Rep. Jodi Emerson

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a one-year cooling-off period preventing former state legislators from working as lobbyists immediately after leaving office. It applies to any individual who served as a member of the legislature and prohibits their employment in lobbying roles for 12 months following the end of their term. The provision is designed to prevent potential conflicts of interest by ensuring a separation between legislative duties and lobbying activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the state's indoor smoking ban to explicitly include electronic delivery devices like vapes and e-cigarettes, as well as marijuana use. It defines "smoking" to cover inhaling or exhaling vaporized substances and requires that activated electronic devices be treated the same as traditional smoking in indoor spaces. The legislation applies to businesses and public venues that currently prohibit smoking, extending those restrictions to vaping and marijuana consumption. By clarifying these definitions, the bill ensures existing indoor smoking rules cover modern inhalation methods without requiring new enforcement mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes the Wisconsin additional child and dependent care tax credit refundable, meaning families who owe no state income tax can still receive the credit as a cash payment. It applies to tax years starting after December 31, 2023, and before January 1, 2026, allowing claimants to receive up to 100% of their federal child and dependent care tax credit. If the credit amount exceeds the taxpayer's state tax liability, the unused portion is paid directly by the state through the Department of Revenue. The legislation also includes an appropriation to fund these payments and updates related tax credit listings in state statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Wisconsin's residential tenancy laws to strengthen protections for tenants facing unsafe living conditions and retaliatory actions by landlords. It requires landlords to provide a rent abatement schedule when repairs for health or safety issues cause tenants to lose full use of their homes, while also clarifying that tenants cannot withhold all rent if they stay in the property. The legislation creates a legal presumption that certain landlord actions, such as rent increases or lease nonrenewals, are retaliatory if they occur within 12 months of a tenant exercising their rights. Additionally, it grants the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection the authority to establish specific rules for calculating rent reductions based on various conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires prescription drug manufacturers to report price increases and new drug introductions to state health officials, affecting pharmaceutical companies selling drugs in the state. Manufacturers must notify the department and insurance office at least 30 days before raising drug prices by more than 25% over two years or introducing high-cost brand-name drugs, providing justification including cost-effectiveness data and comparisons to similar medications. The law also mandates annual reports on manufacturer-sponsored patient assistance programs and price concessions given to pharmacy benefit managers, with penalties of up to $10,000 per day for noncompliance. State health officials will publish the justification documents and conduct public hearings to analyze drug pricing trends.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a grant program to help owners of mobile and manufactured home communities meet licensing standards and to assist individual homeowners with repairs and improvements. It creates a new penalty system that allows the Department of Safety and Professional Services to impose a $5,000 forfeiture annually on community owners who fail to comply with reporting or other requirements. The collected penalties are designated to fund the grant program, and unpaid forfeitures create liens on the property until resolved. The legislation defines key terms such as manufactured homes and mobile home communities to clarify who qualifies for assistance and under what rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill congratulates the U.S. Olympic Women's Ice Hockey Team for winning the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics. It specifically recognizes the team's achievements and highlights the contributions of Wisconsin athletes and staff who were part of the squad. The resolution expresses appreciation from the Wisconsin State Legislature to the players, coaches, and support staff for their success. As a ceremonial measure, the bill does not create new laws or policies but serves to honor the team's accomplishment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes statutory rights for individuals, healthcare providers, insurance companies, and manufacturers to access and provide fertility treatments without interference, while also creating a legal mechanism for enforcement through private lawsuits. It defines fertility treatment broadly to include procedures like in vitro fertilization, egg and sperm preservation, genetic testing, and related medications, requiring that services follow widely accepted medical standards. The legislation mandates that health insurance issuers cover fertility treatments and allows the state to seek federal waivers to reimburse these services through the Medical Assistance program if necessary. Additionally, it grants individuals the right to make decisions about their reproductive genetic material and establishes legal protections for providers to continue treatments they have already begun.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state-funded mentorship program to support beginning music, art, and performing arts teachers in Wisconsin. It appropriates $50,000 for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years to contract with a nonprofit organization to pair experienced mentors with new teachers. The program provides classroom guidance, resources, conference support, and materials to help new teachers succeed and prepare students for performances. The nonprofit must match the state funding and provide quarterly reports on program activities and expenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school districts in Wisconsin to ensure teachers have at least 45 minutes of daily self-directed preparation time, equivalent to one full class period. The provision applies to teachers covered by collective bargaining agreements or contracts, taking effect when those agreements expire or are modified. The legislation amends existing state statutes to mandate this preparation time as part of teachers' daily schedules.