Rep. Will Penterman

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes specific rights for parents and guardians regarding their children's upbringing, education, and healthcare, while creating a legal cause of action for violations of these rights. It requires schools to notify parents about controversial subjects taught in classrooms, such as gender identity or systemic racism, and grants parents the ability to opt their children out of related classes based on religious or personal convictions. Additionally, the legislation mandates that parents be informed about disciplinary actions, medical records, and school security systems, and it allows them to file complaints with school boards or sue for up to $10,000 if they believe their rights have been infringed. The law explicitly states that these provisions do not override existing court orders or authorize parents to neglect or abuse their children.

Maddy summaryThis Wisconsin bill proposes expanding the state's individual income tax brackets to apply to higher income levels. It would create two new tax tiers for single filers, heads of households, and married couples, taxing income between $14,320 and $112,500 at 4.40 percent and income above $315,310 at 7.65 percent. The legislation also includes provisions to adjust these tax brackets annually based on changes in the consumer price index to account for inflation. Although the bill passed the legislature, the Governor vetoed it, and the measure failed to override that veto.

Maddy summaryThis bill would update Wisconsin's voter registration rules to ensure that people living in certain residential care facilities and retirement homes can request absentee ballots. It also establishes a process for the state election commission to automatically restore voting rights for individuals whose previous court rulings declared them ineligible to vote, provided a later court review overturns that decision. Under the proposed changes, the commission must notify affected voters of their eligibility within three business days and provide them with the necessary forms to re-register if needed. The legislation aims to streamline administrative procedures and correct past determinations without requiring voters to navigate complex legal hurdles to regain their right to vote.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits cities, villages, towns, and counties in Wisconsin from using their own funds to pay individuals under guaranteed income programs. It defines these programs as those providing regular, unearned cash payments that recipients can use for any purpose, while explicitly excluding initiatives that require work or training. The law restricts the use of local tax revenues, shared state funds, and fees for these payments, effectively banning municipal funding for such initiatives.

Maddy summaryAB 545 proposed changes to the composition of the board of directors for Wisconsin's technical college districts. The bill aimed to adjust how members are selected or appointed to ensure broader representation within these educational institutions. Although the legislation passed the legislature, it was vetoed by the Governor and did not become law. Consequently, the original membership structure for these districts remains unchanged.

Maddy summaryThis Wisconsin bill creates a revolving loan fund to help licensed child care providers finance renovations to their facilities. The program provides interest-free loans with no repayment fees, offering up to $30,000 for in-home care providers and up to $95,000 for center-based providers. To qualify, providers must submit a business plan and financial forecast, and they must maintain enrollment of children who are not relatives of the provider. The state retains the right to terminate the loan and demand immediate repayment if the facility fails to meet enrollment requirements or if the provider becomes unable to repay the debt. Although the bill passed the legislature, the Governor vetoed it, and the state legislature did not override the veto.

Maddy summaryAssembly Bill 150 updates Wisconsin's unemployment insurance law to rename the program "reemployment assistance" and establishes a new division within the Department of Workforce Development to manage it. The bill tightens eligibility rules by requiring job seekers to make at least two direct contacts with employers each week after their first week of benefits and mandates that they post current resumes on the state's job center website. Additionally, the legislation requires claimants nearing the end of their benefits to attend reemployment counseling and ensures they are offered at least four specific job opportunities weekly, including those with temporary staffing agencies. The bill also mandates that the department immediately create rules for drug testing applicants in occupations where such testing is standard and requires the state to continue participating in federal reemployment grants.