Rep. Alex Joers

Maddy summaryThis bill reduces the required disability rating for veterans to qualify for the property tax credit from 100% to 70% or higher. It allows veterans with service-connected disabilities rated at least 70% to claim a credit proportional to their disability percentage (e.g., a 70% rating would yield 70% of the full credit amount). Surviving spouses of eligible veterans also qualify under these updated terms. The change directly affects veterans and surviving spouses with service-connected disabilities below 100% but at or above 70%.

Maddy summaryAB 688 creates a temporary Shared Revenue Advisory Council to review and recommend improvements to how Wisconsin distributes supplemental county and municipal aid. The council, composed of legislative leaders, local association representatives, and the revenue secretary, must study revenue variations, evaluate current distribution formulas, and propose fairer methods for 2027 and beyond. It requires the council to submit recommendations by January 2027, including a formula that maintains or increases aid for all counties/municipalities and accounts for population and equalized value changes. The bill also establishes a new funding mechanism: starting in 2026, payments will adjust annually based on tax revenue changes (using $16.2575 million as the base for 2026-27) and include a population-based supplement for larger cities. This directly affects all Wisconsin counties and municipalities receiving supplemental aid under existing statutes.

Maddy summaryAB 692 organizes the administration of existing county and municipal sales taxes in Wisconsin. It creates new administrative structures for local governments to manage tax revenues collected under statutes 77.70 (counties) and 77.702 (municipalities), specifically designating 0.75% of collected tax revenue for administrative purposes. The bill requires local governments to follow specific procedures for adopting or repealing tax ordinances (e.g., submitting certified copies to the revenue secretary 120 days in advance) and limits refund claims to four years after repeal. It directly affects counties and municipalities that impose local sales taxes, ensuring consistent handling of these funds within state tax administration.

Maddy summaryAB 684 repeals and revises specific laws related to Milwaukee's fire and police department governance and a tax provision for rail projects, as originally enacted under 2023 Act 12. It modifies the appointment rules for the fire and police board (requiring political balance and 45-day appointment deadlines), mandates an annual policy review by the board, and requires a two-thirds city council vote to change department policies. The bill also clarifies that tax incentives for rail projects do not apply to Milwaukee's Lakefront Line route. These changes directly affect Milwaukee's fire and police departments, the city council, and the board of fire and police commissioners.

Maddy summaryAB 694 amends multiple state statutes to explicitly prohibit the use of eminent domain (government power to take private land) for establishing or extending recreational trails, bicycle ways, bicycle lanes, or pedestrian paths. It directly affects state agencies, counties, and cities when acquiring land for public parks, trails, or related infrastructure. The bill adds consistent language across various land acquisition statutes, banning condemnation for these specific purposes while allowing it for traditional park or trail development under other provisions. This policy change clarifies that governments cannot use eminent domain to build or expand recreational trails or bike/pedestrian pathways, though they may still acquire land for other park-related projects.

Maddy summaryAB 690 prohibits local governments (like cities and counties) from granting preferential treatment or discriminating based on race, color, ancestry, national origin, or sexual orientation in hiring employees or awarding public works contracts. The bill amends statutes to state that political subdivisions may not use these protected characteristics in employment decisions or contracting, unless required to secure federal aid. This directly affects how local governments manage their workforce and public construction projects. The law would require neutrality in these hiring and contracting processes, with no exceptions beyond federal requirements.

Maddy summaryAB 462 requires construction contractors to register with the state and comply with worker classification laws, directly affecting employers in the construction industry. It creates a whistleblower program offering 15-30% of penalties collected (up to 10% for media-sourced tips) to employees who report misclassification or tax violations, while prohibiting retaliation against reporting workers. The bill also mandates multilingual outreach to educate employers and workers about misclassification rights and anonymous reporting options. These provisions aim to increase compliance with worker classification and tax laws in the construction sector.

Maddy summaryAB 578 ensures Wisconsin continues providing WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) food benefits during federal government shutdowns. It requires the state to fund these benefits at pre-shutdown levels until federal funding is restored under federal law. The bill directly affects WIC participants - mothers, infants, and young children - who rely on these nutrition services. It creates a state funding mechanism to prevent benefit disruptions during federal funding lapses, such as the October 2025 shutdown referenced in the bill. The policy change takes effect immediately but includes a repeal provision for October 2026.

Maddy summaryAB 381 requires the state department to partner with healthcare providers (like OB/GYNs) and community health centers to educate women about perimenopause and menopause. It directs the department to create accessible informational materials covering symptoms, treatments, biological processes, when to seek care, and communication tips - distributed through healthcare providers to women identified as experiencing or nearing these stages. The materials must be available both online and in print. This bill directly affects women navigating perimenopause and menopause by providing standardized educational resources through existing healthcare channels.

Maddy summaryAB 508 repeals two sections of state law (108.04 (2) (h) and 108.04 (12) (f)) that previously prevented Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipients from receiving unemployment insurance benefits at the same time. This bill directly affects individuals who qualify for SSDI but are currently unemployed and seeking unemployment benefits. The key provision removes the legal barrier forcing these individuals to choose between disability and unemployment benefits. The change would allow them to receive both types of benefits simultaneously, effective for weeks of unemployment beginning after the bill's publication.