Rep. Dan Knodl

Maddy summaryAB 561 allows school buses to install and monitor cameras to record vehicles illegally passing them, and permits school bus operators or third-party vendors to submit photo or video evidence of these violations to local traffic authorities. Traffic officers can then issue citations based on this evidence, imposing fines of $30 to $500 on the vehicle owner. The bill specifies that these fines do not result in license suspension or demerit points. This law directly affects drivers who illegally pass school buses and the school bus operators or vendors reporting violations.

Maddy summaryAB 451 creates new rules for "residential tax incremental districts" (RTIDs) in cities, limiting these districts to 3% of a city's total taxable property value (down from a 12% cap for other districts). It requires RTIDs to fund only infrastructure for residential developments meeting strict size limits: single-family homes under 7,500 sq ft lots, two-family homes under 15,000 sq ft lots, and strict setbacks/sizes for homes (e.g., max 1,500 sq ft for single-story). Project costs are restricted to district-wide infrastructure (like stormwater systems), not individual lots, and must be paid from tax increments or developer financing. The bill directly affects cities creating RTIDs and developers building qualifying residential projects.

Maddy summaryAB 455 establishes a grant program to reimburse owners of multifamily housing for costs incurred when converting properties to condominiums. The program covers specific expenses like attorney fees, permitting costs, and other project-related fees. Grants are limited to $50,000 per property and a total of $10 million from the existing Main Street Housing Rehabilitation Fund. The bill requires detailed reporting on each grant awarded, including recipient information, project descriptions, and location. This directly affects multifamily housing owners seeking to convert their properties to condominiums.

Maddy summaryAB 398 requires schools, child care centers, and nursery schools to include specific information about immunization waiver processes in their enrollment or admission materials. This means parents and guardians would see clear details on how to request waivers when signing up their children, rather than learning about it later. The bill standardizes this information across all covered institutions to improve transparency. It directly affects families during enrollment and the institutions managing those applications.

Maddy summaryAB 411 would establish a "farmland link program" to connect agricultural producers with resources like land access, technical assistance, and market opportunities. The program would be administered by the Department of Agriculture, potentially using state funds identified in the fiscal estimate. This bill directly affects farmers and agricultural producers seeking support for land use and business development, with a public hearing held to gather input on its design. The proposal is still in committee review after its August 2025 introduction.

Maddy summaryAB 587 requires ticket sellers (including operators, resellers, and online platforms) to clearly display all fees during purchase and prohibits reselling tickets above face value without event operator approval. It applies to all commercial ticket resales, with small sellers earning under $10,000 annually exempt. Violations incur $1,000 fines per violation plus forfeiture of profits from illegal sales. The bill aims to increase transparency and prevent price gouging in entertainment ticket markets.

Maddy summaryAB 485 simplifies the application process for students continuing in Wisconsin's parental choice programs. It removes the requirement for parents to submit residency documentation for returning students unless their address has changed since the previous school year. The bill modifies administrative rules to streamline verification for schools, applying only to students who attended a participating private school in the prior year. This change takes effect for the 2026-27 school year.

Maddy summaryAB 463 would change the rules for people with four or more convictions for driving under the influence (DWI). If passed, it would permanently revoke driving privileges for these individuals instead of allowing a temporary work-related license after 180 days (previously available after 45 days for three convictions). The bill amends statutes to remove eligibility for occupational licenses after 180 days of revocation for those with four or more DWI convictions, while requiring ignition interlock devices for any licensed driving. This applies specifically to individuals with multiple DWI convictions, not to first-time offenders or other traffic violations.

Maddy summaryAB 329 clarifies and updates regulations for all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), utility terrain vehicles (UTVs), off-highway motorcycles, and snowmobiles. It creates new definitions for terms like "bridge," "culvert," "dune buggy," and "navigable waterway" to standardize language in traffic laws. Key provisions require ATVs to have one headlamp/tail lamp and UTVs to have two of each, prohibit operation without functioning lights, and specify rules for crossing bridges/culverts (e.g., 1,000 feet or less, with local ordinances). The bill also adds exceptions for emergency use and defines patrol vehicles used by law enforcement. This directly affects ATV/UTV operators, emergency responders, and local governments managing roadway access.

Maddy summaryAB 438 proposes changing the official title of "physician assistant" to "physician associate" across state statutes. This bill directly affects current and future physician assistants, as well as the licensing board overseeing their credentials. Key mechanisms include amending over 30 sections of law to replace "physician assistant" with "physician associate" in definitions, title usage rules, and board references. The bill does not alter practice authority or requirements - it only standardizes terminology. This is a procedural title change bill, not a substantive policy shift.