Rep. Tara Johnson

Maddy summaryAB 608 allocates $10 million annually for two years (2025-26 and 2026-27) to support student success and retention programs at University of Wisconsin System institutions and Wisconsin technical colleges. The funding, designated as a continuing appropriation, directly supports institutions in enhancing academic advising and other retention-focused initiatives. It creates new statutory provisions to channel these funds through the University of Wisconsin System and technical college district boards. The bill does not establish new programs but provides dedicated annual funding for existing student support efforts at these public institutions.

Maddy summaryAB 469 modifies Wisconsin's unemployment insurance rules for claimants who concealed work. It repeals outdated provisions and amends Section 108.04(11)(bm) to clarify that claimants who hid work (triggering ineligibility) will not earn "waiting period credit" during their ineligibility period. Instead, if no benefit rate applies to their claim week, the department will use their next benefit year's rate to calculate any reduction. This directly affects unemployed workers who previously concealed employment when filing for benefits.

Maddy summaryAB 594 creates a state income tax subtraction for Wisconsin taxpayers who pay principal or interest on qualified education loans (defined by federal tax code). It allows a deduction of up to $5,130 for 2026, adjusted annually based on the previous year's August CPI inflation rate (rounded to the nearest $10). The subtraction excludes amounts withdrawn from college savings accounts and payments already deducted for federal income tax purposes. This policy directly affects Wisconsin residents with qualifying education loans by reducing their state taxable income.

Maddy summaryAB 482 repeals provisions that allowed cities, towns, and counties to create local family and medical leave ordinances. It directly affects local governments (like cities and counties) that previously could require employers to provide such leave, and employers in those jurisdictions. The bill amends statutes to prohibit local governments from enacting or enforcing any ordinance requiring employers to provide family or medical leave benefits, including existing ordinances in effect as of April 18, 2018. This shifts authority away from local governments to the state level for family leave policies.

Maddy summaryAB 465 revises state law to require permits for most employment of minors under 16 years old, with specific exemptions for home-based work not tied to the employer's business, nonprofit work for elderly or disabled individuals (e.g., snow shoveling), and election inspector roles. Employers must obtain and maintain these permits, and failure to produce them during inspections is considered evidence of unlawful employment. The bill also prohibits advertising for minor employment during school hours without stating the required minimum age and bans soliciting minors to leave school for work. Additionally, it removes an exception allowing minors to work during school hours with a permit, making such employment illegal.

Maddy summaryAB 474 repeals two existing statutes (103.007 and 109.09(3)) that prevented local governments from creating their own employment regulations. This change would allow cities and counties to establish their own rules on issues like minimum wage, scheduling, or workplace safety, rather than being restricted by state law. The bill directly affects local governments and employers operating within municipalities that wish to implement stricter or different employment standards than the state currently permits. It is a procedural repeal with no new provisions or funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryAB 593 amends Wisconsin statutes to clarify and strengthen collective bargaining processes for University of Wisconsin System employees covered by union contracts. It requires pay increases to align with existing compensation plans or collective bargaining agreements, prohibits closed-session negotiations for finalizing agreements, and updates funding mechanisms for grievance arbitrations and training. The bill directly affects UW System employees in unionized positions and their bargaining representatives. Key provisions include revised rules for pay adjustments, transparency in negotiation procedures, and specific appropriations for dispute resolution services under existing labor laws.

Maddy summaryAB 10 creates a sales and use tax exemption for gun safes specifically designed to store firearms, excluding general gun storage items like locking cabinets or racks. This exemption applies to buyers purchasing qualifying safes, meaning they won’t pay state sales or use tax on these items. The bill amends tax statutes to explicitly list gun safes under exempt categories, ensuring retailers don’t need to collect tax for these purchases. It directly affects consumers and retailers selling purpose-built gun safes, with no impact on other firearm-related products or tax policies.

Maddy summaryAB 641 creates a dedicated $500,000 annual appropriation for the University of Wisconsin Missing-in-Action (MIA) Recovery and Identification Project within the 2025-27 fiscal biennium. The bill directly affects Wisconsin veterans missing in action by funding their recovery and identification efforts through the University of Wisconsin System. It requires the UW Board of Regents to allocate funds annually for this mission and mandates a detailed report on findings and spending to state legislative committees, the governor, and veterans agencies. The legislation establishes a continuing funding mechanism without altering existing veterans' benefits or services.

Maddy summaryAJR 108 proposes adding a constitutional amendment to guarantee equality of rights under state law, prohibiting discrimination by state or local government based on characteristics like sex, gender identity, race, disability, religion, or other immutable traits. It would create a new right for individuals to directly sue the state or local government in court if their rights under this amendment are violated. This amendment, if approved, would establish a constitutional standard for equality and provide a legal path for people to seek remedies when state actors deny them equal treatment.