Rep. Will Penterman

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a law) adopted by the Wisconsin Assembly to honor Irish heritage. It formally expresses the Assembly's appreciation for Irish descendants in Wisconsin and their cultural contributions, specifically joining in the celebration of Saint Patrick's Day on March 17, 2025. The resolution acknowledges historical Irish immigration, military service (including the 17th Wisconsin Infantry), and the current Irish-American population in the state. It has no binding effect or policy changes - it is purely symbolic recognition. The resolution was adopted by the Assembly on March 13, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state agencies overseeing workforce development programs to annually track and publicly report on specific performance metrics, such as participant employment rates and earnings. The law defines these programs broadly to include job training, job placement services, and initiatives like reintegration efforts for offenders and assistance for workers facing business closures. Additionally, the bill mandates that employers planning business closings or mass layoffs provide affected employees with contact information for local workforce resources to help them find new opportunities.

Maddy summaryThis bill would have modified Wisconsin's farmland preservation tax credit rules to exclude land used for non-accessory photovoltaic solar energy systems from eligibility. Specifically, it aimed to prevent landowners from receiving tax credits for acres occupied by solar installations that are not considered secondary uses of the property. The legislation sought to apply these changes to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2023. Although the bill passed the legislature, it was vetoed by the Governor and did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill would have required public schools and private schools in Wisconsin to label their athletic teams and sports as male, female, or mixed-sex based on the sex assigned at birth. It prohibited students from participating in sports designated for the opposite sex and mandated written notice to students and parents if a team's designation changed. The legislation also established legal rights for female students to sue schools for damages if they were denied participation or faced retaliation for reporting violations. Although the bill passed the legislature, the governor vetoed it, and the state legislature did not override that veto.

Maddy summaryThis Wisconsin bill modifies the state's unemployment insurance law to improve how the department handles job search verification and fraud prevention. It allows employers to report when a job seeker declines offers, fails to attend interviews, or cannot perform available work, requiring the department to investigate these reports to determine eligibility. The legislation also establishes a legal presumption that anyone using a claimant's security credentials is acting on their behalf, while making the claimant responsible for protecting their login information and liable for benefits paid to unauthorized users. Additionally, the bill mandates that the department submit an annual report to the legislature detailing its efforts to detect and prosecute unemployment insurance fraud.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the Wisconsin married persons credit by increasing the maximum benefit amount for spouses with lower earned income. Specifically, it raises the credit limit from $480 to $870 for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2023. The change applies to married couples filing joint state tax returns where one spouse has earned income. The legislation was ultimately vetoed by the Governor and did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis Wisconsin bill proposes to lower individual income tax rates for residents in the third tax bracket while simultaneously expanding the retirement income subtraction available to retirees. The legislation would allow more retirees to exclude a larger portion of their pension and retirement account withdrawals from state taxable income, with specific provisions added for those who are permanently and totally disabled. Although the bill passed the legislature, it was vetoed by the Governor and ultimately failed to become law.

Maddy summaryThis Wisconsin bill proposes changes to the state's unemployment insurance law, specifically requiring the Joint Committee on Finance to approve certain federally authorized benefits before they are implemented. The legislation would mandate that the governor notify the committee whenever federal actions increase weekly benefit rates, total benefit amounts, or add new stipends based on unemployment eligibility. Additionally, it restricts the transfer of block grant funds between different programs unless the Joint Committee on Finance explicitly approves the move. Although the bill was amended and placed on the calendar, it ultimately failed to pass the legislature in 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill would have clarified the legal status of individuals participating in clinical research trials by explicitly stating that they are not employees of the organizations conducting the research. The legislation aimed to exempt these participants from being classified as employees for the purposes of employment-related laws, even if they receive payment, stipends, or compensation for their involvement. By defining these participants separately from employees, the bill sought to ensure that their involvement in trials does not trigger standard employment protections or liabilities. Although the bill passed the legislature, it was vetoed by the Governor and ultimately failed to become law.

Maddy summaryThis Wisconsin bill expands the state tax deduction for retirement income, allowing more people to exclude certain pension and savings withdrawals from their taxable income. It specifically increases the annual deduction limit and adds new categories of eligible payments, including those from the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Public Health Service. The legislation also clarifies the definition of disability for individuals under 65 who receive disability payments from non-retirement plans. Although the bill passed the legislature, the Governor vetoed it, and the state legislature did not override that veto, meaning the proposed changes did not become law.