Rep. John Spiros

Maddy summaryAB 597 creates a state matching grant program that provides $25 per day per veteran to eligible housing providers who receive federal per diem payments under 38 USC 2012. It directly affects organizations housing veterans who qualify for federal per diem payments, such as veteran service nonprofits or shelters. The program funds up to 365 days per year per veteran, with quarterly payments based on the previous quarter's housing. Grants are limited to $25/day and require annual applications through the state department.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends residency requirements for people circulating nomination papers or recall petitions. It requires circulators to certify their residence (with street address if applicable) and confirms they are either a qualified elector of the state or a U.S. citizen aged 18+ who would not be disqualified from voting if they lived in the state. For recall petitions specifically, the certification must state the circulator is a qualified elector. These changes directly affect individuals collecting signatures for candidate nominations or recall efforts, ensuring circulators meet clear residency and eligibility standards before submitting petitions.

Maddy summaryAB 822 modifies Wisconsin's local roads improvement program for town road projects. It exempts projects under $65,000 from requiring registered engineer certification, sets a minimum 10-year design life for funded improvements (requiring professional review for shorter assessments), and prevents counties from contracting with towns for road work they've already estimated. The bill creates new deadlines for towns to submit applications to county facilitators and establishes committees to review funding requests. These changes directly affect towns seeking road funding, counties managing projects, and county highway commissioners handling contracts.

Maddy summaryAB 1020 designates specific highway segments in Wisconsin as "Memorial Highways" honoring eight fallen state troopers, naming each route after a trooper (e.g., STH 23 near Green Lake for Trooper Donald C. Pederson). The bill requires the state transportation department to install commemorative signs on these routes only if sufficient private contributions cover all costs - no state funds may be used. This is a purely commemorative measure with no policy changes to transportation or law enforcement, directly affecting the named highways and the troopers' families.

Maddy summaryAJR 139 is a symbolic resolution (not a law) reaffirming Wisconsin’s longstanding sister-state relationship with Taiwan, marking its 40th anniversary in 2026. It supports the U.S. Taiwan Relations Act, encourages Wisconsin to explore establishing a representative office in Taiwan to boost trade and cultural exchanges, and backs efforts to advance a U.S.-Taiwan Bilateral Trade Agreement. The resolution highlights Wisconsin’s economic ties with Taiwan, including $380 million in exports to Taiwan in 2023. It does not create new legal obligations but formally expresses legislative support for strengthening Wisconsin-Taiwan relations.

Maddy summaryAJR 142 is a Wisconsin legislative resolution celebrating Scouting America's 115th anniversary. It expresses the legislature's support for Scouting America's values and community contributions, including its emphasis on character development and volunteerism, but does not create new laws or funding. The resolution encourages Wisconsin citizens and organizations to recognize Scouting America's role in youth development and community service. It is purely symbolic, with no policy changes or direct effects on individuals or programs.

Maddy summaryAJR 132 is a commemorative resolution honoring George Meyer, former Wisconsin Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), recognizing his decades of service to conservation and public policy. It details his work on wetland protections, tribal rights negotiations, land acquisitions, and environmental advocacy during his 1993-2001 DNR leadership, without creating new laws or affecting any policies. The resolution expresses the Wisconsin Legislature's gratitude for his legacy and extends condolences to his family. As a purely ceremonial measure, it has no direct policy impact or effect on citizens or programs.

Maddy summaryAB 994 creates an expedited process for state agencies to repeal outdated regulations they no longer have legal authority to enforce. It defines "restricted agencies" as those inactive for 10+ years or delinquent in required reporting, requiring them to submit reports before proposing new rules. The bill establishes a new petition process where agencies can request the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules to approve rule repeals, bypassing standard rulemaking steps for "unauthorized" rules. This directly affects state agencies managing obsolete regulations, streamlining removal of outdated rules without full legislative review. The change aims to reduce regulatory clutter by making it easier to eliminate rules no longer legally supported.

Maddy summaryAB 742 regulates lease-purchase agreements for personal property (like furniture or appliances used at home), directly affecting consumers who rent items with an option to buy. It requires written agreements with clear disclosures, including total payments needed to own the goods, the cash-sale price, payment frequency, and terms for early purchase. The law mandates that lessors provide these details in plain language (at least 8-point type) and in the same language as any advertising. Violations allow consumers to sue for damages, but the law exempts business leases, vehicles, mobile homes, and real estate-related rentals.

Maddy summaryAJR 1 is a constitutional amendment requiring voters to present valid photo identification to cast a ballot in any election. It directly affects all voters in state elections, specifying that acceptable ID must be issued by the state, federal government, a federally recognized tribal entity, or a college/university in the state. The bill mandates the legislature to define acceptable ID types and establish exceptions, while allowing voters without ID on election day to cast a provisional ballot and submit ID later. This proposal, on second consideration after a 2023 rejection, would be submitted to voters in April 2025 if approved.