Rep. Francesca Hong

Maddy summaryThis bill allows licensed respite care provider homes to temporarily house runaway children with the consent of both the child and their parent or guardian. It establishes procedures for notifying child welfare agencies when a runaway is found in such a home without parental consent and outlines how courts can designate these homes for temporary care after a child is taken into custody. The legislation applies to homes licensed under specific state statutes and requires oversight by county departments or child welfare agencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to amend state statutes regarding when a public official loses their residency status. It would allow an incumbent to maintain their residency for up to 60 days even if they are experiencing homelessness. The change directly affects public office holders who might temporarily lose stable housing. The bill aims to clarify residency requirements without changing the core obligation to maintain a permanent residence. It is currently under consideration by the Committee on Local Government.

Maddy summaryAB 1008 clarifies eligibility for Wisconsin's child care subsidy program (Wisconsin Shares) by expanding "relative" definitions to include "like-kin" caregivers. It allows non-relatives who provide care as family (e.g., close family friends) to qualify for subsidies if they meet specific criteria, such as having a court order and receiving payments under certain statutes. The bill also adjusts income calculations for eligibility, including court-ordered support payments exceeding $1,250 monthly. This directly affects caregivers of children under 13 (or 19 if disabled) who seek child care assistance through Wisconsin Shares.

Maddy summaryAB 1023 creates a dedicated $500,000 annual appropriation (for 2025-26 and 2026-27) specifically for training and technical assistance for tribal child care providers. The bill directs the Department of Children and Families to use this funding to contract with agencies or award grants aimed at improving the quality of child care services provided by tribal organizations. This funding is separate from other child care funding streams and must be used exclusively for these tribal provider support activities. The bill directly affects tribal child care programs in Wisconsin by providing a new, dedicated resource for their professional development and operational support.

Maddy summaryAB 1029 creates Wisconsin's first state-level estate tax, applying to estates of Wisconsin residents and non-residents owning property within the state. It taxes the "Wisconsin taxable estate" (based on federal estate valuation rules, adjusted for Wisconsin-specific exclusions) at rates tied to federal tax exclusion amounts. The tax applies to transfers from decedents who were Wisconsin residents at death or to property with a "situs" (location) in Wisconsin, with specific exemptions for certain intangible property. This bill directly affects estates of Wisconsin residents and non-residents holding in-state assets, imposing tax where federal estate tax would not apply.

Maddy summaryAB 1028 authorizes Wisconsin counties and municipalities to impose a local income tax on the portion of a resident's Wisconsin taxable income exceeding $1 million for single filers, $500,000 for separately filing married individuals, or $1 million for jointly filing married couples. Localities must adopt the tax via a referendum and apply it only to taxpayers who reside, own property, or work in the jurisdiction for at least 30 days annually. The state Department of Revenue would administer the tax, with 1.75% of collected revenue funding administrative costs.

Maddy summaryAB 999 clarifies that employees of the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority (UWHCA) are covered under collective bargaining agreements. The bill amends specific statutes (including 40.02, 40.05, and 111.02) to explicitly include UWHCA employees in provisions governing union dues, sick leave conversion, and bargaining unit structures. This ensures UWHCA staff have the same collective bargaining rights as other state employees covered under Chapter 111. The changes directly affect UWHCA employees by integrating them into existing labor frameworks without creating new rights. The bill focuses on administrative alignment within current state labor laws.

Maddy summaryAJR 134 is a joint resolution recognizing Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as official holidays in Wisconsin. It directly affects Wisconsin's Muslim community (approximately 70,000 people) by encouraging schools and employers to acknowledge these religious holidays, which mark the end of Ramadan and the Hajj pilgrimage. The resolution does not create new policies or mandate changes but aims to raise awareness of these holidays' cultural and religious significance. It is currently pending in committee after being introduced on February 6, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for Wisconsin's child care subsidy program (Wisconsin Shares) by allowing families with incomes above 200% of the federal poverty line but below 100% of the state median income to continue receiving subsidies. It creates a new eligibility pathway (20.437 (2) (ct)) to cover families previously disqualified due to income thresholds and adjusts copayment rules for those exceeding income limits. The policy directly affects low-income working families who lost subsidies due to modest income increases but remain below the new 100% state median income cutoff. A $1.25 million appropriation for fiscal year 2026-27 funds this expansion.

Maddy summaryAB 1016 allocates $2,166,600 annually for two fiscal years (2025-26 and 2026-27) to fund workforce training for child care providers and prospective providers. The bill creates a new funding line (20.437(2)(d)) under the Department of Children and Families, directing these funds toward contracts focused specifically on training child care staff. It directly affects licensed child care providers and those seeking to enter the field by providing financial support for their professional development. The bill establishes a dedicated funding stream but does not change eligibility rules or create new regulatory requirements.