Rep. Janel Brandtjen

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, which did not become law, would have prohibited state and local governments in Wisconsin from restricting the use or sale of motor vehicles based on their power source, such as whether they run on electricity or gasoline. The legislation aimed to prevent officials from banning electric vehicles or favoring specific fuel types in public policies, though it allowed agencies to set their own rules for purchasing vehicles for official government use. By defining "motor vehicle" broadly, the bill sought to ensure that no governmental entity could discriminate against vehicles powered by different energy sources in general regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes specific rights for parents and guardians regarding their children's upbringing, education, and healthcare, while creating a legal cause of action for violations of these rights. It requires schools to notify parents about controversial subjects taught in classrooms, such as gender identity or systemic racism, and grants parents the ability to opt their children out of related classes based on religious or personal convictions. Additionally, the legislation mandates that parents be informed about disciplinary actions, medical records, and school security systems, and it allows them to file complaints with school boards or sue for up to $10,000 if they believe their rights have been infringed. The law explicitly states that these provisions do not override existing court orders or authorize parents to neglect or abuse their children.

Maddy summaryThis Wisconsin bill proposes expanding the state's individual income tax brackets to apply to higher income levels. It would create two new tax tiers for single filers, heads of households, and married couples, taxing income between $14,320 and $112,500 at 4.40 percent and income above $315,310 at 7.65 percent. The legislation also includes provisions to adjust these tax brackets annually based on changes in the consumer price index to account for inflation. Although the bill passed the legislature, the Governor vetoed it, and the measure failed to override that veto.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits cities, villages, towns, and counties in Wisconsin from using their own funds to pay individuals under guaranteed income programs. It defines these programs as those providing regular, unearned cash payments that recipients can use for any purpose, while explicitly excluding initiatives that require work or training. The law restricts the use of local tax revenues, shared state funds, and fees for these payments, effectively banning municipal funding for such initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis Wisconsin bill proposes allowing the Secretary of Administration to temporarily transfer employees from any state agency to the Department of Workforce Development to help manage unemployment insurance appeals. Under the plan, transferred workers would serve as appeal tribunal members for up to 120 days, with the option to extend this period if the Joint Committee on Finance approves. The legislation ensures that neither the employee's original agency nor the Department of Workforce Development can raise the transferred employee's salary during the assignment. Although the bill was passed by the legislature, the Governor vetoed it in August 2023, and subsequent attempts to override the veto failed.