Rep. Alex Joers

Maddy summaryAB 857 creates a climate change scholarship program funding $5 million annually for Wisconsin students enrolled in climate-related academic programs at eligible colleges and universities (including UW System, technical colleges, tribal colleges, or private nonprofits). It requires scholarships to be split equally between merit-based and need-based awards, with a $5,000 annual limit per student. The program is funded through a dedicated appropriation in the state budget, administered by the Higher Educational Aids Board. Students with unresolved child support liens may be excluded unless they provide approved payment plans.

Maddy summaryAB 853 allocates $200,000 annually for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years to fund two full-time research positions at the University of Wisconsin-Madison focused on agriculture and climate change. The positions must be filled using existing vacant research roles (not creating new ones), assigned to the university's extension division, and contribute to increasing the total number of research positions at UW-Madison. The bill modifies the state budget to add this funding under existing appropriations for the University of Wisconsin System. It does not create new positions but directs existing resources toward climate science research in agriculture through UW-Madison's extension program.

Maddy summaryAB 860 requires state and county correctional facilities to provide written guides detailing inmates' and juveniles' rights, updated annually or after legal changes. These guides must account for individual circumstances like confinement status and location, and be posted throughout facilities, provided upon entry or transfer, and explained by staff to all affected individuals. The bill appropriates $200,000 for the Department of Administration to contract with legal organizations - including formerly incarcerated individuals - to develop these guides by June 2027. The law takes effect July 1, 2027, directly affecting all inmates in state prisons, county jails, and juveniles in youth facilities across Wisconsin.

Maddy summaryAB 850 sets specific annual spending limits for Wisconsin's agricultural exports program, requiring the Center for International Agribusiness Marketing to allocate $2.5 million toward export promotion (sub. (2)(a)) and $1.25 million each toward two other export objectives (sub. (2)(b) and (c)), while capping total annual spending at $1 million. The bill increases funding by $1.07 million for fiscal year 2025-26 and $1.10 million for 2026-27 under the program's appropriation, and adds one full-time administrative position to manage the program. This legislation directly affects Wisconsin agricultural exporters benefiting from the program and the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection responsible for administering it.

Maddy summaryAB 846 increases state funding for two Wisconsin promotion programs. It adds $200,000 annually for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 to advertise the "Something Special from Wisconsin" brand and logo, and $300,000 annually for "Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin" grants. These funds, managed by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, directly support Wisconsin businesses participating in the state's marketing campaigns and local purchasing initiatives. The bill makes no new policy changes but allocates additional state appropriations to existing programs.

Maddy summaryAB 851 authorizes $25 million from the capital improvement fund to purchase agricultural conservation easements, which are agreements that limit development on farmland to preserve agricultural use. The bill creates new funding mechanisms (20.115 (7) (br) and (tb)) to reimburse costs for these easements and specifies payment procedures for the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. It directly affects landowners selling conservation easements and state agencies administering the program. The appropriation supports farmland conservation by enabling the state to acquire easements under Section 93.73. The bill repeals an outdated statute (23.197 (15)) and amends related sections to implement these funding changes.

Maddy summaryAB 852 establishes new grants for local governments to implement farmland preservation plans, including activities like updating zoning, creating farmland agreements, and monitoring compliance. It also requires the state to automatically adjust the farmland preservation tax credit for inflation annually using agricultural price data, ensuring the credit keeps pace with rising costs. These changes directly affect Wisconsin farmers who claim the tax credit and local governments (counties, cities, tribes) that receive implementation grants. The bill creates specific funding mechanisms through the working lands fund and sets eligibility criteria for grant recipients based on plan alignment and project effectiveness.

Maddy summaryAB 871 allows Milwaukee’s city government to install water, gas, sewer, and heat utility pipes (laterals/service pipes) on private property without the landowner’s permission under specific conditions. It applies only to absentee owners (non-residents) after the city makes at least three documented contact attempts, and with tenant consent for the property. Crucially, the city cannot charge property owners for these installations - the costs remain with the city. This change affects Milwaukee homeowners with vacant properties and tenants, streamlining utility upgrades while shifting financial responsibility from residents to the city.

Maddy summaryAB 845 creates a $2.5 million grant program for Wisconsin farmers to adopt sustainable practices that reduce fossil fuel use or store carbon in soil or vegetation. Eligible activities include cover cropping, solar-powered equipment, planting trees, or creating conservation plans. The program excludes land in retirement programs, commercial forests, or aquaculture, and requires applicants to first seek other available grants. The Department of Agriculture must prioritize small/medium farms, track carbon reductions, and publicly report grant details and environmental impacts annually.

Maddy summaryAB 868 requires Wisconsin's energy utility programs to dedicate at least 25% of annual energy efficiency funding toward initiatives specifically serving low-income households. The bill defines "low-income household" using an existing state definition and mandates programs that reduce energy costs and improve efficiency for these households. It also requires the Public Service Commission to evaluate these programs every four years, setting goals to prioritize reducing energy burdens and environmental impacts for low-income residents. The law directly affects low-income households by ensuring their energy needs are addressed through utility-funded programs.