Rep. Joel Kitchens

Maddy summaryAB 300 creates a state grant program to help local law enforcement agencies purchase automated license plate reader systems (high-speed cameras that scan plates and convert data for law enforcement use). The program requires at least half of the grant funds to go to agencies in rural areas (defined as cities/towns under 20,000 population, at least 15 miles from larger cities). Agencies must submit a spending plan to the Department of Justice for review before receiving grants, which are limited to public safety and crime prevention purposes. The bill does not apply to state-level agencies or require specific outcomes, focusing solely on funding access for local rural and urban law enforcement.

Maddy summaryAB 231 creates a 25% tax credit for film production companies in Wisconsin covering eligible expenses (like wages, equipment, and location costs) and capital investments for accredited productions. It directly affects film production companies operating in Wisconsin that meet minimum spending thresholds ($50,000 or $100,000 depending on production length) and excludes news, sports, or corporate content. The bill establishes a State Film Office to administer the program, requiring accredited productions to include a state acknowledgment in the final film and mandating annual reports on credit allocations. It caps annual tax credits at $10 million statewide and $1 million per company, with strict eligibility rules and third-party audit requirements to ensure compliance.

Maddy summaryAB 286 redirects $172 million in interest earned from unused coronavirus state and local fiscal recovery funds to the general state fund. It applies to funds held under specific state appropriations (section 20.505(1)(mb)) that were not spent by the deadline. The bill transfers this interest directly to the general fund on its effective date, rather than allowing it to remain in the recovery fund. This is a procedural adjustment to reallocate existing interest earnings, not a new funding program.

Maddy summaryAJR 34 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Wisconsin's child support program on its 50th anniversary, specifically recognizing January 4, 2025 - the anniversary of the federal law that established the program. It highlights the program's impact, noting it served 341,000 children and collected $841 million in fiscal year 2023 while ranking third nationally in support collection. The resolution commends the work of county, state, and tribal child support agencies and their staff, who help enforce support orders, connect parents to services, and promote financial security for families. As a joint resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges the program's role in reducing child poverty and supporting Wisconsin families.

Maddy summaryAB 118 creates a state-funded pilot program to help farmers transition to managed grazing systems, allocating $500,000 annually from the environmental fund. The program provides grants covering technical assistance, infrastructure (like fencing and water systems), and incentives during the first three years of implementing new or improved grazing practices on marginal lands (e.g., flood-prone or steep areas). Grants are limited to $40,000 per farmer, with payments phased over three years (75% upfront, then 12.5% each subsequent year). The bill directly affects farmers adopting forage-based managed grazing and requires the Department of Agriculture to support this transition through a new staff position. It does not fund existing grazing systems, focusing only on new implementations or enhancements that improve conservation and financial outcomes.

Maddy summaryAB 27 expands eligibility for state veterans' benefits to include individuals who served in Laos supporting U.S. forces during the Vietnam War and were naturalized under the federal Hmong Veterans Naturalization Act of 2000. The bill updates state statutes to define these veterans as qualifying for property tax exemptions (under 36.27) and other benefit programs (under 38.24 and 45.01). It specifically adds them to eligibility criteria for benefits previously limited to other veteran categories. This change directly affects Hmong veterans residing in the state who meet the federal naturalization requirements. The bill passed committee unanimously and is now pending in the Rules committee.

Maddy summaryAB 303 creates a new state grant program to fund crisis intervention services for people contacting the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline from within the state. The bill requires the state department to award grants to organizations providing crisis care coordination to individuals who call or text 988. This directly affects crisis service providers that serve callers within the state's geographic boundaries. The key mechanism is a state-funded grant program administered by the department to support these organizations, ensuring consistent access to crisis care for 988 users. The bill does not change the 988 hotline's operation but provides state funding to support local crisis response services.

Maddy summaryAB 299 requires the University of Wisconsin (UW) System Board to contract with a mental health service provider for virtual counseling and support for students at UW institutions with 30,000 or fewer full-time undergraduate students (as counted April 1 annually). The services must work alongside existing campus mental health programs, operate beyond standard business hours, and include proven clinical support and licensed professionals experienced with college students. Vendors must have at least five years of higher education mental health experience and provide software enabling collaboration with campus staff. The board must annually report student usage statistics system-wide and by institution to the legislature.

Maddy summaryAB 279 creates a state grant program to help municipalities and eligible nonprofits recruit new residents from outside the state. The program provides grants (capped at $500,000 per municipality annually) to cover costs of talent recruitment initiatives, with half the funds paid upfront and the second half released only if half the target number of relocating households is met. Households must earn at least $55,000 annually, live outside the state when applying, and commit to relocating to qualify for incentives. Recipients must submit detailed semiannual reports tracking applications, approved households, costs, incomes, and economic impacts like tax revenue.

Maddy summaryAB 190 modifies state public records law to allow requesters who win partial victories to recover attorney fees. Specifically, it enables fee recovery when a government agency voluntarily releases a contested record *after* a lawsuit is filed, and a court determines the lawsuit was a substantial factor in that release. This directly affects public record requesters who successfully pressure agencies to disclose documents through litigation without a full court judgment. The bill creates a clear mechanism for fee awards in these specific scenarios, avoiding the need for a formal court order on the record's disclosure.