Rep. Rob Kreibich

Maddy summaryAB 519 requires courts to appoint a court-appointed advocate (guardian ad litem) for a minor child in any family court case where a nonparent (such as a grandparent or close family friend) petitions for reasonable visitation rights under statute 767.43 and has legally established standing to file the petition. This mandate applies specifically to cases involving nonparent visitation requests, ensuring the child’s best interests are represented by an independent advocate. The bill takes effect for all such petitions filed on or after its effective date, creating a new procedural requirement in family court proceedings.

Maddy summaryAB 492 creates a new Music Therapy Examining Board within the Department of Safety and Professional Services to regulate the practice of music therapy. The bill requires music therapists to register with this board (replacing previous certification requirements), mandates renewal based on maintained national certification, and sets specific renewal dates (October 1 of odd-numbered years). It defines music therapy as evidence-based use of music interventions within a therapeutic relationship but explicitly excludes diagnosing physical or mental disorders. The law also clarifies that music therapists cannot perform psychotherapy without an additional license, and it establishes penalties for unlicensed practice. This directly affects licensed music therapists seeking to legally practice in the state.

Maddy summaryAB 380 requires judges facing allegations of misconduct or permanent disability to be suspended without pay during disciplinary proceedings. It amends statutes to mandate that both final suspensions imposed by the Supreme Court for misconduct and temporary suspensions pending investigations must be without pay. The bill directly affects judges under investigation by the Judicial Commission or facing formal complaints. This policy change clarifies that judges cannot receive salary during these disciplinary processes, applying to all cases involving alleged misconduct or disability.

Maddy summaryAB 249 prohibits the abandonment of boats on state waters or adjacent land without landowner consent. It defines abandonment as leaving a boat unattended for over 7 days without intent to return, or leaving a neglected boat that poses navigation, safety, or environmental hazards. The bill requires law enforcement to issue a 30-day removal notice to owners; if not complied with, or if the boat presents an immediate hazard, authorities may remove it without notice. Violators face fines up to $10,000, up to 9 months in jail, or both, plus liability for removal costs. This directly affects boat owners who leave vessels unattended in waterways.

Maddy summaryAB 283 expands Wisconsin's business development tax credit to include specific child care costs incurred by employers for their employees. It allows businesses to claim a tax credit covering up to 15% of eligible expenses, such as capital costs to start a child care program, operational costs, reimbursements for employee child care, purchased child care slots, and contributions to dependent care flexible spending accounts. This directly affects businesses operating in Wisconsin that provide child care benefits to employees, making these costs deductible under the existing tax credit program. The bill modifies tax code sections to define these eligible expenses and sets the effective date for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryAB 389 would require California's Department of Motor Vehicles to add a visible symbol or notation on driver's licenses and identification cards to indicate veteran status for certain service members. It directly affects veterans who have received an honorable discharge or have a service-connected disability, allowing them to visibly identify their military service. The key provision mandates that the DMV create and implement this indicator on state-issued IDs, with the specific symbol to be determined by the agency. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly, having recently received a fiscal estimate and added co-authors.

Maddy summaryAB 560 prohibits municipalities from using physical drop boxes or other physical receptacles to collect voted absentee ballots in any election. Instead, the bill requires all absentee ballots to be returned exclusively by mail. This directly affects local governments that currently operate drop boxes for voter convenience. The law would eliminate a common method for returning absentee ballots, requiring voters to mail their completed ballots instead.

Maddy summaryAB 630 requires sex offenders on parole or extended supervision who cannot provide a stable address to notify the state department within 24 hours of losing that ability. If they cannot provide an address, the state department must use passive positioning tracking (like GPS) to monitor their location. This applies specifically to individuals under supervision who are unable to meet standard address reporting requirements under existing law. The bill updates registration rules to ensure continuous oversight when address information is unavailable.

Maddy summaryAB 627 modifies licensing fees for animal-related businesses in Wisconsin. It creates three new market license classes: Class A ($420 annual fee) for markets selling livestock and wild animals, Class B ($220) for livestock-only sales with limited auctions, and Class E ($280) for equine-only sales (no wild animals or non-equine livestock). The bill also establishes a $20 annual fee for each animal transport vehicle and clarifies a $150 reinspection fee for violations. These changes directly affect animal market operators, dealers, truckers, and transport vehicle owners by adjusting their required annual fees and reinspection costs.

Maddy summaryAB 624 increases penalties for distributing methamphetamine or similar drugs near homeless shelters. If someone distributes these substances within 1,000 feet of a homeless shelter (and knows or should know the location), the maximum prison sentence for that offense rises by 5 years. The bill defines "near a homeless shelter" as being on or within 1,000 feet of the shelter premises, including when the shelter is readily recognizable. This directly affects individuals convicted of drug distribution offenses in these specific locations. The policy change modifies existing sentencing rules without altering the core definition of drug offenses.