Rep. Christian Phelps

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state minimum wage schedule that gradually increases from $15 per hour in 2026 to $20 per hour by 2030, with slightly lower rates for small employers defined as those with 50 or fewer employees. It also sets specific minimum wage rates for tipped employees, which increase more slowly over the same period. Beginning in 2031, the state department of labor gains authority to adjust the minimum wage annually based on changes in the consumer price index. The bill also grants the department power to create rules for special categories of workers, including agricultural employees, students, and those with disabilities, while exempting certain types of casual employment from minimum wage requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes creating a publicly financed health care plan for Wisconsin residents and establishes a new Office of the Ombudsman for Patient Advocacy within the Department of Health Services. The ombudsman would be appointed by the health secretary to advocate for patients, and the bill creates a separate health plan fund to manage money for the program, including federal payments and donations. The legislation defines key terms like "enrollee" and "medically necessary" care, authorizes the department to seek federal waivers to implement the plan, and sets up rules for how health care providers are classified and compensated. However, the bill failed to pass in the Senate on March 23, 2026, so these changes have not been enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill would authorize Wisconsin to join an interstate compact that implements a national popular vote system for electing the president and vice president, but it only takes effect once enough states have joined to control a majority of electoral votes. Under the agreement, member states would still hold traditional statewide elections, but they would award all their electoral votes to the presidential candidate who wins the most total votes nationwide rather than the winner of their individual state. The bill also includes provisions for handling ties, certifying results, and allowing states to withdraw from the compact with certain restrictions. This legislation does not change the current Electoral College system itself but creates a legal framework for states to participate in an alternative election method if sufficient states agree to join the compact.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new basic health plan for individuals with household incomes below 200 percent of the poverty line and creates a purchase option program allowing eligible people with higher incomes to buy coverage through the state program instead of private insurance. The program would offer benefits similar to existing state coverage, include tax credits for eligible participants, and set premium rates comparable to managed care plans while requiring federal waivers to implement. It also directs the creation of a state-based insurance exchange where individuals can access these purchase options and grants officials authority to create rules needed for implementation. The bill requires a report on federal waiver status and economic analyses by March 2027 before the program can be fully launched.

Maddy summaryThis bill adjusts how Wisconsin calculates and distributes state funding for special education costs and general school aid. It modifies the reimbursement rate for special education expenses, allowing the state to distribute up to 100 percent of eligible costs rather than a lower fixed percentage. The legislation also increases the general school aid appropriation for the 2026-27 fiscal year by approximately $446 million to support public school districts. These changes directly affect school districts and the state Department of Public Instruction by altering how funds are allocated and calculated for educational programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes amending the Wisconsin Constitution to establish a presumption that people accused of crimes are eligible for pretrial release under reasonable conditions, rather than requiring them to pay cash bail. It would allow courts to deny release only if there is a reasonable basis to believe monetary conditions are necessary to ensure court appearance or protect the community, with stricter rules for violent crimes. The amendment also sets specific time limits for denying release before and after hearings for serious offenses like murder or sexual assault, while requiring courts to use clear and convincing evidence to justify keeping someone detained. This measure would shift the legal standard from requiring proof of dangerousness to prove release is unsafe, placing the burden on prosecutors to overcome the presumption of eligibility.

Maddy summaryAB 1008 clarifies eligibility for Wisconsin's child care subsidy program (Wisconsin Shares) by expanding "relative" definitions to include "like-kin" caregivers. It allows non-relatives who provide care as family (e.g., close family friends) to qualify for subsidies if they meet specific criteria, such as having a court order and receiving payments under certain statutes. The bill also adjusts income calculations for eligibility, including court-ordered support payments exceeding $1,250 monthly. This directly affects caregivers of children under 13 (or 19 if disabled) who seek child care assistance through Wisconsin Shares.

Maddy summaryAB 1023 creates a dedicated $500,000 annual appropriation (for 2025-26 and 2026-27) specifically for training and technical assistance for tribal child care providers. The bill directs the Department of Children and Families to use this funding to contract with agencies or award grants aimed at improving the quality of child care services provided by tribal organizations. This funding is separate from other child care funding streams and must be used exclusively for these tribal provider support activities. The bill directly affects tribal child care programs in Wisconsin by providing a new, dedicated resource for their professional development and operational support.

Maddy summaryAB 1029 creates Wisconsin's first state-level estate tax, applying to estates of Wisconsin residents and non-residents owning property within the state. It taxes the "Wisconsin taxable estate" (based on federal estate valuation rules, adjusted for Wisconsin-specific exclusions) at rates tied to federal tax exclusion amounts. The tax applies to transfers from decedents who were Wisconsin residents at death or to property with a "situs" (location) in Wisconsin, with specific exemptions for certain intangible property. This bill directly affects estates of Wisconsin residents and non-residents holding in-state assets, imposing tax where federal estate tax would not apply.

Maddy summaryAB 1028 authorizes Wisconsin counties and municipalities to impose a local income tax on the portion of a resident's Wisconsin taxable income exceeding $1 million for single filers, $500,000 for separately filing married individuals, or $1 million for jointly filing married couples. Localities must adopt the tax via a referendum and apply it only to taxpayers who reside, own property, or work in the jurisdiction for at least 30 days annually. The state Department of Revenue would administer the tax, with 1.75% of collected revenue funding administrative costs.