Rep. Dan Knodl

Maddy summaryAB 907 updates state lottery drawing procedures by requiring all drawings to use random selection methods (via mechanical, electrical, or computerized systems) and mandating annual independent audits. The bill repeals outdated rules and creates new requirements for the lottery department to ensure drawing randomness and security. These changes directly affect the state lottery operations, requiring them to verify processes through external audits each year. The law focuses on transparency and technical safeguards without altering lottery prizes or participation rules.

Maddy summaryAB 905 creates a new penalty for threatening healthcare providers, staff, or their family members when the threat is related to their work. It specifically targets threats made knowing the victim is a healthcare worker (current or former) or a family member, and the threat occurs in response to actions taken at a healthcare facility or by a provider acting in their official capacity. The bill defines "health care facility" and "health care provider" using existing statutory terms to clarify the scope of protection. This law directly affects healthcare workers and their families by establishing criminal penalties for targeted threats connected to their professional roles.

Maddy summaryAB 768 restricts drone operations near critical utility facilities by prohibiting flights below 300 feet within 500 feet of water reclamation plants, power plants/substations, telecom facilities, or public water systems. Exceptions allow facility owners, local governments, and commercial operators (complying with FAA rules) to operate drones for maintenance, inspections, or official business. The bill also requires law enforcement to seize drone footage during violations and transfer it to relevant local agencies for enforcement. This directly affects drone operators near these infrastructure sites while aiming to protect public safety and facility security.

Maddy summaryAB 86 amends Wisconsin law to impose a life sentence without parole for individuals convicted of child trafficking involving three or more child victims. It specifically upgrades penalties under statutes 948.051(1)(b) and 948.051(2)(b), defining child trafficking as recruiting, transporting, or exploiting children for commercial sex acts. The bill requires courts to sentence offenders to life imprisonment without parole eligibility when three or more child victims are involved, affecting both traffickers and those who benefit from such crimes. This change applies to offenses committed on or after the bill’s effective date.

Maddy summaryAB 217 raises competitive bidding thresholds for local government contracts in the state. It increases the general public work bidding threshold from $25,000 to $50,000 and the notice threshold from $5,000 to $10,000. For highway contracts specifically, it sets a $25,000 bidding threshold and $5,000 notice threshold. The bill also requires these thresholds to automatically adjust every five years based on inflation, using the U.S. Consumer Price Index. This directly affects towns and local governments when contracting for public projects above these new dollar amounts.

Maddy summaryAB 530 restricts drone operations over school properties, directly affecting anyone flying drones near public, private, or tribal schools. The bill prohibits drones over school grounds without authorization, except for specific law enforcement or emergency purposes like search/rescue, locating escaped prisoners, or preventing imminent danger. Violations carry a maximum $5,000 penalty, and evidence from drone recordings related to violations must be handled by law enforcement or correctional authorities. The law clarifies definitions for "school" and "public protective services agency" to ensure consistent application.

Maddy summaryThis bill addresses three main areas of electric utility regulation. First, it prevents electric companies from charging customers for the profits they made on power plants that have already been retired. Second, it creates a public online dashboard to track the status of applications for permits needed to build large electric generating facilities. Third, it adds requirements for new large power facilities to show they will use at least 70% of their electricity for manufacturing or mining at the same location, and to agree to pay for connecting to the public power grid. These changes directly affect electric utilities, customers who pay utility rates, and developers seeking to build new power generation projects.

Maddy summaryAB 813 amends Wisconsin's Opportunity Attraction and Promotion Program, which provides grants through the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), to allow funding for non-public events that attract national exposure or boost economic growth - such as private conferences or industry gatherings - under specific conditions. The bill creates a new provision (3)(cm) limiting such non-public event funding to 25% of annual program funds, requiring WEDC to prioritize events during tourist off-seasons or economic downturns, and banning funding for regularly scheduled events. It also mandates that applicants secure non-state matching funds equal to the grant amount and requires WEDC to submit annual reports detailing all funded projects and their projected economic impact. This directly affects event organizers and businesses applying for WEDC grants to attract major opportunities to Wisconsin.

Maddy summaryAB 453 requires counties and cities to include specific elements in their comprehensive land-use plans, such as 20-year projections of residential development (in 5-year increments) and maps showing current/future land uses, including environmentally sensitive areas. It mandates that local ordinances related to residential development must align with these plans, though density requirements (specifying minimum/maximum residential units per acre) apply only to cities, not towns or counties. The bill affects local governments by standardizing planning processes for residential growth and ensuring consistency between zoning rules and long-term land-use goals. It does not create new taxes or funding but updates existing planning statute requirements.

Maddy summaryAB 605 allows municipal solid waste facilities that received loans under Wisconsin's clean water fund program (for wastewater infrastructure) to retain a portion of environmental repair fees collected from waste disposal. Specifically, these facilities may keep fees equal to their outstanding loan principal and interest while repaying the loan, instead of paying all collected fees to the state department. The bill directly affects municipal waste facilities that have secured such loans, modifying how they handle environmental fees. This change streamlines loan repayment by redirecting fees that would otherwise go to the state. The bill amends existing statutes to create this exception without altering general fee collection requirements.