal, unless federal law or international agreements prohibit it. It mandates that contracts for public works projects include provisions requiring contractors to use domestically manufactured materials, while exempting purchases intended for commercial resale, stationery, and cases where foreign suppliers do not reciprocate in their own government procurement. The legislation also restricts municipalities from using bidding methods that favor bidders based on geographic location, except when using the United States manufacturing preference. These changes directly affect state departments, municipalities, and contractors bidding on public projects by establishing a preference for American-made goods in government procurement.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a tuition loan program for Wisconsin residents enrolled in higher education who commit to working full-time in teaching, firefighting, or law enforcement for at least 10 years after completing their training. The program provides loans covering total tuition costs for up to four years of undergraduate study at University of Wisconsin System institutions or two years at technical colleges, with funds allocated equally among the three career fields. Eligible students must maintain satisfactory academic progress, apply annually, and repay loans at a 5 percent annual interest rate, though repayment is deferred while they work in their chosen profession and 50 to 100 percent of the loan is forgiven if they remain in the state and profession for seven or ten years respectively. The bill also grants the Higher Educational Aids Board authority to create rules for administering the program and includes a $1.5 million appropriation for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 20 percent procurement goal requiring state agencies and local governments in Wisconsin to purchase at least 20 percent of their products and services from businesses with a principal place of business located in the state. It creates a preference for local products and American-made materials in state purchasing specifications and mandates that agencies track and publicly report their progress toward meeting this goal. The legislation includes exemptions for items purchased for commercial resale, stationery and printing materials, and situations where foreign vendors face discrimination in their home countries. Local governments may opt out of the reporting requirements through a formal ordinance or resolution.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes an amendment to the state constitution to require that all state contracts for stationery and printing be awarded to the lowest bidder operating within the state, unless federal law or international agreements prohibit it. The amendment would allow the legislature to set a maximum price for these contracts and include an anti-corruption provision preventing legislators and state officers from having any financial interest in such contracts. If passed, this change would directly affect state procurement processes by establishing a constitutional mandate for competitive bidding on office supplies and printing services. The bill currently failed to advance after being referred to a committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state minimum wage schedule that gradually increases from $15 per hour in 2026 to $20 per hour by 2030, with slightly lower rates for small employers defined as those with 50 or fewer employees. It also sets specific minimum wage rates for tipped employees, which increase more slowly over the same period. Beginning in 2031, the state department of labor gains authority to adjust the minimum wage annually based on changes in the consumer price index. The bill also grants the department power to create rules for special categories of workers, including agricultural employees, students, and those with disabilities, while exempting certain types of casual employment from minimum wage requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new basic health plan for individuals with household incomes below 200 percent of the poverty line and creates a purchase option program allowing eligible people with higher incomes to buy coverage through the state program instead of private insurance. The program would offer benefits similar to existing state coverage, include tax credits for eligible participants, and set premium rates comparable to managed care plans while requiring federal waivers to implement. It also directs the creation of a state-based insurance exchange where individuals can access these purchase options and grants officials authority to create rules needed for implementation. The bill requires a report on federal waiver status and economic analyses by March 2027 before the program can be fully launched.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits retail sellers from using artificial intelligence or automated systems to set personalized prices for consumer goods based on individual customer data. It defines consumer goods as packaged items for personal use and dynamic price gouging as customized pricing generated through computational models that process consumer information. Retailers who violate this rule could face warnings, civil forfeiture of up to $10,000, or legal injunctions from state authorities. The law applies to both online and in-person sales of everyday products like groceries and household items.

Maddy summaryThis bill adjusts how Wisconsin calculates and distributes state funding for special education costs and general school aid. It modifies the reimbursement rate for special education expenses, allowing the state to distribute up to 100 percent of eligible costs rather than a lower fixed percentage. The legislation also increases the general school aid appropriation for the 2026-27 fiscal year by approximately $446 million to support public school districts. These changes directly affect school districts and the state Department of Public Instruction by altering how funds are allocated and calculated for educational programs.

Maddy summaryAB 999 clarifies that employees of the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority (UWHCA) are covered under collective bargaining agreements. The bill amends specific statutes (including 40.02, 40.05, and 111.02) to explicitly include UWHCA employees in provisions governing union dues, sick leave conversion, and bargaining unit structures. This ensures UWHCA staff have the same collective bargaining rights as other state employees covered under Chapter 111. The changes directly affect UWHCA employees by integrating them into existing labor frameworks without creating new rights. The bill focuses on administrative alignment within current state labor laws.