Rep. Tara Johnson

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution formally designates October 2025 and October 2026 as "Cybersecurity Awareness Month" in Wisconsin. It does not create new laws or programs but makes an official state proclamation to highlight the importance of cybersecurity education. The resolution cites rising online threats like phishing scams and identity theft as reasons to promote public awareness. It directly affects all Wisconsin residents by encouraging broader attention to online safety practices during those months.

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 263 requires disability insurance policies and self-insured health plans to cover diagnostic breast examinations and supplemental screenings for individuals at increased breast cancer risk, as defined by National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines or breast density (per American College of Radiology standards). It mandates coverage without copays or deductibles for these specific screenings, including diagnostic exams for abnormalities and supplemental screenings for high-risk patients. The bill applies to all affected plans, ensuring coverage regardless of symptoms and prohibiting cost-sharing for these services. This directly impacts patients with dense breast tissue, family history, or other risk factors, as well as the insurers and employers offering these health plans.

Maddy summaryAB 476 creates a new legal right for employees to sue employers or co-workers for creating an "abusive work environment" that causes physical or psychological harm. It defines "abusive conduct" as repeated verbal abuse, threats, sabotage of work, or exploitation of health conditions - excluding single incidents unless exceptionally severe. Employees can seek remedies like medical costs, back pay, or front pay through a civil lawsuit filed within one year of the abusive conduct, while also prohibiting retaliation for reporting abuse or participating in investigations. The law directly affects employees experiencing such conduct and employers/co-workers who engage in it, with specific procedures requiring notification to the department for certain claims.

Maddy summaryThis bill reduces the required disability rating for veterans to qualify for the property tax credit from 100% to 70% or higher. It allows veterans with service-connected disabilities rated at least 70% to claim a credit proportional to their disability percentage (e.g., a 70% rating would yield 70% of the full credit amount). Surviving spouses of eligible veterans also qualify under these updated terms. The change directly affects veterans and surviving spouses with service-connected disabilities below 100% but at or above 70%.

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 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 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 summaryAB 578 ensures Wisconsin continues providing WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) food benefits during federal government shutdowns. It requires the state to fund these benefits at pre-shutdown levels until federal funding is restored under federal law. The bill directly affects WIC participants - mothers, infants, and young children - who rely on these nutrition services. It creates a state funding mechanism to prevent benefit disruptions during federal funding lapses, such as the October 2025 shutdown referenced in the bill. The policy change takes effect immediately but includes a repeal provision for October 2026.

Maddy summaryAB 478 repeals two existing statutes (66.0134 and 947.21) that previously prohibited state and local governments from regulating labor matters. This bill directly affects state and local government entities by removing a legal barrier that prevented them from creating their own labor regulations. The key mechanism is the simple repeal of these specific statutes, allowing governments to establish rules on issues like wages, working conditions, or union practices without violating the repealed restrictions. The bill does not create new regulations but enables governments to develop their own labor policies where they previously could not.