Rep. Joel Kitchens

Maddy summaryAssembly Resolution 4 is a procedural bill where the Wisconsin Assembly officially proclaims its appreciation and respect for grocery and retail food employees. It encourages all citizens to join in honoring these workers for their contributions to communities and access to food.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a law) adopted by the Wisconsin Assembly to honor Irish heritage. It formally expresses the Assembly's appreciation for Irish descendants in Wisconsin and their cultural contributions, specifically joining in the celebration of Saint Patrick's Day on March 17, 2025. The resolution acknowledges historical Irish immigration, military service (including the 17th Wisconsin Infantry), and the current Irish-American population in the state. It has no binding effect or policy changes - it is purely symbolic recognition. The resolution was adopted by the Assembly on March 13, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the monarch butterfly as the official state butterfly of Wisconsin. It achieves this by adding a new section to the state statutes that explicitly names the monarch in this role and updating the Wisconsin Blue Book to include butterflies alongside other official state symbols. While the legislation was introduced in the 2024 session, it did not pass into law during that legislative cycle.

Maddy summaryThis bill would have modified Wisconsin's farmland preservation tax credit rules to exclude land used for non-accessory photovoltaic solar energy systems from eligibility. Specifically, it aimed to prevent landowners from receiving tax credits for acres occupied by solar installations that are not considered secondary uses of the property. The legislation sought to apply these changes to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2023. Although the bill passed the legislature, it was vetoed by the Governor and did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill would have exempted private individuals who sell their own cars from legal liability for accidents or violations that occur after the buyer takes possession of the vehicle. Under the proposed rules, a seller would be protected from civil and criminal claims if they properly signed over the title and both parties intended to transfer ownership, even if the official registration paperwork was not yet completed. The exemption specifically applies to private sales and excludes licensed dealers or wholesalers, while still holding sellers accountable if death or injury resulted from willful or reckless behavior. Although the legislation was passed by the legislature, it was vetoed by the Governor and did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis Wisconsin bill proposes to lower individual income tax rates for residents in the third tax bracket while simultaneously expanding the retirement income subtraction available to retirees. The legislation would allow more retirees to exclude a larger portion of their pension and retirement account withdrawals from state taxable income, with specific provisions added for those who are permanently and totally disabled. Although the bill passed the legislature, it was vetoed by the Governor and ultimately failed to become law.

Maddy summaryThis Wisconsin bill redefines the geographic boundaries of several state assembly districts to reflect population changes. It directly affects residents in counties such as Brown, Door, Kewaunee, and Outagamie by specifying which towns, cities, and census tracts belong to each district. The legislation uses precise legal descriptions, including census tract numbers and block identifiers, to map out the new district lines. Although the bill passed the legislature, the Governor vetoed it, and it did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposed changes to how Wisconsin fills vacancies in specific executive branch offices, including the secretary of state, treasurer, attorney general, and state superintendent. Under the new rules, the governor would be allowed to appoint a permanent replacement for these positions if a vacancy occurs on or after January 1 of an election year, rather than only using a temporary provisional appointment. The appointed official would serve the remainder of the term with the advice and consent of the Senate, but the bill explicitly prohibited the governor from using a provisional appointee for these roles. Although the legislation was passed by the legislature, it was vetoed by the Governor and did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis Wisconsin bill expands the state tax deduction for retirement income, allowing more people to exclude certain pension and savings withdrawals from their taxable income. It specifically increases the annual deduction limit and adds new categories of eligible payments, including those from the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Public Health Service. The legislation also clarifies the definition of disability for individuals under 65 who receive disability payments from non-retirement plans. Although the bill passed the legislature, the Governor vetoed it, and the state legislature did not override that veto, meaning the proposed changes did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill would have allowed licensed mental health professionals from other states to provide telehealth services to Wisconsin patients without needing a separate Wisconsin license, provided they held a valid license in the state where they were physically located while treating. The legislation required these out-of-state providers to inform patients about their licensing status and the ability to file complaints, and mandated that providers submit verification of their credentials to the state department within 30 days of starting practice. It explicitly excluded individuals who already held a compact license under the Interstate Mental Health Compact from these new requirements. Although the bill passed the legislature, it was vetoed by the Governor in March 2024 and subsequently failed to override that veto.