Rep. Jerry O'Connor

Maddy summaryAJR 133 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing the legislature to suspend any state agency rule through a joint resolution approved by a majority of all elected members in both houses. If enacted, the legislature could immediately halt the enforcement of agency rules (for a set period or indefinitely) without requiring governor approval or following standard lawmaking procedures. The suspension would make the rule unenforceable during the suspension period, shifting authority from agencies to the legislature regarding rule implementation. This change would require voter approval after legislative passage, as it modifies the state constitution.

Maddy summaryAJR 10 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would amend Article I, Section 18 to prohibit state or local governments from closing places of worship or banning gatherings there during a state of emergency (including public health emergencies). If approved by voters, this change would directly affect religious congregations and local officials responsible for emergency orders. The amendment would require that places of worship be treated equally with other businesses during emergencies, preventing restrictions specifically targeting them. This is a voter-approved constitutional change, not a law, and is currently awaiting submission to the November 2026 ballot.

Maddy summaryAJR 102 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would prohibit state government entities from discriminating against or giving preferential treatment to individuals or groups based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. It specifically applies to public employment, education, contracting, and administration by state or local government. If approved by voters in November 2026, it would add Section 27 to the state constitution. This is a second consideration of the same proposal previously introduced as AJR 109 in 2023. The amendment requires voter ratification and is not yet law.

Maddy summaryAB 80 would allow social workers, marriage and family therapists, and professional counselors licensed in this state to practice in other states that join the Social Work Licensure Compact without needing separate state licenses. The bill amends existing statutes to align state definitions and requirements with the compact framework, ensuring professionals certified under Chapter 457 can work across participating states. It directly affects licensed social work professionals seeking to practice in multiple states and changes how their credentials are recognized in statutes related to child welfare, mental health, and professional practice. The compact aims to streamline licensure for these professionals while maintaining state-specific standards.

Maddy summaryAB 1005 requires University of Wisconsin System institutions to base undergraduate admission decisions "predominantly" on standardized test scores like the ACT or SAT, rather than other factors. It applies to all applicants except those admitted through the guaranteed admission program. The bill amends statutes to mandate that objective test performance become the primary factor in admission decisions, effective for the 2027-28 academic year. This change directly affects prospective undergraduate students applying to UW System campuses.

Maddy summaryAB 1027 requires the state's Department of Health Services to compile and share specific data about the food stamp program (SNAP) with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) within six months of the bill's effective date. The data must cover individuals who received, are receiving, or applied for benefits under SNAP since January 1, 2020, as specified in a July 2025 USDA letter implementing a federal executive order. This law directly affects the state agency responsible for administering SNAP, mandating a formal data-sharing process with federal authorities. The bill does not change eligibility or benefits but establishes a new administrative requirement for state-federal data coordination.

Maddy summaryAB 1032 allows the Natural Resources Board to sell state-owned lands adjacent to or within one mile of commercial egg farms. This policy change directly affects state property under the Department of Natural Resources and commercial egg farms by enabling land sales to create buffers against avian flu spread. The key provision authorizes the board to sell these specific properties without requiring additional approvals under existing statutes. The bill aims to prevent disease transmission through strategic land management, focusing on concrete property transactions rather than broader regulatory changes. It passed the legislature on February 19, 2026, and is now awaiting the governor's signature.

Maddy summaryAB 903 modifies Wisconsin law regarding parental rights termination for newborns voluntarily relinquished under the safe haven law (s. 48.195). It requires the district attorney or designated official to file a petition to terminate parental rights within 30-60 days after a court finds probable cause that the parent relinquished custody. This directly affects parents who use the safe haven program and child welfare officials handling these cases, ensuring timely legal proceedings for newborns placed in care. The bill focuses on procedural timing, not policy outcomes.

Maddy summaryAB 955 limits state agencies' ability to interpret laws by requiring explicit statutory permission before creating rules that interpret statutes they enforce. It adds a new section (227.11(1m)) stating agencies cannot interpret laws without specific legislative authorization. The bill also repeals existing language that allowed broader agency interpretation authority and reorganizes related sections. This directly affects all state agencies that develop rules for enforcing or administering laws, ensuring they cannot interpret statutes without clear prior legislative permission. The change focuses on clarifying rule-making boundaries, not altering policy outcomes.

Maddy summaryAB 750 amends state rules for admitting students to technical college programs. It establishes new admission priority rules for in-state residents versus non-residents (Section 38.22(5)(a)) and creates two new options for community college districts (Section 38.22(5)(b)). Districts may now reserve program spaces for students facing hardship or participating in school-to-work programs, or for protective services training like law enforcement, firefighting, or emergency medical services. These changes give colleges flexibility to address specific student needs and workforce preparation goals within existing admission frameworks.