Rep. Angela Stroud

Maddy summaryAB 439 modifies eligibility rules for a state grant program that funds improvements to agricultural roads. The bill adds a new requirement: a highway must have an engineering analysis by a licensed professional showing it cannot handle heavy agricultural traffic to qualify for the grant. This directly affects farmers and agricultural businesses that rely on these roads, as it expands the criteria beyond existing structural deficiencies or weight restrictions. The change aims to ensure roads serving farming operations receive targeted funding based on actual traffic capacity needs.

Maddy summaryAB 671 mandates the Department of Administration to study redundant federal, state, and local requirements for constructing new housing (including single-family, duplex, and multifamily units). The study must identify overlapping or unnecessary rules and submit a report with legislative recommendations within one year of the bill's effective date. This bill does not create new laws but directs a formal review to potentially streamline housing construction regulations. It directly affects future legislative decisions on housing policy, not current construction practices.

Maddy summaryAB 488 adds soybean-derived fire suppression products to the list of eligible costs for state fire safety grants. The bill specifically allows grant recipients to purchase these products using funds from existing fire suppression grant programs. This change directly affects state agencies, local fire departments, or organizations applying for these grants, making soybean-based fire suppression materials a qualifying expense.

Maddy summaryAB 553 requires Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources to install and maintain metal containers for hunters to dispose of deer carcasses at state-designated locations, with regular carcass removal. It increases annual funding by $500,000 for these disposal sites and $250,000 for hunter education about chronic wasting disease (CWD) and proper carcass disposal. The bill directly affects hunters who must use these disposal sites and the Department of Natural Resources, which implements the program. Funding applies to fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 as specified in the appropriations schedule.

Maddy summaryAB 637 requires private postsecondary schools in the state to derive at least 20% of their annual revenue from non-federal sources in two out of their three most recent fiscal years to enroll state residents. This applies directly to private colleges and universities seeking to admit students who live in the state. The bill defines "annual revenue" and "federal funds" specifically and grants the state education department authority to create implementing rules. The requirement will take effect for the 2028-29 academic year.

Maddy summaryAJR 115 is a non-binding resolution recognizing October 26, 2025, and 2026, as Intersex Awareness Day in Wisconsin. It honors the 1996 first public demonstration by intersex people at a medical conference and acknowledges intersex individuals - those born with variations in physical sex characteristics - as part of Wisconsin's diverse community. The resolution highlights ongoing challenges like discrimination and unnecessary medical procedures on intersex children, while affirming the importance of bodily autonomy and dignity. This symbolic gesture does not create new laws but formally supports awareness and respect for intersex people.

Maddy summaryAB 638 requires private postsecondary schools seeking state approval (or renewal) to maintain a reserve fund equal to 25% of their highest annual revenue over the past five years (or projected first-year revenue for new schools). This fund protects students if schools commit fraud, fail to deliver promised education services, or close unexpectedly. Schools must also pay a $3 student protection fee for every $1,000 of their annual revenue, with fee collection stopping once the fund exceeds $5 million. The bill directly affects private colleges operating in the state, creating a financial safety net for students through mandatory reserves and a fee-based fund.

Maddy summaryAB 551 establishes a program allowing hunters to drop off deer carcass parts at designated sampling stations - such as self-service kiosks - for chronic wasting disease (CWD) testing. The Department of Natural Resources will administer these stations, which may contract with private entities to process samples. The bill appropriates $500,000 for fiscal year 2025-26 and another $500,000 for 2026-27 to fund this program. It directly affects hunters who use the stations and the Department of Natural Resources, which will manage the sampling operations.

Maddy summaryAB 632 imposes a moratorium on issuing permits for mining sulfide ore bodies (mineral deposits where metals mix with sulfide minerals) until two conditions are verified. Specifically, the department must confirm that similar mining operations in the U.S. or Canada have operated for at least 10 years without polluting groundwater or surface water from acid drainage or heavy metals, and that similar closed mines have remained pollution-free for 10 years. This applies to all permit applications, regardless of when they were submitted, and remains in effect until the verification requirements are met. The bill directly affects mining companies seeking permits for sulfide ore mining projects in the state.

Maddy summaryAB 661 requires the Department of Safety and Professional Services to audit fire sprinkler systems in specific residential buildings - defined as apartment buildings, rowhouses, townhouses, or condos with 8+ attached units and at least one unit 2+ stories above ground (excluding Chapter 50 licensed facilities). The audit must determine if automatic fire sprinklers are installed, with a report due to the governor and legislature by September 30, 2026. The bill appropriates $75,000 for two project positions to fund the audit over two fiscal years. This directly affects owners and managers of the specified buildings, as the audit verifies existing sprinkler compliance but does not mandate new installations.