Rep. Karen Kirsch

Maddy summaryThis bill would require election officials to exclude candidates from federal ballots if there is conclusive evidence that the candidate is ineligible under the U.S. Constitution to hold the office. It directly affects election administrators and candidates for president, vice president, and other national offices by mandating that they verify constitutional eligibility before allowing names on ballots. The law specifies that ineligibility must be clear through candidate admission or other conclusive proof, and it prevents presidential electors from voting for candidates who are constitutionally ineligible. The bill creates new statutory sections to codify these requirements in state election laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Office of the Public Intervenor within the state insurance commissioner's office to help individuals with insurance claims, policies, and appeals for medical procedures and medications. It establishes rules requiring insurers to process disability insurance claims within reasonable timeframes, provide detailed explanations for claim denials, and disclose when artificial intelligence is used in claim decisions. The office can levy assessments on insurers based on their premium volume to fund its operations and conduct audits of claims denial practices. Additionally, the bill prohibits specific insurer practices such as using vague policy terms, stalling claim reviews, or allowing non-physician personnel to determine medical necessity.

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 establishes a state-based health insurance exchange and provides funding for its operation. It requires the state insurance commissioner to set up an exchange that joins the federal platform by 2029 and transitions to a fully state-run system by 2030. The legislation creates a new fee structure where insurers using the exchange pay a 0.5 percent charge on premiums during the federal platform phase, with different rates applying after the transition. Additionally, it sets rules for how unspent funds from the exchange program must be handled at the end of each fiscal year.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to update the legal definition of a political action committee (PAC) for campaign finance purposes in the state statutes. It would classify a group as a PAC if it spends more than $1,000 in a 12-month period on express advocacy, referendum support or opposition, or contributions to candidates, legislative committees, or political parties. The definition specifically excludes fundraising and administrative expenses from the spending calculation. This change would affect how organizations are categorized and regulated under campaign finance laws. The bill was introduced in March 2026 but failed to pass the Senate.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow corporations, cooperatives, labor organizations, and federally recognized American Indian Tribes to make contributions to segregated political funds, but only up to a total of $12,000 per calendar year. The law currently prohibits these entities from contributing to most political committees, with this change creating a specific exception for segregated funds. The bill does not permit these groups to contribute to independent expenditure committees or referendum committees. This provision would apply to both foreign and domestic corporations as well as the other specified organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Wisconsin campaign finance laws to establish specific contribution limits for individuals, committees, and political parties supporting candidates for various state offices. It sets maximum donation amounts that differ based on the office being sought, ranging from $500 for state representatives to $43,000 for governor, while also defining contribution caps for political action committees and other persons not subject to individual limits. The legislation creates new statutory sections to organize these limits and adjusts the calculation method for local office contributions based on population size, capping donations at $2,500 per jurisdiction.

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 summaryThis bill updates Wisconsin election laws to require political committees to report specific spending details when they make mass communications, such as sending 500 or more identical emails, making 500 or more identical phone calls, or distributing 500 or more identical printed materials. It defines mass communications as messages sent during the 60 days before an election that clearly reference a certified candidate and are intended to appeal for or against their vote. Committees including political action committees, independent expenditure committees, and legislative campaign committees must file registration statements and detailed reports about these expenditures within 10 business days of making the communication or exceeding spending thresholds. The changes apply to any group supporting or opposing candidates in elections and aim to increase transparency around campaign spending on large-scale outreach efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies state election law to require disclosure of a donor's job and employer address when they contribute more than $100 to various political committees during a calendar year. The change applies to contributions made to candidates, political parties, legislative committees, action committees, independent expenditure groups, recipients, referendum committees, and recall committees. Under current rules, this information is only required for contributions exceeding $200, so the bill lowers that threshold to increase transparency in political fundraising. The amendment affects individuals who make these contributions and the committees that receive them by mandating additional reporting details.