Rep. Alex Joers

Maddy summaryAB 272 amends eligibility rules for Wisconsin's Family Care program to automatically include individuals who are deaf-blind, as defined under federal law (29 U.S.C. § 1905). This change directly affects deaf-blind residents seeking Family Care services, removing the need for separate care-level assessments for this group. The bill establishes that deaf-blind status alone satisfies the "functional eligibility" requirement under existing statute. It does not alter other eligibility criteria or funding mechanisms for the program. The bill was introduced in May 2025 and referred to the Health, Aging and Long-Term Care committee.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 8) commemorates the victims of the December 16, 2024, Abundant Life Christian School tragedy in Wisconsin, specifically honoring Erin West and Rubi Vergara who died and supporting the six injured students and staff. It formally sends condolences to their families, expresses ongoing support for the school community, and condemns the violence that caused the tragedy. The resolution calls on Wisconsin residents to unite against all forms of violence but does not create new laws or allocate funding. As a symbolic gesture, it directly affects the Abundant Life Christian School community and all Wisconsin school communities impacted by violence.

Maddy summaryAJR 63 is a ceremonial joint resolution that officially designates January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025, as the "Wisconsin State Park System 125th Anniversary." It does not create new laws or policies; instead, it symbolically recognizes the 125th anniversary of Wisconsin's state park system, which began in 1900 with Interstate Park. The resolution highlights the system's role in conservation, recreation (over 20 million annual visits), and economic impact ($11.2 billion GDP, 97,000 jobs), but it has no direct effect on residents, funding, or park operations. As a procedural resolution, it serves only to honor the park system's history and contributions.

Maddy summaryAB 264 restricts veterans and surviving spouses from claiming the property tax credit for the same taxable year if they also file for certain other property tax credit programs (specifically subchapters VIII or IX, or subsections 3m or 9). It prevents duplicate claims by prohibiting the veterans' credit when related claims under other provisions are filed for the same year. The law applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2025, and directly affects eligible veterans and surviving spouses seeking property tax relief. This is a policy change clarifying eligibility rules for existing tax credit programs.

Maddy summaryAJR 38 is a ceremonial resolution that proclaims 2025 as the "Year of the Snake" in Wisconsin. It recognizes the cultural significance of the Lunar New Year and the snake symbol in Asian traditions, specifically honoring Asian American communities across the state. The resolution does not create new laws or policies; it is a symbolic gesture to celebrate cultural diversity and community connections. It directly acknowledges Wisconsin's Asian American populations, including long-time residents and recent immigrants, without imposing any requirements or changes.

Maddy summaryAB 324 amends Wisconsin law to require a 48-hour waiting period after a background check approval before a handgun can be purchased. It specifically states that a firearm dealer must wait 48 hours from the time they receive confirmation of a clean background check from the Department of Justice. For cases where the background check is unclear, the bill mandates that the Department must resolve the issue and notify the dealer within 5 working days. This bill directly affects handgun buyers and firearms dealers by changing the timing rules for firearm sales.

Maddy summaryAB 319 creates a new grant program to fund law enforcement training on extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs), allocating $700,000 annually for this purpose. It expands background check requirements for firearm purchases to include checks for temporary restraining orders or injunctions under Section 813.124. The bill amends statutes to clarify how courts and law enforcement must verify firearm prohibitions, including checking for ERPO-related orders during background checks. These changes directly affect law enforcement agencies, courts, and individuals seeking to purchase firearms in Wisconsin.

Maddy summaryAB 379 defines which state-issued identification documents qualify as valid proof for voting. It specifies that a driver's license or ID card issued by any state, meeting federal standards under the Real ID Act (P.L. 109-13), satisfies voting ID requirements. The bill does not create new voting rules but clarifies existing eligibility by adding this definition to state statutes. It directly affects voters needing to present ID at polling locations and election officials verifying ID compliance. The bill was introduced by multiple legislators and referred to the Campaigns and Elections Committee in 2025.

Maddy summaryAJR 80 is a symbolic resolution declaring May 2025 and May 2026 as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Awareness Months in Wisconsin. It does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes the impact of ALS on patients and families while promoting public awareness of the disease. The resolution highlights ALS as a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative condition with no known cure, emphasizing the importance of research and support for those affected. It directly affects Wisconsin residents by designating these months for community education and advocacy efforts focused on ALS.

Maddy summaryAJR 89 is a symbolic resolution honoring Wisconsin's Hispanic veterans, directly affecting approximately 8,500 Hispanic veterans residing in Wisconsin. The resolution recognizes their service in U.S. military conflicts from the Civil War through recent wars, noting they represent 18.4% of the armed forces and include 61 Congressional Medal of Honor recipients. It formally resolves that the Wisconsin Legislature "recognize and honor the bravery and sacrifice" of Hispanic veterans during Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15). This resolution has no funding, policy changes, or enforcement mechanisms - it is purely a ceremonial acknowledgment.