Rep. Alex Joers

Maddy summaryAJR 5 is a symbolic joint resolution directing the Governor of Wisconsin to proclaim February 2025 as Black History Month. It does not create new laws or affect any individuals or programs; it is a ceremonial recognition of the significance of Black History Month. The resolution cites historical context and highlights contributions of Wisconsin residents of African descent, but its sole effect is to formally request the Governor issue the proclamation. This is a procedural resolution with no policy impact beyond the symbolic recognition.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a law) adopted by the Wisconsin Assembly to honor Irish heritage. It formally expresses the Assembly's appreciation for Irish descendants in Wisconsin and their cultural contributions, specifically joining in the celebration of Saint Patrick's Day on March 17, 2025. The resolution acknowledges historical Irish immigration, military service (including the 17th Wisconsin Infantry), and the current Irish-American population in the state. It has no binding effect or policy changes - it is purely symbolic recognition. The resolution was adopted by the Assembly on March 13, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a refundable income tax credit designed to help Wisconsin residents offset property taxes they have paid. It directly affects individuals with household incomes under $125,000 who own or rent a principal dwelling in the state, excluding those who can be claimed as dependents by others. The credit allows eligible claimants to receive a percentage of their property taxes that exceed 4% of their household income, with the specific percentage increasing over time from 10% to 40% between 2024 and 2026. If the calculated credit amount is larger than the taxes owed, the difference is paid directly to the claimant as a refund. The legislation also sets income thresholds and limits, such as excluding nonresidents and properties assessed over $1,000,000, while requiring an appropriation to fund the payments.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the waiting period for purchasing handguns in Wisconsin by extending the time a dealer must wait before completing a sale when a background check is unclear. Under the new rules, if the state justice department cannot immediately determine if a buyer is prohibited from owning a firearm, the dealer must wait up to five working days for a final decision instead of the previous 48-hour limit. The change applies to sales occurring on or after the bill's effective date and is designed to ensure more thorough background checks for potential gun buyers.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Office of Gun Violence Prevention within the Department of Justice, led by a director appointed by the Attorney General. It establishes state policy recognizing gun violence as a public health crisis and requires the office to develop strategies that address root causes like poverty, racism, and trauma while involving community partners and health experts. The legislation mandates that the office submit a written action plan to the legislature every two years detailing how it will use a public health approach to improve safety in high-risk communities. Additionally, the bill appropriates state funds to increase the authorized staff positions needed to direct this new office.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires anyone living with or expecting a child to store firearms in a securely locked container or with a trigger lock engaged to prevent accidental access. It establishes penalties for non-compliance, starting with a misdemeanor for a first offense and escalating to a felony for repeat violations. Additionally, the law mandates that law enforcement officers wait at least seven days before arresting parents or guardians whose children were injured or killed in an accidental shooting, allowing district attorneys to consider the impact of the tragedy on the family during the decision to file charges.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $25 million fund to provide financial assistance to businesses in Wisconsin that want to open new locations or expand into vacant commercial spaces. The program allows the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to award grants to eligible for-profit businesses, while explicitly excluding nonprofit organizations from receiving funding. Eligibility rules for the grants are designed to be similar to those used in a previous 2023 initiative, giving the corporation flexibility to set specific application procedures. Although the bill was introduced to support local commerce recovery, it ultimately failed to pass during the 2024 legislative session.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the monarch butterfly as the official state butterfly of Wisconsin. It achieves this by adding a new section to the state statutes that explicitly names the monarch in this role and updating the Wisconsin Blue Book to include butterflies alongside other official state symbols. While the legislation was introduced in the 2024 session, it did not pass into law during that legislative cycle.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes changing how Wisconsin voters select candidates for U.S. Senate and House of Representatives seats by implementing a top-five primary system followed by instant runoff voting. Under the new rules, voters in the primary election would be able to rank up to five candidates of their choice in order of preference, rather than selecting a single candidate from a specific party. If no candidate receives a majority of the first-choice votes in the general election, the system would automatically rerun the election using the voters' ranked preferences to determine a winner without requiring a second election. The legislation also includes provisions to ensure voters are clearly informed about how to cast votes across different party lines and how write-in candidates are handled within this ranked-choice framework.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state program to provide loans and grants to housing cooperatives for infrastructure improvements. The funding, totaling $10 million, is intended for organizations that own residential properties used as homes by their members, including multi-family apartment complexes and manufactured or mobile home communities. Recipients can use the funds to repair or upgrade buildings, add energy-saving features, install storm shelters, or build community facilities to ensure properties remain safe and affordable. The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority will manage the program and set specific rules for how the money is awarded.