Rep. Will Penterman

Maddy summaryAB 451 creates new rules for "residential tax incremental districts" (RTIDs) in cities, limiting these districts to 3% of a city's total taxable property value (down from a 12% cap for other districts). It requires RTIDs to fund only infrastructure for residential developments meeting strict size limits: single-family homes under 7,500 sq ft lots, two-family homes under 15,000 sq ft lots, and strict setbacks/sizes for homes (e.g., max 1,500 sq ft for single-story). Project costs are restricted to district-wide infrastructure (like stormwater systems), not individual lots, and must be paid from tax increments or developer financing. The bill directly affects cities creating RTIDs and developers building qualifying residential projects.

Maddy summaryAB 310 creates a state-funded grant program to help agricultural businesses reduce nutrient runoff into waterways. It provides financial assistance for farmers and ranchers to implement practices like cover cropping, precision fertilization, or manure management systems. The program aims to improve water quality by directly supporting on-farm changes that limit excess nutrients from entering rivers and lakes. (Note: As introduced, specific eligibility details and funding levels remain under review by the Agriculture Committee.)

Maddy summaryAB 30 prohibits foreign adversaries (defined as foreign governments or entities deemed a threat to U.S. security by the federal Commerce Secretary) from acquiring, owning, or holding any agricultural or forestry land in the state. It also imposes a 640-acre ownership limit for non-resident aliens, foreign corporations, and certain entities with foreign ownership. Owners exceeding these limits must divest the excess land within four years or forfeit it to the state. The bill directly affects foreign governments/entities designated as adversaries and current landowners who violate the ownership limits. It creates new enforcement mechanisms but does not apply to land acquired before July 1, 1982.

Maddy summaryAB 393 modifies restrictions on school bus drivers over 70 years old and those with certain medical conditions, allowing them to operate school buses under new medical review requirements. The bill requires school districts to implement a standardized medical evaluation process for qualifying drivers. This directly affects school bus drivers in these categories and their employers. The legislation is currently in the Assembly Transportation Committee after recent amendments.

Maddy summaryAJR 112 proposes a constitutional amendment to Article I, Section 25, explicitly defining the right to keep and bear arms as applying to security, defense, hunting, recreation, and any other lawful purpose. It states this right is "fundamental" and requires any government restriction to undergo "strict scrutiny." The amendment would directly affect all residents by altering the state constitution's firearm rights protections. If approved by voters, it would become part of the constitution, requiring future laws restricting firearms to meet the strict scrutiny standard. The bill is currently in committee after its October 2025 introduction.

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 135 requires vehicle manufacturers to provide owners and repair shops with free, unrestricted access to vehicle data (like diagnostics) and critical repair information (tools, manuals, parts specs) needed to fix cars. It prohibits manufacturers from using technological barriers (like encrypted data) or legal barriers (such as forcing owners to use dealer-approved parts) to limit repair choices. The bill directly affects car owners, independent repair shops, and aftermarket parts companies by ensuring they can access necessary information without fees or manufacturer-imposed restrictions. Manufacturers must also stop mandating specific brands of parts or tools in repair guides, though they can still recommend options with clear disclaimers. This law aims to make vehicle repairs more accessible and affordable by removing artificial barriers.

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 491 allows residential care centers for children and youth, group homes, and shelter care facilities to use video surveillance in common areas, entrances, and exits without a child’s consent, provided they inform the child and their parent, guardian, or legal custodian. Facilities must adopt a safety monitoring policy that may include such video use and are prohibited from replacing one-on-one supervision for high-risk children with video alone. Video recordings are kept confidential (not public) but may be reviewed by the department, with exceptions for public inspection mirroring existing confidentiality rules. The bill applies directly to these child care facilities and the children they serve.

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.