Rep. Maureen McCarville

Maddy summaryAB 771 increases annual funding by $5 million for the University of Wisconsin System's freshwater collaborative for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27. This bill directly affects the University of Wisconsin System's freshwater collaborative research program by providing new state funding. The key mechanism is a specific budget appropriation added to existing funding under Section 20.285 (1) (ar). The bill does not change program requirements or create new regulations, only adjusting the financial allocation. The funding supports collaborative research on freshwater resources across the UW System.

Maddy summaryAB 765 creates a state bonding program to fund lead service line replacement for private water users connected to public water systems. It authorizes up to $274.95 million in state bonds (increasing previous limits) and allocates $200 million from bond proceeds to provide forgivable loans covering up to 50% of replacement costs for homeowners. The bill directly affects private residents with lead pipes by reducing their financial burden for replacing hazardous infrastructure. Key provisions include the new bonding authority and the specific allocation for forgivable loans to address public health concerns related to lead in drinking water.

Maddy summaryAB 756 repeals a specific statute (252.03(2j)) that granted local health officers the authority to mandate business closures to control communicable diseases. This bill directly affects local health officials, removing their existing legal power to order such closures, and impacts businesses that could have been subject to these mandates. The key mechanism is simply the removal of this statutory provision, with no new requirements or processes added. As a procedural repeal, it does not create new obligations but eliminates a specific existing authority.

Maddy summaryAB 769 creates a new grant program to fund food waste reduction pilot projects, allocating $100,000 annually for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27. The grants support projects focused on preventing food waste, redirecting surplus food to hunger relief organizations, and composting food waste. The Department of Agriculture must prioritize proposals serving low-income census tracts (below statewide median income) without grocery stores. The bill also authorizes the department to create rules for administering the program. This directly affects local pilot projects and hunger relief organizations in underserved communities.

Maddy summaryAB 777 designates the week containing November 11 (Veterans Day) as "Veterans Benefits Education Week" each year. The bill requires the governor to issue an annual proclamation highlighting veterans' entitlements during this week. This procedural measure directly informs veterans about available benefits and establishes an annual observance, with no changes to actual benefit programs. (AB 777, introduced December 17, 2025)

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (not a law) that formally recognizes November 20, 2025, and 2026, as Wisconsin’s Transgender Day of Remembrance. It does not create new policies or affect any specific group directly - it simply asks the Wisconsin Legislature to acknowledge the day through a formal proclamation. The resolution cites the purpose of memorializing transgender and nonbinary people killed due to transphobic violence and aligns with the established international observance. As a procedural resolution, it has no legal force but serves to affirm the state’s recognition of this day.

Maddy summaryAB 704 increases fees for snowmobile registration and trail use stickers in Wisconsin. It raises the public-use registration fee from $30 to $45 (with a $5 fee for political subdivisions), keeps private-use registration fee-free, and increases trail sticker fees: from $49.25 to $69.25 for exempt snowmobiles, $9.25 to $19.25 for club members meeting specific criteria, and $29.25 to $49.25 for others. The bill directly affects snowmobile owners who register their vehicles or use public trails. Key provisions include standardized fee increases and a reduced rate for members of qualifying snowmobile clubs.

Maddy summaryAB 708 extends the lifespan of tax incremental districts (TIDs) used for housing improvements by up to three years after a city pays off project costs. It directly affects cities that have established TIDs for housing development, allowing them to continue using tax increment financing beyond the district's original expiration. The bill requires cities to submit extension resolutions to the Department of Revenue and obtain joint review board approval for extensions longer than one year. This change aims to provide more flexibility for cities to complete housing projects without losing access to dedicated funding streams.

Maddy summaryAB 706 modifies Wisconsin's tax increment district (TID) rules by reducing the local tax base limit from 18% to 12% of a city's total taxable value for certain districts. It restricts residential use in mixed-use TID projects to 35% of the district area and expands allowable TID spending to include park development costs. These changes directly affect cities and towns operating TIDs by altering how they calculate tax base limits and fund eligible projects. The bill aims to clarify TID management while controlling tax impacts on non-district areas.

Maddy summaryAB 735 creates a centralized online clearinghouse for Wisconsin small businesses, requiring the state Department to compile and publish key information on a single website. The clearinghouse will include details on government contract bidding opportunities, economic development programs, business training/events, licensing/permit requirements, and tax/fee obligations from state and local agencies. This bill directly affects Wisconsin small businesses by making it easier to access government resources and compliance information in one place. The clearinghouse will be coordinated with agencies like the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and the Department of Revenue.