Rep. Mike Bare

Maddy summaryAB 500 bans corporal punishment in all public and private schools, defining it as intentional physical pain used for discipline (e.g., paddling or slapping). The bill prohibits school staff from using such punishment on students but allows reasonable force for safety under new school policies. Schools must adopt policies clarifying when force is permitted, excluding individualized education programs and athletic training. This directly affects all public and private schools and their staff in the state.

Maddy summaryAB 1012 establishes a family and medical leave insurance program that would allow eligible workers to take up to 14 weeks of leave per year to care for a newborn, newly adopted child, or family member with a serious health condition, or to address certain family military needs. The bill would require employers with 50 or more employees to provide this leave, funded through a new family and medical leave insurance trust fund. It defines "family member" broadly to include spouses, domestic partners, parents, children, siblings, and other close relatives or people in close association with the employee. The legislation also sets specific limits on leave availability, including a maximum of 6 weeks for certain family situations and 8-14 weeks for combined reasons within a 12-month period.

Maddy summaryAJR 11 is a ceremonial resolution honoring the late Wisconsin State Assembly Representative Jim Soletski (2006-2010). It recognizes his career in the energy industry, service as chair of the Assembly Energy and Utilities Committee, advocacy for Native American relations, and community involvement with groups like JOSHUA. The resolution expresses the legislature's condolences to his family and extends recognition of his public service. Passed by both chambers in October 2025, it was deposited with the Secretary of State as a formal commemoration, with no policy or financial impact.

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 summaryThis bill proposes establishing an annual Education Foundation Day in Wisconsin on May 13, 2026, to recognize the role of over 350 education foundations in supporting public schools. The legislation aims to acknowledge how these foundations provide supplemental funding for programs, build community connections, and create endowments that traditional budgets cannot support. It does not create new funding or change existing laws, but rather designates a specific date to honor the contributions of these organizations. The measure was introduced in the 2026 Wisconsin Legislature but failed to advance after being referred to the Committee on Rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a public financing system for judicial campaigns in Wisconsin, allowing candidates for supreme court justice, court of appeals judge, and circuit court judge positions to receive state funding if they meet specific contribution requirements. To qualify, candidates must collect at least 1,000 qualifying contributions totaling between $5,000 and $50,000 during a designated period, and they must file detailed receipts showing each contributor's name and address. The bill also limits anonymous contributions to $5 for public financing candidates and $10 for others, requiring any excess to be donated to schools or charities. Additionally, it creates a mechanism for transferring unspent public funds to replacement candidates when a vacancy occurs, with funds reverting to the state if no replacement is filed within seven days.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a longevity bonus program for teachers in Wisconsin school districts, providing a $7,000 payment to educators who have been continuously licensed and employed by the same school board for five consecutive school years starting in the 2031-32 academic year. The program allows teachers to receive additional bonuses for each subsequent five-year period of continuous service, with school boards required to annually report eligible teacher names to the Department of Public Instruction. The legislation creates new statutory sections to authorize funding for these payments and defines eligibility requirements based on continuous licensure and employment history.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Wisconsin's Special Needs Scholarship Program to require private schools to implement individualized education programs or services plans for students with disabilities, as modified by agreement between the school and the parent. It mandates that private schools provide all records related to these program implementations within five days of receiving a request from the resident school board. The changes take effect starting with the 2026-27 school year, ensuring greater transparency and accountability in how private schools serving students with disabilities manage their educational plans.

Maddy summaryAB 847 creates a state grant program providing $1.6 million annually to counties and tribes for mental health diversion programs. These programs offer alternatives to prosecution and incarceration for low-to-medium risk individuals with mental illness who interact with the criminal justice system, including deferred prosecution and restorative justice services. Eligible programs must provide holistic treatment (mental health care, housing, employment support), avoid including violent offenders, and collaborate with courts, prosecutors, and mental health providers. Counties receiving grants must submit annual reports on program impact, including effects on jail populations and participant outcomes, and comply with state audits. The bill aims to reduce incarceration costs, improve public safety, and address mental health needs through evidence-based approaches.

Maddy summaryAB 790 creates a dedicated "Water Fund for Our Future" with an initial $250 million transfer from the general fund. The fund establishes a rapid response account to cover clean water-related costs during natural disasters or public health emergencies, including remediation and assistance for affected individuals. A new joint committee oversees fund spending, reviewing requests for funding (excluding non-clean-water uses) and recommending approvals to the finance committee. All funds must be used exclusively for clean water activities, with specific rules for disbursement and oversight.