Rep. Sylvia Ortiz-Velez

Maddy summaryAB 515 makes it a crime to disrupt elections by engaging in loud, harassing, or intimidating behavior at polling places or absentee voting sites during voting hours. It directly affects individuals who interfere with voters, election officials, or municipal staff performing election duties. The bill increases penalties for crimes committed specifically to target election activities, such as attacking someone because they were voting or working at a polling place. Violators face fines up to $10,000 or up to 9 months in jail, with steeper penalties for repeat offenses or crimes against election workers.

Maddy summaryAB 441 requires law enforcement officers to clearly identify themselves during arrests or detentions. Specifically, officers must state their name, display their badge number and agency insignia (with specified visibility standards), and state the legal authority for the action. The bill prohibits concealing identity except for medical masks, tactical gear, or during imminent danger. Violating these rules is a Class D felony, though courts cannot impose jail time. This directly affects officers employed by state or local law enforcement agencies during enforcement actions.

Maddy summaryAB 512 prohibits employers from asking about a job applicant’s previous salary before making a job offer or using that information to set pay. It also allows employees to discuss or disclose their own pay with coworkers without retaliation. Employees who face discrimination for discussing pay can file complaints with the state labor department or sue in court, with damages limited by company size (ranging from $50,000 to $300,000). The law directly affects all employers and employees in the state, aiming to increase pay transparency and reduce wage discrimination.

Maddy summaryAJR 103 designates the last full week of September as Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) Awareness Week in Wisconsin. This symbolic resolution aims to raise public awareness about FTD - a progressive brain disorder affecting behavior, personality, or language - highlighting its challenges, misdiagnosis rates, and economic impact on families, without creating new policies or funding. It aligns with existing global awareness efforts but does not alter laws or provide resources.

Maddy summaryAB 557 updates Wisconsin's regulations for real estate appraisers and appraisal management companies. It raises the transaction value threshold for "residential appraiser" certification from $250,000 to $500,000 and establishes state-to-state reciprocity agreements to recognize appraiser credentials. The bill also requires appraisers to display their title and license number on reports and prohibits appraisal management companies from removing independent appraisers from their panels without specific justification. These changes directly affect licensed appraisers, appraisal management companies, and the Department of Financial Institutions overseeing credentialing.

Maddy summaryAB 128 requires specific first responders - including firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel, correctional officers, and conservation wardens - to complete training on recognizing severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), safely storing and administering epinephrine delivery systems, and following up after use. The bill mandates that all qualifying first responders must have an epinephrine delivery system available during duty and be trained on all required subjects. The state department must compile and maintain a list of approved training organizations and may distribute epinephrine systems using existing funds. This legislation directly affects over 30,000 first responders across multiple agencies who respond to medical emergencies.

Maddy summaryAB 517 prohibits foreign nationals from contributing to referendum committees and bans referendum committees from accepting such contributions. The bill directly affects foreign nationals (defined using federal campaign finance rules) and referendum committees organizing ballot initiatives. It adds a new provision to state law stating: "No foreign national may make a contribution to a referendum committee, and no referendum committee may accept a contribution from a foreign national." This clarifies existing federal restrictions apply to state-level referendum committees. The bill is currently in committee for review after its October 2025 introduction.

Maddy summaryAB 527 removes restrictions on county advisory referendums in Wisconsin. It eliminates a specific exception that previously barred counties from holding advisory votes on most issues, except for capital projects funded by property taxes. The bill amends statute 59.52(25) to allow county boards to conduct advisory referendums on any topic without prior restrictions. This directly affects county governments seeking to gather public input on local policy decisions through non-binding votes. The change removes barriers to community engagement on a broader range of local issues.

Maddy summaryAB 537 requires municipal clerks to return absentee ballots with incomplete or missing voter certification forms to the voter, rather than discarding them. This directly affects voters who make minor errors on their ballots and municipal clerks who process mail-in votes. The bill mandates that clerks return the ballot (in its sealed envelope) with a new envelope if needed, giving voters time to correct the error before the deadline. It changes the law from allowing clerks to return ballots ("may") to requiring it ("shall").

Maddy summaryAJR 77 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Chief Justice Ann Walsh Bradley upon her retirement from the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The resolution formally recognizes her 40-year career, including her 1985 appointment as Marathon County's first female circuit court judge, her 1995 election as the first woman to reach the Supreme Court via election, and her 2025 service as Chief Justice. It does not create any new policy or affect any laws, as it is purely a symbolic gesture of legislative appreciation. The resolution was introduced by 32 assembly members and 14 senators in July 2025.