Rep. Karen Kirsch

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 summaryAB 916 creates a state-funded home repair program to address habitability issues and improve energy efficiency in affordable housing. It provides grants of up to $25,000 per unit to eligible homeowners (income ≤100% of area median income who own or occupy their homes) and interest-free loans of up to $25,000 to eligible landlords (owning ≤5 properties/15 units of affordable housing). The program prioritizes repairs for homes with health/safety hazards, energy efficiency upgrades, and accessibility improvements for individuals with disabilities or young children. Properties must be between 10 and 40 years old to qualify, and funds are administered by the state authority or contracted counties/nonprofits with strict reporting requirements.

Maddy summaryAB 1044 creates a state grant program allocating $300,000 for the 2025-26 fiscal year to help adult family homes, community-based residential facilities, nursing homes, and residential care apartment complexes purchase patient lift devices. These devices must be state-approved, allow independent or staff-assisted operation, and mechanically lift a person. Facilities receiving grants must report usage data, with up to $100,000 of the appropriation reserved for collecting and analyzing this information.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits disability insurance policies and self-insured health plans from using artificial intelligence to deny prior authorization requests for medical necessity or experimental treatments. Instead, it requires that a licensed human healthcare provider must review these specific requests before any denial can occur. The law applies to limited service health organizations, preferred provider plans, and defined network plans, with exceptions for plans covered by collective bargaining agreements. If passed, the restrictions would take effect at the start of the fourth month following the bill's publication.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school boards to pay teachers for time spent on nonclassroom duties, such as grading, planning, or administrative tasks, rather than expecting this work to be done without compensation. The key provision states that no school board can require teachers to perform services outside regular classroom instruction unless they are compensated for that time. The law applies to all teachers affected by collective bargaining agreements or contracts, taking effect when their current agreements expire or are modified. This change aims to ensure teachers are paid for all professional time they spend supporting students and school operations.

Maddy summaryAB 953 requires retail firearm sellers to provide a clear written warning about child safety risks and a secure storage option during each sale. The warning, in block letters at least one-fourth inch tall, states that leaving a loaded firearm accessible to a child may result in fines or jail time if the child discharges it. Sellers must also provide either a lockable container designed for firearms or a trigger lock. Violating these requirements carries a penalty of up to $500 or 30 days in jail.

Maddy summaryAB 954 requires firearm owners to report lost or stolen weapons to local law enforcement within 24 hours, and to report recovery as soon as possible. Law enforcement agencies must forward these reports to a state database for tracking stolen firearms, which will be shared with other agencies. Owners who fail to report lost/stolen firearms face fines or jail time (Class A misdemeanor for first offense, Class I felony for repeat violations), and false reports are punishable under existing law. The bill also mandates sellers provide written notice of these reporting requirements to buyers at the time of sale.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to increase state funding for passenger rail operations by $10 million and allocate an additional $5.2 million for feasibility studies on rail expansion projects. The funds would be directed to the department of transportation for fiscal year 2026-27 to support existing rail services and evaluate potential new routes. The legislation affects state transportation budgets and rail service providers by authorizing these specific appropriations. The bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process and has not yet been enacted into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill would add a nonvoting teacher representative to school boards in Wisconsin's common and union high school districts. The teacher representative would be selected through a secret ballot vote by teaching staff members and would serve a three-year term, attending all board meetings including closed sessions but without voting rights. The legislation also updates procedures for school board reorganization and special meetings to include notification requirements for the teacher representative.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes minimum salary requirements for full-time public school teachers in Wisconsin. It mandates that all full-time teachers receive an annual salary at least equal to the higher of the state senator or representative salary for that fiscal year. Teachers with at least 10 years of experience must be paid no less than the legislator salary plus $15,000, while those with 20 years or more must earn at least $100,000 annually. The law applies to teachers whose contracts expire or are renewed after the bill takes effect and cannot be negotiated away through collective bargaining agreements.