Rep. Rob Kreibich

Maddy summaryAB 849 amends Wisconsin statute 939.46(1m) to define "direct result" for an affirmative defense available to victims of human trafficking. The bill clarifies that victims who commit offenses (like theft or assault) to escape or prevent trafficking under s. 940.302(2) or s. 948.051 may use this defense if the offense has a logical causal connection to the trafficking violation, occurs immediately afterward, and is necessary for escape. It directly affects trafficking victims facing criminal charges for actions taken while escaping exploitation. The law removes the requirement that the trafficking violation must have been prosecuted or convicted for the defense to apply.

Maddy summaryAB 841 expands Wisconsin's sex offender registration requirements by adding specific sexual assault and child abuse crimes to the list of offenses triggering registration. It updates the legal definition of "sex offense" to include violations of statutes covering crimes like sexual assault of minors, certain predatory acts, and offenses against children under 14. People convicted of these specific crimes will now be required to register as sex offenders, with the exception that the rule applies only when the victim was a minor and the offender was not the victim’s parent. This change directly affects individuals convicted of the newly listed offenses under Wisconsin law.

Maddy summaryAB 885 limits how cities can regulate land development outside their official boundaries. It prevents municipalities from denying approval for land plats or surveys based solely on the proposed land use, unless the denial follows specific, pre-approved rules related to: (1) land use itself, (2) public improvements, (3) land division standards, or (4) annexation agreements. This directly affects developers and landowners seeking to build in areas adjacent to cities but not yet within city limits. The bill ensures cities can only block development for clearly defined reasons, not arbitrary concerns about how land might be used.

Maddy summaryAB 840 regulates data centers in the state by requiring specific operational and environmental standards. It mandates that data centers use closed-loop cooling systems (recycling water instead of using fresh water) and report annual water usage to the department. The bill also requires renewable energy facilities serving data centers to be located on-site and prohibits utility customers from paying for data center infrastructure costs. Additionally, operators must provide financial bonds for construction and restore land if projects are abandoned. These provisions directly affect all data center operators and developers in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires courts to automatically seal personal details (like names or photos) of child victims and witnesses in human trafficking cases. It prohibits public disclosure of this information unless a court holds a hearing considering the child's safety and decides disclosure serves justice. Courts must also provide necessary support services - such as private testimony rooms or emotional support - to protect the child's well-being during proceedings. These changes directly protect children involved in trafficking cases from potential harm while ensuring fair legal processes.

Maddy summaryAB 833 creates a state grant program to fund nonprofit organizations providing support services to human trafficking victims. The bill appropriates $1.25 million biennially for grants to nonprofits that coordinate with law enforcement and provide at least 50% private matching funds. Grants are capped at $125,000 per biennium for organizations offering housing services, or $50,000 for other support services like advocacy, medical care, or job training. The Department of Justice will administer the program and establish rules for grant distribution, prioritizing organizations with established law enforcement partnerships or capacity to serve large numbers of victims.

Maddy summaryAB 898 modifies birth registration rules for children born through surrogacy. It requires that birth records include the surrogate mother's information while omitting the father's details. The bill also mandates that courts can only establish parental rights for these children through adoption proceedings - unless at least one petitioner seeking parental rights is biologically related to the child. This affects how surrogacy-related birth records are processed and how courts determine parental rights.

Maddy summaryAB 894 prohibits businesses from selling gift cards or certificates with expiration dates shorter than 5 years (or 5 years after reloading for reloadable cards). It bans hidden inactivity or dormancy fees unless clearly disclosed on the card, limits such fees to once per month, and requires specific fee details to be visible. Consumers can seek double damages or $200 per violation, and businesses face state penalties of $100-$10,000 per violation. The law directly affects gift card buyers and sellers, applying to all gift obligations sold after its effective date.

Maddy summaryAB 915 creates a $400-per-employee tax credit for Wisconsin small businesses (with 1-50 employees) that offer individual coverage health reimbursement arrangements (ICHRA) to their workers. To qualify, businesses must contribute at least $400 per covered employee annually into the ICHRA, and employees must accept the arrangement. The credit reduces state income tax liability for qualifying businesses, with partnerships and LLCs required to allocate the credit to owners based on ownership shares. This policy directly affects small employers seeking to provide health benefits without traditional group plans, while requiring specific contribution levels to claim the credit.

Maddy summaryAB 906 bans foreign nationals from contributing to or influencing referendum committees that support or oppose ballot measures. It defines "foreign national" broadly to include non-citizens, foreign governments, and foreign-owned entities, and requires committees to obtain written confirmations from contributors that they are not foreign nationals and haven’t received over $100,000 from foreign sources in the past four years. Committees must also attest they haven’t accepted such funds and cannot allow foreign nationals to direct or control their activities related to referendums. The bill directly affects referendum committees, campaign finance committees, and anyone contributing to ballot measure campaigns.