Rep. Rob Kreibich

Maddy summaryAB 518 allows private schools participating in state parental choice programs (like voucher systems) to hire substitute teachers who hold a state-issued substitute teaching permit. Currently, these schools must employ teachers with full teaching licenses or bachelor's degrees. The bill creates a specific exception to that requirement for substitute permit holders at eligible schools. This directly affects private schools in choice programs and substitute teachers seeking positions in those settings.

Maddy summaryAB 602 requires the state department to annually submit a list of qualifying scholarship granting organizations (SGOs) to the U.S. Treasury and certify the state's authority to participate in the federal tax credit program for donations to these organizations. It mandates that the governor must decide by July 1, 2026, whether to join this federal program, which would allow residents to claim tax credits for contributions to SGOs starting in 2027. The bill directly affects state administrative processes, scholarship organizations, and donors who may qualify for federal tax benefits. It does not create new tax credits but establishes the state's procedural framework for eligibility under existing federal law (26 USC 25F).

Maddy summaryAB 225 clarifies venue rules for civil cases involving businesses. It states that courts cannot count insurers or other joined parties when deciding if a county is the proper location for a case. For businesses, the bill defines "residence" as the state or country where they were incorporated, and "substantial business" as only occurring in their main county of operation. This directly affects corporations, LLCs, and civil lawsuits where venue is contested, simplifying how courts determine case locations. The law passed in November 2025 and is now in effect.

Maddy summaryAB 168 would have updated Wisconsin's unemployment insurance law with several key changes. It required stronger identity verification for claimants filing benefits and operating a dedicated call center with extended hours during emergencies or high call volumes. The bill also mandated training materials for employers and required the unemployment department to notify lawmakers and the governor before changing fraud detection methods. This bill was vetoed by the governor on October 31, 2025, so these provisions did not become law.

Maddy summaryAB 614 clarifies teachers' authority to manage classrooms and addresses student behavior incidents. It defines key terms like "disruptive behavior" and "violent incident," requiring teachers to immediately notify school principals when removing a student for safety concerns or classroom disruptions. The bill mandates that students can only return to a classroom after removal if a behavior intervention plan is in place for serious incidents, and it prohibits school districts from retaliating against teachers who enforce classroom rules or report disruptive behavior. This directly affects teachers (by protecting their actions), students (through new placement rules), and school administrators (by requiring specific procedures for student removals). The bill passed the Assembly on November 19, 2025, with 54 votes in favor.

Maddy summaryAB 248 creates a new statutory section (17.03(10m)) clarifying how vacancies are handled in appointive state offices with fixed terms. It defines "appointive state office" to include positions in state departments, agencies, boards, commissions, and authorities (but excludes the legislature and courts). The bill specifies that when an appointee's fixed term expires, the vacancy is filled under existing procedures - without changing current rules. This is a procedural clarification, not a policy change, affecting state government appointees but not altering how vacancies are currently managed.

Maddy summaryAB 385 requires political committees and parties to collect a credit card's verification code and a U.S. billing address when accepting online credit card donations. It allows exceptions for U.S. citizens living abroad, who must instead provide their U.S. voter registration address. Financial institutions processing such payments without these verifications face fines equal to the total amount of the unverified contributions. The bill directly affects political groups and payment processors handling campaign donations.

Maddy summaryAB 923 creates a civil legal pathway for victims of sexual extortion (defined under statute 942.095) to sue for physical injury, emotional distress, or property loss. It allows victims, their parents/guardians (if minors), or estate representatives (in cases involving suicide linked to the extortion) to file lawsuits regardless of any criminal case outcome. The bill includes strong privacy protections, permitting plaintiffs to use initials instead of full names in court documents and allowing courts to issue orders shielding victims from public disclosure or unnecessary examinations. If successful, plaintiffs can recover damages for emotional distress, punitive damages, attorney fees, and other litigation costs.

Maddy summaryAB 968 would require virtual currency kiosks (machines exchanging cash for digital currency or vice versa) to obtain state licenses, display mandatory fraud warnings, and verify customer identities using government ID and photos. It sets a $500 daily transaction limit, caps fees at 3% or $5 per transaction, and mandates detailed receipts showing all transaction details. The bill directly affects kiosk operators and customers, aiming to prevent fraud through identity checks and clear transaction records. Currently under review in the Financial Institutions committee.

Maddy summaryAB 964 clarifies that online sexual extortion targeting children falls under existing law by specifying it as a violation of Section 942.095 when the victim is a child (as defined in Section 948.01). This bill directly affects law enforcement agencies investigating internet crimes against children, enabling them to issue administrative subpoenas to internet companies for relevant data without a court order. The key provision streamlines the process for obtaining evidence from online platforms in cases where children are victims of sexual extortion. It does not create new penalties but ensures these cases are explicitly covered under current statutes for investigative efficiency.