Rep. Alex Joers

Maddy summaryAJR 94 is a symbolic resolution that would officially recognize January as "Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month" across Wisconsin. It directly affects all Wisconsin residents by designating a specific month for statewide awareness efforts focused on human trafficking. The resolution has no binding legal requirements but serves as a formal declaration to encourage educational events, community outreach, and resource sharing related to human trafficking prevention during January. It does not create new laws or allocate funding.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (AJR 104) proclaims November 2025 as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month in Wisconsin. It directly encourages all Wisconsin residents to increase awareness and education about pancreatic cancer and support services for patients. The resolution cites state-specific statistics, noting pancreatic cancer caused an estimated 1,060 deaths in Wisconsin in 2025 and may become the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the state. It does not create new laws or allocate funds but aims to raise public attention through official recognition.

Maddy summaryAB 496 changes income requirements for families using state-funded private school choice programs. It raises the income limit from 2.2 times the federal poverty level to 3.0 times for most districts (previously only 2.2x applied to some districts), while maintaining the lower 2.2x limit for specific school districts. The bill also simplifies income verification by removing outdated requirements for checking family income. This affects families applying for private school choice programs, with changes taking effect for the 2026-27 school year.

Maddy summaryAB 497 requires charter schools and private schools participating in state school choice programs to follow public records and open meeting laws, but explicitly excludes student records from public access. The bill amends statutes to define these schools as "authorities" under public records law (Section 1), while adding a specific provision (Section 2) that states pupil records at these schools cannot be inspected or copied by the public. Key mechanisms include mandating compliance with Chapter 19 (Sections 4-6) for open meetings and records, but preserving privacy for student data. This directly affects families, parents, and community members seeking access to student information at participating schools. The bill does not change access to other school records or operational details.

Maddy summaryAB 175 requires owners of parking structures to hire a licensed engineer for a structural safety inspection at least once every five years, starting from the bill's effective date. Owners must submit inspection reports to their local government agency (like a city or county) and face penalties for missing deadlines, including $200 per month in fines and potential closure after 12 months. The law directly affects all parking structure owners statewide, ensuring ongoing safety checks to prevent structural failures. It does not apply to inspections already required under other existing statutes. Violations trigger mandatory reporting to state authorities and may lead to temporary closure of un-inspected structures.

Maddy summaryAB 538 requires state elected officials (such as governors, state senators, and representatives) to serve as election officials during their first full term and every three years thereafter. These officials must work at least eight hours on election day at a polling location, attend required training, and provide no compensation for this service. Officials with medical limitations may be exempt if they submit a physician's sworn statement verifying their inability to serve. The bill ensures their appointment doesn't count toward municipal staffing limits for elections. This applies to all general elections where they are not candidates on the ballot.

Maddy summaryAJR 105 is a commemorative resolution proposing to recognize September 25, 2025, as "First Amendment Day" in Wisconsin. It honors the First Amendment's protections of free speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition rights, referencing its historical role in movements like civil rights and women's suffrage. As a symbolic resolution, it has no legal effect or policy changes - it does not create new laws or alter existing rights. The resolution was introduced by multiple legislators and referred to committee for further consideration.

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.