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.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill expands the Wisconsin attorney general's authority to file civil lawsuits on behalf of the state against individuals or entities accused of violating civil rights in housing, employment, education, and public accommodations. It allows the attorney general to investigate these potential violations by requiring sworn statements, accessing relevant documents, and issuing subpoenas to gather information. If a violation is found, the attorney general can seek court orders to stop the illegal conduct, recover investigation costs, and impose civil penalties of up to $50,000 for first offenses or $100,000 for subsequent violations within seven years. The bill also permits the attorney general to accept voluntary compliance agreements as an alternative to litigation, though breaking such agreements would still be treated as a violation subject to penalties.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Office of Civil Legal Aid overseen by a nine-member Civil Legal Aid Board to provide legal representation for residential tenants facing eviction. The legislation establishes a right to appointed counsel at state expense for tenants in eviction actions, requiring landlords to include notices about this right in rental agreements and eviction notices. A nine-member board, appointed by the state supreme court with at least five being licensed attorneys, would oversee program operations, manage budgets, and appoint lawyers to represent tenants who request assistance. The bill also authorizes funding for the office and sets up procedures for tenants to request appointed counsel by appearing in court or contacting the clerk before the eviction hearing date.
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 proposes amending the Wisconsin Constitution to establish a presumption that people accused of crimes are eligible for pretrial release under reasonable conditions, rather than requiring them to pay cash bail. It would allow courts to deny release only if there is a reasonable basis to believe monetary conditions are necessary to ensure court appearance or protect the community, with stricter rules for violent crimes. The amendment also sets specific time limits for denying release before and after hearings for serious offenses like murder or sexual assault, while requiring courts to use clear and convincing evidence to justify keeping someone detained. This measure would shift the legal standard from requiring proof of dangerousness to prove release is unsafe, placing the burden on prosecutors to overcome the presumption of eligibility.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates new criminal penalties for intentionally obstructing access to reproductive health service facilities or places of religious worship. It defines prohibited actions as using force, threats, or physical obstruction to injure, intimidate, or interfere with people seeking or providing reproductive health services, or to damage property at these locations. Violations are classified as a Class A misdemeanor for first offenses and a Class I felony for repeat offenses. The law also establishes civil remedies allowing affected individuals or entities to sue for damages, injunctive relief, and attorney fees, with the option to receive statutory damages of up to $25,000 per violation. Additionally, the bill modifies existing tort claim limitations to exclude cases covered under this new statute.
Maddy summaryThis bill decriminalizes prostitution by removing criminal penalties for consenting adults engaging in sex work and establishes a sex workers' bill of rights. It directly affects sex workers, law enforcement agencies, and employers by prohibiting arrests and charges solely for engaging in sex work while granting workers protections against discrimination, harassment, and unsafe working conditions. The legislation reclassifies sex work as legal labor, ensuring sex workers receive minimum wage protections, access to health benefits, and the right to control their work and negotiate contracts. It also mandates that employers, clients, and service beneficiaries maintain safe working environments free from violence and exploitation. The bill defines sex workers as legitimate sole proprietors or businesses and extends existing worker protections to this group.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Wisconsin statutes to clarify that law enforcement officers cannot have sexual contact with specific individuals they encounter during their duties. It directly affects law enforcement officers and the people they detain, investigate, or interact with in an official capacity. The law removes consent as a defense in cases where an officer has sexual contact with someone they are detaining, investigating, or contacting while performing official duties. These provisions apply regardless of whether the detention or contact is lawful or actual or constructive. The bill creates specific criminal penalties for officers who violate these new restrictions.
Maddy summaryAB 1178 amends Wisconsin statutes to update definitions and procedures for regional transit authorities, ensuring they are recognized as eligible entities for various state programs including highway relocation orders, right-of-way applications, and employer classifications for employee benefits. The bill creates new funding mechanisms by establishing appropriation accounts to collect and distribute taxes imposed by transit authorities that choose to levy them, with a portion of those revenues retained for administrative costs. Additionally, the legislation clarifies which organizations qualify as municipalities and employers under existing laws, explicitly including transit authorities created under the specified chapter while excluding cultural arts districts from certain employer definitions. This bill does not mandate tax collection but provides the legal framework for transit authorities to adopt resolutions imposing taxes if they choose to do so.