Rep. Sylvia Ortiz-Velez

Maddy summaryAB 534 requires public high schools to offer voter registration during regular school days for enrolled students and school staff. It creates a process where schools appoint "school registration deputies" to collect forms, which are then sent to the local election office; students who register as minors will be automatically added to the voter rolls when they turn 18. Private or tribal high schools with many local students may also participate if they request it. The bill directly affects high school students (especially those approaching voting age) and school staff by expanding access to voter registration at school locations.

Maddy summaryAB 533 requires all public K-12 schools in the state to incorporate at least one hour of voter education annually into the social studies curriculum, effective July 1, 2026. It mandates age-appropriate content: elementary students learn election basics, voting importance, and mock elections, while high school students receive instruction on voter registration, absentee ballots, military/student voting procedures, and accessing official election resources. The bill updates state social studies standards to include these requirements and applies to all public schools, including charter schools, through curriculum adjustments. This policy directly affects students, educators, and school districts by embedding civic education into standard coursework.

Maddy summaryAB 576 limits most uses of automatic license plate readers (ALPRs), allowing them only for parking enforcement, secured private areas with restricted access, or weigh stations. It requires law enforcement to obtain a warrant before accessing ALPR or private security camera data, with exceptions only during emergencies involving immediate danger. The bill also restricts data retention to 90 days and imposes fines up to $10,000 for violations of these rules.

Maddy summaryAB 586 amends Wisconsin statutes to clarify and strengthen shared governance at University of Wisconsin System institutions by defining the roles of faculty, academic staff, and students in institutional decision-making. The bill requires faculty to ensure STEM disciplines are represented in governance structures, gives academic staff the right to organize and advise on policies affecting them, and ensures students actively participate in policies related to student life and fee management. Key provisions specify that faculty have primary responsibility for academic matters, academic staff for their own policies, and students for advising on campus life and fee use. These changes directly affect all faculty, academic staff, and students across UW System campuses by formalizing their participation in governance and policy development.

Maddy summaryAB 495 adjusts Wisconsin's school funding system to protect districts from funding cuts between 2024 and 2025. It creates a "supplemental hold harmless aid" provision (20.255(2)(ab)) to ensure districts receiving higher state aid in 2024 retain that level in 2025-26. The bill also modifies per-pupil revenue limits, adding $325 for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years, and increases state funding appropriations by $493.8 million for 2025-26 and $699.9 million for 2026-27. These changes directly affect public school districts receiving state equalization aid.

Maddy summaryAJR 78 is a joint resolution that directs the Wisconsin legislature to officially proclaim June 12, 2025, as "Women Veterans Day" in the state. It recognizes the historical significance of June 12, 1948 - the date President Truman signed the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act - and highlights Wisconsin’s 29,000+ women veterans, who represent about 10% of the state’s veteran population. The resolution aims to honor women veterans’ service and sacrifices, acknowledging their growing demographic presence and unique challenges like higher rates of PTSD and unemployment compared to male veterans. This is a symbolic recognition with no new policy or funding changes.

Maddy summaryAB 569 regulates the sale and resale of event tickets by requiring sellers and resellers to clearly disclose all costs (including fees and taxes) upfront. It bans resellers from selling "speculative" tickets (not in their possession) and restricts presales through fan clubs or early access programs. The bill also mandates refunds within 10 days for canceled events, counterfeit tickets, or tickets that don't match descriptions, and prohibits deceptive marketing using artists' or venues' names without permission. These rules apply directly to ticket sellers, secondary marketplaces, and resellers, aiming to increase transparency and prevent deceptive practices.

Maddy summaryAJR 106 is a non-binding resolution honoring the 200th anniversary of Norwegian immigration to the United States, specifically commemorating the 1825 voyage of the sloop *Restauration* from Norway to New York. It formally recognizes the arrival of the first organized group of Norwegian immigrants and their descendants, particularly highlighting Wisconsin's historical connection as home to approximately 25% of Norwegian Americans by 1900. The resolution does not create new laws or affect any individuals or groups; it is purely commemorative, aligning with the 2025 bicentennial of the *Restauration*'s journey.

Maddy summaryAB 423 establishes an annual sales tax holiday for qualifying back-to-school items, exempting them from state sales tax during a designated period. The bill defines "eligible property" to include clothing (excluding certain accessories), school supplies (like notebooks and pencils), art supplies, school computer supplies, and instructional materials (such as textbooks), but excludes items like protective gear or sport equipment. It creates a reimbursement mechanism requiring the state to fund counties and municipalities for lost sales tax revenue during the holiday. The policy directly affects consumers purchasing these items and retailers selling them during the tax-free period.

Maddy summaryAB 539 allows 16- and 17-year-olds to preregister to vote in the state. This preregistration becomes active when they turn 18, enabling them to vote in future elections without needing to re-register. The bill amends voter registration rules to require that preregistered 16-17 year olds only appear on voter lists once they reach age 18 on election day. It does not permit their names to appear on election lists before they turn 18.