Rep. Alex Joers

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates weight limit rules for vehicles transporting maple sap or syrup in Wisconsin. It allows these vehicles to carry heavier loads on certain state highways, with specific axle weight limits of 21,000 pounds per axle or 37,000 pounds for closely spaced axles, while excluding interstate highways from these relaxed limits. The changes aim to support maple producers by permitting more efficient transportation of their products from collection sites to storage or markets. The bill also includes a procedural provision exempting it from a standard transportation department review requirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public and private elementary and secondary schools and licensed child care centers with fuel-burning appliances to install carbon monoxide detectors in rooms containing those appliances. The law specifies that detectors must be battery-powered or permanently wired with monitoring for older buildings, while newer buildings must have permanently wired, monitored detectors certified by an independent safety organization. Schools can apply for up to $3,000 grants to purchase and install these detectors, and the Department of Justice will provide annual reports on grant usage. The bill also updates maintenance requirements and allows authorized inspectors to check detector functionality in covered facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies the rules for selling alcoholic beverages in public parks operated by counties or municipalities in Wisconsin. It specifies that such sales must be conducted by county or municipal officers or employees under rules or regulations approved by the governing body. The legislation also reinforces that municipalities cannot sell alcohol except under the specific conditions outlined for public parks and existing municipal stores. This change provides clearer legal authority for local governments to manage alcohol sales in their public spaces.

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 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 summaryAssembly Resolution 12 designates February 28, 2026, as Rare Disease Day in Wisconsin to raise awareness about rare diseases, which affect millions of Americans including Wisconsin residents. The resolution acknowledges challenges like delayed diagnosis and limited treatment access for conditions impacting fewer than 200,000 people. It aligns with a national observance organized by the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) and serves as a symbolic gesture without creating new laws or funding.

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.