Rep. Nancy VanderMeer

Maddy summaryAssembly Joint Resolution 4 (AJR 4) is a commemorative resolution by the Wisconsin Legislature. It honors the life and public service of Justice David T. Prosser Jr., recognizing his over 40 years of service in all three branches of state government, including 18 years in the Wisconsin Legislature and 18 years on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The resolution also extends condolences to his family and friends.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the monarch butterfly as the official state butterfly of Wisconsin. It achieves this by adding a new section to the state statutes that explicitly names the monarch in this role and updating the Wisconsin Blue Book to include butterflies alongside other official state symbols. While the legislation was introduced in the 2024 session, it did not pass into law during that legislative cycle.

Maddy summaryThis Wisconsin bill proposes to lower individual income tax rates for residents in the third tax bracket while simultaneously expanding the retirement income subtraction available to retirees. The legislation would allow more retirees to exclude a larger portion of their pension and retirement account withdrawals from state taxable income, with specific provisions added for those who are permanently and totally disabled. Although the bill passed the legislature, it was vetoed by the Governor and ultimately failed to become law.

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 Wisconsin bill updates election procedures to address absentee ballot handling and fraud prevention. It requires absentee ballot certificates to include specific elector information and mandates that ballots be placed in unsealed envelopes with the clerk's details printed on them. The legislation also allows employees of residential care facilities to serve as personal care voting assistants during public health emergencies. Additionally, it clarifies rules for appointing election officials and establishes penalties for election fraud.

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 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.