Rep. Alex Joers

Maddy summaryAB 466 repeals specific statutes that previously required municipalities to include project labor agreements (PLAs) in public construction contracts for buildings and structures (excluding highways). The bill removes legal provisions allowing cities to mandate PLAs - agreements between contractors and unions covering wages, hours, and working conditions - and eliminates related requirements for contractor classification. This directly affects public contractors and municipalities when awarding bids for non-highway construction projects, as they can no longer legally require PLAs. The amendment to Section 66.0901(6) clarifies that municipalities may set reasonable labor conditions but no longer must include PLAs in contracts. The bill is currently pending in the Workforce Development Committee with fiscal estimates received.

Maddy summaryAB 643 establishes November 11 (Veterans Day) as a state holiday when all state government offices must close. It directly affects state government employees (excluding limited-term staff) by adding Veterans Day as a recognized paid personal holiday, in addition to their existing 9-10 annual paid holidays. The bill amends statutes to include November 11 in the list of holidays requiring office closures and creates a new provision specifying that employees earn one additional paid personal holiday each year specifically for Veterans Day. This change clarifies the holiday schedule and ensures Veterans Day is treated as a standard paid holiday for state employees.

Maddy summaryAB 621 prohibits virtual schools from participating in parental choice education programs. It directly affects virtual schools (defined under Section 118.076(4)(a)) that would otherwise qualify for these programs. The bill adds new requirements to statutes governing parental choice, explicitly stating that participating schools cannot be virtual schools. This change takes effect for the 2026-27 school year.

Maddy summaryAB 327 increases the empty weight limit for utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) from 3,000 pounds to 3,500 pounds under Wisconsin law. This change directly affects UTV operators and manufacturers by expanding the regulatory threshold for vehicles classified as UTVs (excluding golf carts, dune buggies, and tracked vehicles). The bill amends two sections of statutes to reflect this updated weight limit, which applies to vehicles originally manufactured with that weight capacity and designed primarily for off-highway use. The bill passed committee recommendations in November 2025 and is currently pending further legislative action.

Maddy summaryAB 589 eliminates specific abortion-related requirements from medical licensing regulations. It removes references to abortion procedures from statutes governing medical board investigations (amending §448.02) and repeals sections requiring parental consent, ultrasound disclosures, or abortion-specific definitions (like §253.10). This directly affects physicians and medical licensing boards by removing mandatory reporting obligations related to abortion care. The bill streamlines medical oversight by excluding abortion-related violations from the list of unprofessional conduct that triggers board investigations.

Maddy summaryAB 600 establishes new rules for faculty tenure and probationary appointments at University of Wisconsin System institutions. It defines "probationary appointments" as temporary positions (capped at 7 consecutive academic years, excluding approved leaves) and "tenure appointments" as permanent roles. The bill requires tenure decisions to follow a multi-step process: a chancellor's recommendation, a committee review if the academic department rejects tenure, and adherence to board-defined rules prohibiting discriminatory or irrelevant factors in decisions. It also clarifies that tenure is institution-specific and mandates procedural safeguards, including due process for dismissals, for both tenured and probationary faculty.

Maddy summaryAB 591 modifies Wisconsin's fee remission program for veterans and their dependents enrolled in the University of Wisconsin System or technical colleges. It removes outdated provisions (like sections 36.27 (3n) (bm) 2. and 39.50 (3m)) and clarifies that the state will reimburse institutions for waived tuition and fees, with proration if funds are insufficient. This directly affects veterans and dependents who qualify for fee waivers, ensuring they receive proportional reimbursement when state funds fall short. The changes take effect for students enrolled in Fall 2026.

Maddy summaryAB 611 modifies how state funding for public schools is calculated by changing the formula for per-pupil aid starting in the 2026-27 school year. It directly affects school districts receiving state funding, specifically for students in grades 9-12. The bill requires that each year's per-pupil aid amount equals the previous year's amount plus any positive annual change in a separate funding formula (s. 119.23 (4) (bg) 3) for high school students. This creates an automatic annual adjustment tied to that specific funding change, rather than using a fixed rate.

Maddy summaryAB 608 allocates $10 million annually for two years (2025-26 and 2026-27) to support student success and retention programs at University of Wisconsin System institutions and Wisconsin technical colleges. The funding, designated as a continuing appropriation, directly supports institutions in enhancing academic advising and other retention-focused initiatives. It creates new statutory provisions to channel these funds through the University of Wisconsin System and technical college district boards. The bill does not establish new programs but provides dedicated annual funding for existing student support efforts at these public institutions.

Maddy summaryAB 513 modifies Wisconsin law to clarify procedures for employment discrimination cases involving unfair honesty testing or genetic testing. It allows individuals or the department to file civil lawsuits in circuit court within 300 days of an alleged violation, with courts able to award compensatory damages and punitive damages up to specific caps based on employer size (e.g., $50,000 for businesses with ≤100 employees). The bill also establishes a process for automatic annual adjustments to these damage caps using the consumer price index. It ensures complainants receive clear notices about their right to pursue legal action after administrative decisions.