Rep. Dan Knodl

Maddy summaryAB 395 requires school buses to be equipped with audiovisual recording devices to capture events during transportation. This mandate directly affects school districts and bus operators, who must install and maintain the devices. The key provision specifies that the recording systems must capture both audio and visual footage inside and around the bus, with data retention and privacy safeguards outlined in the bill. The legislation focuses on enhancing transparency during student transportation without specifying additional safety outcomes.

Maddy summaryAB 494 extends Wisconsin's research income tax credit carryover period from 15 to 50 taxable years. This change allows businesses that claim the credit but cannot fully use it in a single year to carry forward unused credits for up to five decades. The policy directly affects Wisconsin businesses eligible for the research tax credit, providing greater flexibility to offset future tax liabilities. The bill primarily modifies tax code sections (71.07 and 71.28) to implement this extended carryover period.

Maddy summaryAB 675 prohibits noncompete clauses that restrict medical practitioners from working for more than 24 consecutive months after beginning employment. It also makes all noncompete agreements void if a medical practitioner’s employment is terminated by their employer. The bill applies to physicians, physician assistants, psychologists, and advanced practice nurses (including certified nurse prescribers and registered nurses). New or modified employment contracts after the law’s effective date must comply with these restrictions.

Maddy summaryAB 193 ratifies Wisconsin's participation in the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, an agreement allowing respiratory care practitioners licensed in one participating state to practice in Wisconsin without obtaining a new license. This bill amends Wisconsin statutes to recognize "respiratory care compact privileges," enabling out-of-state practitioners to work across state lines under the compact's terms. It affects respiratory care practitioners seeking to work in Wisconsin from other compact states, streamlining licensure for those already certified elsewhere. The bill does not create new practice standards but facilitates cross-state practice through existing interstate agreement terms.

Maddy summaryAB 548 creates a new special vehicle registration plate category for Wisconsin veterans awarded the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. The bill establishes a $15 fee for issuing or reissuing these plates, with excess funds deposited into the veterans trust fund. It adds this category to Wisconsin's existing system of special plates, which require specific design elements like identifying words, symbols, or colors as outlined in state statutes. This is a procedural change that expands plate options for a specific veteran group without altering existing plate designs or funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryAB 433 changes the required typeface for legal notices published in newspapers from Times New Roman to Arial. It mandates that all legal notices use a standard 6-point Arial sans-serif font with specific spacing, while allowing larger Arial sizes (up to 12-point) with proportional fee adjustments based on column area. This directly affects newspapers publishing legal notices and the agencies or individuals placing those notices. The bill repeals the previous typeface requirement and clarifies fee adjustments for non-standard font sizes.

Maddy summaryAB 207 requires clear, plain-language disclosure notices for all statewide referenda and constitutional amendments on ballots. It mandates that each notice include the full ballot text, a plain-language summary of current law, and specific explanations of how "yes" and "no" votes would affect voters - all limited to one page. These notices must be posted online 30 days before voting, included with sample ballots and absentee ballots, and published by county clerks. The bill directly affects voters by improving their access to understandable information and election officials who must implement these disclosure requirements.

Maddy summaryAB 195 clarifies rules for property transfers after death and related financial processes. It specifies that Transfer-on-Death (TOD) beneficiary designations only take effect after the owner's death, and owners can revoke these designations anytime by recording a new document meeting specific requirements. The bill also standardizes how deposits must be returned when real estate contracts are rescinded (to the seller or third-party assignee) and outlines acceptable documents for filing satisfaction of judgments. It requires property tax bills as evidence when transferring property after a person's death, streamlining documentation for county offices. These changes primarily affect property owners, real estate professionals, and court clerks handling property transfers and judgments.

Maddy summaryAB 306 sets a 60-day limit on emergency proclamations issued by local government leaders (such as mayors, county executives, or town board chairs) during crises when their governing body cannot meet promptly. It requires these proclamations to be ratified, modified, or extended only by the full governing body once they reconvene, with extensions permitted only by that body. The bill defines "chief executive officer" to include specific roles like mayors, county administrators, and village presidents. This directly affects local officials who declare emergencies, ensuring temporary emergency powers remain subject to elected oversight. The law does not create new policy but clarifies time limits for existing emergency authority.

Maddy summaryAB 212 requires out-of-state health care providers to register with the state department or credentialing board to legally offer telehealth services to patients within the state. To register, providers must hold an active, unencumbered license from another state or territory that permits similar services, provide proof of malpractice insurance, disclose disciplinary history, and designate a state agent for legal notices. The state will maintain a public online registry listing registered providers, including their out-of-state credentials, specialty, insurance details, and disciplinary history. This bill directly affects telehealth providers from other states seeking to serve patients in this state, while prohibiting them from opening local offices or offering in-person care without a full state license.