Rep. Tara Johnson

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to update the legal definition of a political action committee (PAC) for campaign finance purposes in the state statutes. It would classify a group as a PAC if it spends more than $1,000 in a 12-month period on express advocacy, referendum support or opposition, or contributions to candidates, legislative committees, or political parties. The definition specifically excludes fundraising and administrative expenses from the spending calculation. This change would affect how organizations are categorized and regulated under campaign finance laws. The bill was introduced in March 2026 but failed to pass the Senate.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow corporations, cooperatives, labor organizations, and federally recognized American Indian Tribes to make contributions to segregated political funds, but only up to a total of $12,000 per calendar year. The law currently prohibits these entities from contributing to most political committees, with this change creating a specific exception for segregated funds. The bill does not permit these groups to contribute to independent expenditure committees or referendum committees. This provision would apply to both foreign and domestic corporations as well as the other specified organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Wisconsin campaign finance laws to establish specific contribution limits for individuals, committees, and political parties supporting candidates for various state offices. It sets maximum donation amounts that differ based on the office being sought, ranging from $500 for state representatives to $43,000 for governor, while also defining contribution caps for political action committees and other persons not subject to individual limits. The legislation creates new statutory sections to organize these limits and adjusts the calculation method for local office contributions based on population size, capping donations at $2,500 per jurisdiction.

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 updates Wisconsin election laws to require political committees to report specific spending details when they make mass communications, such as sending 500 or more identical emails, making 500 or more identical phone calls, or distributing 500 or more identical printed materials. It defines mass communications as messages sent during the 60 days before an election that clearly reference a certified candidate and are intended to appeal for or against their vote. Committees including political action committees, independent expenditure committees, and legislative campaign committees must file registration statements and detailed reports about these expenditures within 10 business days of making the communication or exceeding spending thresholds. The changes apply to any group supporting or opposing candidates in elections and aim to increase transparency around campaign spending on large-scale outreach efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies state election law to require disclosure of a donor's job and employer address when they contribute more than $100 to various political committees during a calendar year. The change applies to contributions made to candidates, political parties, legislative committees, action committees, independent expenditure groups, recipients, referendum committees, and recall committees. Under current rules, this information is only required for contributions exceeding $200, so the bill lowers that threshold to increase transparency in political fundraising. The amendment affects individuals who make these contributions and the committees that receive them by mandating additional reporting details.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Wisconsin's campaign finance laws by creating new definitions for mass communications, including mass distribution, mass electronic communication, and mass telephoning, each requiring at least 500 pieces of substantially identical material or messages. It modifies how coordinated expenditures are defined for express advocacy and mass communications, specifying that coordination occurs when a candidate or their party exercises control over or engages in substantial discussions regarding the content, timing, or other aspects of a communication. The legislation also establishes reporting requirements for coordinated mass communications made during the 60-day period before an election, requiring political committees to report expenditures and candidate committees to report them as contributions. These changes directly affect political action committees, independent expenditure committees, and candidates by clarifying what constitutes coordinated spending and how such spending must be reported under existing contribution limits and source restrictions.

Maddy summaryAB 1178 amends Wisconsin statutes to update definitions and procedures for regional transit authorities, ensuring they are recognized as eligible entities for various state programs including highway relocation orders, right-of-way applications, and employer classifications for employee benefits. The bill creates new funding mechanisms by establishing appropriation accounts to collect and distribute taxes imposed by transit authorities that choose to levy them, with a portion of those revenues retained for administrative costs. Additionally, the legislation clarifies which organizations qualify as municipalities and employers under existing laws, explicitly including transit authorities created under the specified chapter while excluding cultural arts districts from certain employer definitions. This bill does not mandate tax collection but provides the legal framework for transit authorities to adopt resolutions imposing taxes if they choose to do so.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates weight limit rules for vehicles transporting maple sap or syrup in Wisconsin. It allows these vehicles to carry heavier loads on certain state highways, with specific axle weight limits of 21,000 pounds per axle or 37,000 pounds for closely spaced axles, while excluding interstate highways from these relaxed limits. The changes aim to support maple producers by permitting more efficient transportation of their products from collection sites to storage or markets. The bill also includes a procedural provision exempting it from a standard transportation department review requirement.

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.