Rep. Jill Billings

Maddy summaryAB 97 extends health coverage under Wisconsin's Medicaid program (Medical Assistance) for postpartum women from 60 days to 365 days after pregnancy, directly affecting pregnant and postpartum women who qualify for the program. The bill changes eligibility rules to ensure coverage continues without regard to income changes during this extended period. It also adds a provision allowing women with family incomes above 300% of the poverty line to qualify if their income is spent on medical care or health insurance premiums. This policy update aims to provide longer-term health coverage for new mothers during a critical postpartum period.

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 680 prohibits the sale of intoxicating hemp products to individuals under age 21. It defines "intoxicating hemp products" as those containing specific cannabinoids (like delta-8 THC) above certain thresholds (e.g., over 0.3% concentration for solids, 1mg per 12oz beverage). Retailers must verify age, use child-resistant packaging, display age warnings, and provide QR codes linking to product testing certificates. This applies only to products that can cause intoxication, not all hemp products (which remain legal with under 0.3% THC).

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 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 summaryAJR 97 designates October 2025 as "Careers in Construction Month" in Wisconsin. The resolution highlights construction as a major industry employing nearly 6% of Wisconsin's workforce and emphasizes career pathways through apprenticeships without student debt. It encourages employers, schools, and communities to host job fairs and events during that month to promote construction careers. The bill does not create new laws or affect specific individuals - it is a symbolic recognition of the industry’s role in building homes, schools, and infrastructure.

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 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.