Rep. Dan Knodl

Maddy summaryAB 547 establishes a new Office of Medical Cannabis Regulation within Wisconsin's Department of Health Services to oversee medical cannabis programs. It defines "medical cannabis product" consistently across state laws and adds protections preventing courts from denying child custody based solely on lawful medical cannabis use or registry enrollment. The bill also updates local ordinances to clarify restrictions on marijuana possession, ensuring penalties don't apply to medical cannabis users under specific circumstances. These changes aim to create a clearer regulatory framework while addressing legal inconsistencies in existing statutes.

Maddy summaryAB 555 creates a new Class H felony charge for intentionally disarming correctional officers while they are on duty. It specifically targets individuals who take dangerous weapons, devices (as defined in §941.26), or official duty items like radios, keys, or other tools from correctional officers without consent. The law applies when these items are being carried by the officer or within their immediate presence. This bill directly affects correctional officers working in state facilities and establishes criminal penalties for interference with their safety equipment during official duties.

Maddy summaryAB 275 modifies state law to require government agencies to pay legal fees and costs when a court rules that an administrative rule is invalid (e.g., because it violates the constitution or was improperly created). It specifically directs that these costs - awarded to successful challengers - be paid from designated state funds under statutes 20.865(1)(a), (g), or (q). The bill applies to challenges involving agency rules or guidance documents and ensures fees are limited to the scope of the rule validity challenge. This change affects state agencies (who must cover costs) and individuals or groups challenging agency rules (who can recover legal expenses).

Maddy summaryAB 276 sets time limits for state agencies' "statements of scope" when creating administrative rules. It requires permanent rule statements to expire after 30 months and emergency rule statements after 6 months, preventing agencies from using expired statements to propose new rules. The bill also mandates separate statements for concurrent emergency and permanent rules and limits agencies to one rule per statement. These changes directly affect state agencies developing regulations and ensure legislative review occurs within defined timeframes. The bill does not alter rule content but streamlines the process for agency rulemaking and legislative oversight.

Maddy summaryAB 274 establishes a 7-year expiration cycle for Wisconsin administrative rules, requiring state agencies to formally request "readoption" before rules expire. It directly affects state agencies that create and maintain administrative rules, mandating they submit detailed notices to the legislature with specific information about each rule's purpose, legal basis, and compliance status. Key provisions include new requirements for readoption notices (including statements on rule compliance), a process for legislative committees to review these notices, and a schedule for expiring rules that were in effect before 2025. The bill also creates a rules procedures manual to guide agencies on drafting and legislative review. These changes streamline rule expiration and renewal while increasing transparency for lawmakers.

Maddy summaryAB 277 requires state agencies to provide detailed cost analyses for new rules that may affect businesses, local governments, or individuals. Agencies must quantify all expected implementation and compliance costs (and potential savings) over a two-year period, broken down by affected groups, and report this as a single net dollar figure. If projected costs exceed $10 million, the rulemaking process must pause until costs are reduced or offset. The bill also establishes rules for funding independent cost analyses when agency estimates vary significantly and mandates revised analyses after rule modifications. This bill aims to increase transparency around financial impacts of new regulations before they are finalized.

Maddy summaryAB 693 allows hunters in Wisconsin's designated central and southern farmland zones to offer legally taken deer to meat processing facilities in exchange for local business gift cards. The processed meat must then be provided to food distribution services (as defined by state law) that supply food pantries. This bill creates a new legal pathway for connecting hunting harvests with food assistance programs through a specific gift-card exchange mechanism. It directly affects hunters in those zones, meat processors, and food pantries receiving donated meat. The policy change streamlines how donated venison from legal hunts can reach food pantries via this structured process.

Maddy summaryAB 687 requires the state wildlife department to establish a statewide wolf population goal when wolves are not protected under federal or state endangered species laws. This law directly affects the department, hunters, and trappers by mandating a management plan that sets a specific population target. The key provision allows the department to regulate wolf hunting and trapping through licensing limits - such as restricting the number of hunters, trappers, or wolves taken - based on the established population goal. The bill does not change current protections but creates a framework for future management if wolves are removed from endangered lists.

Maddy summaryAB 689 requires gas stations in the state to display a sticker on fuel pumps showing both the federal and state motor vehicle fuel tax rates in cents per gallon. The Department of Revenue must create and distribute these 3.5-inch stickers whenever tax rates change, and pump inspectors/sealers must place them prominently on pumps during inspections. Retail fuel sellers are not liable for affixing or maintaining the stickers. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryAB 683 prohibits telecommunications providers from using equipment manufactured by entities designated as "foreign adversaries" in key network infrastructure (like cell towers or fiber lines). It directly affects telecom companies operating in Wisconsin, requiring them to stop purchasing or leasing such equipment and remove existing installations by following federal removal programs. Providers must annually certify compliance and publicly report locations of affected equipment, including replacement plans, while the state commission will publish a public map and annual report. The bill aligns with federal rules banning equipment from specific foreign entities, focusing on network security without specifying political outcomes.