Rep. Clint Anderson

Maddy summaryAB 548 creates a new special vehicle registration plate category for Wisconsin veterans awarded the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. The bill establishes a $15 fee for issuing or reissuing these plates, with excess funds deposited into the veterans trust fund. It adds this category to Wisconsin's existing system of special plates, which require specific design elements like identifying words, symbols, or colors as outlined in state statutes. This is a procedural change that expands plate options for a specific veteran group without altering existing plate designs or funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryAB 635 requires the state environmental department to notify county health departments, tribal health departments, and county land conservation departments within 7 business days whenever groundwater protection standards or PFAS standards are exceeded. The bill creates a formal notification system to alert affected local governments and adjacent counties that might face negative impacts, with notices available for public review under state law. This law directly affects local health and land management agencies in counties where water contamination breaches are confirmed, ensuring timely public awareness of groundwater safety issues.

Maddy summaryAB 656 eliminates a legal exception that previously protected spouses from prosecution for sex crimes against child spouses. It amends statutes 948.09 (sexual intercourse with a child age 16+) and 948.093 (underage sexual activity) to remove the provision stating these laws "do not apply if the child is the defendant’s spouse." This change directly affects individuals in marriages where one spouse was a minor at the time of marriage, making spousal relationships no longer a defense for sex crimes against children. The bill also updates marriage-related provisions, including allowing minors under 18 to file for divorce (767.185) and clarifying consent requirements for minors seeking marriage licenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill (AB 354) addresses the timing of state equalization aid payments to public school districts. It does not specify new funding amounts or eligibility but focuses on adjusting when these payments are distributed. The bill was recently passed by the State Affairs Committee with unanimous support (10-0) after an amendment was adopted. As a procedural fiscal bill, it directly affects school districts receiving state funding by changing payment schedules. The exact timing changes are not detailed in the provided context.

Maddy summaryAB 607 creates new programs and modifies existing ones to address housing, homelessness, and related services in Wisconsin. It establishes a lead service line replacement program for water systems, creates an annual review process for homelessness services, and funds emergency rental assistance for households earning under 80% of county median income. The bill allocates $43 million for indigent civil legal services, $5 million for emergency rental assistance (2026-27), and $2.5 million for housing grants. These provisions directly affect low-income residents, homeless individuals, and service providers by expanding access to housing support, legal aid, and water infrastructure improvements.

Maddy summaryAJR 117 is a non-binding Wisconsin legislative resolution calling on the federal government to immediately resolve the U.S.-China trade war. It specifically highlights harm to Wisconsin’s soybean industry, noting that 16,000 farmers and a $1.3 billion sector face lost access to China - the world’s top soybean buyer - while Argentina now supplies China instead due to federal trade actions. The resolution argues that current federal priorities, including a $20 billion Argentina bailout, undermine Wisconsin farmers without addressing the trade war. As a symbolic measure, it does not change laws but urges federal action to protect the state’s agricultural economy.

Maddy summaryAB 97 extends health coverage under Wisconsin's Medicaid program (Medical Assistance) for postpartum women from 60 days to 365 days after pregnancy, directly affecting pregnant and postpartum women who qualify for the program. The bill changes eligibility rules to ensure coverage continues without regard to income changes during this extended period. It also adds a provision allowing women with family incomes above 300% of the poverty line to qualify if their income is spent on medical care or health insurance premiums. This policy update aims to provide longer-term health coverage for new mothers during a critical postpartum period.

Maddy summaryAB 263 requires disability insurance policies and self-insured health plans to cover diagnostic breast examinations and supplemental screenings for individuals at increased breast cancer risk, as defined by National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines or breast density (per American College of Radiology standards). It mandates coverage without copays or deductibles for these specific screenings, including diagnostic exams for abnormalities and supplemental screenings for high-risk patients. The bill applies to all affected plans, ensuring coverage regardless of symptoms and prohibiting cost-sharing for these services. This directly impacts patients with dense breast tissue, family history, or other risk factors, as well as the insurers and employers offering these health plans.

Maddy summaryAB 476 creates a new legal right for employees to sue employers or co-workers for creating an "abusive work environment" that causes physical or psychological harm. It defines "abusive conduct" as repeated verbal abuse, threats, sabotage of work, or exploitation of health conditions - excluding single incidents unless exceptionally severe. Employees can seek remedies like medical costs, back pay, or front pay through a civil lawsuit filed within one year of the abusive conduct, while also prohibiting retaliation for reporting abuse or participating in investigations. The law directly affects employees experiencing such conduct and employers/co-workers who engage in it, with specific procedures requiring notification to the department for certain claims.

Maddy summaryThis bill reduces the required disability rating for veterans to qualify for the property tax credit from 100% to 70% or higher. It allows veterans with service-connected disabilities rated at least 70% to claim a credit proportional to their disability percentage (e.g., a 70% rating would yield 70% of the full credit amount). Surviving spouses of eligible veterans also qualify under these updated terms. The change directly affects veterans and surviving spouses with service-connected disabilities below 100% but at or above 70%.