Rep. David Steffen

Maddy summaryAB 242 amends Wisconsin law to strengthen penalties for tampering with utility infrastructure. It makes it illegal to intentionally remove, damage, or interfere with telecommunication, broadband, electric power, or related wires or equipment without first giving the utility company 24 hours' notice. Violations are punishable as Class B misdemeanors (for removing structures) or Class A misdemeanors/felony (for breaking lines or making unauthorized connections). The law directly affects individuals and contractors working near utility lines, including construction crews, landscapers, and anyone modifying property where wires are attached. It includes an exception allowing work with explicit permission from the utility company.

Maddy summaryAssembly Joint Resolution 12 (AJR 12) is a commemorative resolution that honors the life and public service of Patrick Fuller, who served as the Assembly Chief Clerk. The resolution expresses the Wisconsin State Legislature's condolences to his family and friends.

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 aimed to update the rules for paying to access the official voter registration list. It allowed individuals to request an electronic copy of the list for a fee set by the state commission, capped at $250. The legislation also permitted an additional charge to cover the costs of printing and mailing a physical copy of the list. Although the bill passed the legislature, the Governor vetoed it, and it 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 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 bill proposed changes to how Wisconsin fills vacancies in specific executive branch offices, including the secretary of state, treasurer, attorney general, and state superintendent. Under the new rules, the governor would be allowed to appoint a permanent replacement for these positions if a vacancy occurs on or after January 1 of an election year, rather than only using a temporary provisional appointment. The appointed official would serve the remainder of the term with the advice and consent of the Senate, but the bill explicitly prohibited the governor from using a provisional appointee for these roles. Although the legislation was passed by the legislature, it was vetoed by the Governor and did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis Wisconsin bill updates election procedures to address absentee ballot handling and fraud prevention. It requires absentee ballot certificates to include specific elector information and mandates that ballots be placed in unsealed envelopes with the clerk's details printed on them. The legislation also allows employees of residential care facilities to serve as personal care voting assistants during public health emergencies. Additionally, it clarifies rules for appointing election officials and establishes penalties for election fraud.

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.