Rep. Paul Tittl

Maddy summaryAB 368 prevents health insurance plans from requiring prior authorization for the first 12 visits of physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, or chiropractic care per treatment episode. It also eliminates prior authorization for non-drug pain management (like therapy) for chronic pain patients during the first 90 days of treatment (up to twice weekly). Health plans must explain coverage denials in plain language, apply similar copays for these therapies as for primary care, and decide on reauthorization requests within 3 business days. This bill directly affects patients seeking these services, healthcare providers, and all health benefit plans or self-insured employer health plans in the state.

Maddy summaryAB 315 modifies grant rules for Wisconsin's Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship program and land conservation efforts. It creates new provisions requiring governmental units and nonprofits to apply for funding *before* purchasing land to qualify for up to 50% of acquisition costs (reduced to 40% if applying after purchase). The bill maintains a 30% cap on additional costs covered by grants or in-kind contributions. These changes directly affect local governments and conservation groups seeking state funds to acquire land for parks, recreation, or conservation. The bill does not create new funding but adjusts eligibility and percentage limits for existing programs.

Maddy summaryAB 426 establishes clear rules for election observer access during voting and recounts. It requires election officials to designate observation areas 3-8 feet from voting tables and ensures all observers (like candidates' representatives) have uniform, nondiscriminatory access to every election stage, including absentee voting, ballot counting, and recounts. Officials who violate these rules face penalties of up to $1,000 or 90 days in jail. The bill directly affects election clerks, inspectors, and canvassers who must implement these procedures.

Maddy summaryAB 613 requires school principals to notify parents in writing within 5 p.m. the same day when a student is removed from a classroom in a way that reduces instructional time for other students (e.g., during drills). Notices must be electronic (or by mail if declined) and cannot include personal information. School principals must report annual removal counts to school boards by October 1, 2027, and school boards must submit this data to the state superintendent by December 1, starting in 2028. The law applies to all public schools and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill, AB 390, aims to provide access to original impounded birth records. However, the provided context does not include the bill's specific provisions, mechanisms, or who it directly affects. Without the full text or committee summary, concrete policy details cannot be described. The bill is still in early committee stages (referred to Children and Families Committee, with a fiscal estimate received), but no substantive changes are outlined in the given information.

Maddy summaryAB 559 creates annual payments to municipalities and counties where energy storage facilities (like batteries or pumped hydro) or liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage facilities are located. For energy storage facilities, payments equal $2,000 per megawatt of capacity, split between the local city/village/town and county. For LNG facilities, payments are based on 3-6 mills of the facility’s property value, also split between the local jurisdiction and county. The bill ensures these payments continue even if some facility units shut down, and funds come from a public utility account. It directly affects local governments hosting these facilities and utility companies owning them.

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.