Rep. Travis Tranel

Maddy summaryAB 326 creates a program providing grants to small local governments (populations under 7,500) to cover costs for grant writing and compliance assistance services. Grants up to $5,000 can be used for securing funding related to public works, transportation infrastructure, public safety, utility costs, or cybersecurity projects. The program requires a simple application listing only basic details (project purpose, contact info, and estimated costs) and prioritizes first-time applicants. A report evaluating the program must be submitted by December 2028.

Maddy summaryAB 219 creates a 50% tax credit for eligible rail infrastructure spending in Wisconsin. It directly affects Class II/III railroads operating in the state and owners/lessees of rail sidings or industrial spurs, covering both new track construction (like spurs and sidings) and track maintenance (such as rail, ties, and safety systems). The credit applies to expenditures made after December 2024, with annual limits of $5,000 per mile of track owned and $2 million per project. Unused credits can be carried forward for up to five years, and credits may be transferred to other businesses subject to Wisconsin taxes.

Maddy summaryAB 375 modifies Wisconsin's historic rehabilitation tax credit program. It extends the credit to cover rehabilitation work completed after 2025, maintaining a 20% credit on qualified rehabilitation costs (minimum $50,000) for certified historic structures and qualified rehabilitated buildings. The bill adds new certification requirements through the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and allows taxpayers to transfer unused credits to other entities subject to state taxes. This directly affects property owners and developers who rehabilitate historic buildings in Wisconsin, providing them with a tax incentive for such projects. The changes align Wisconsin's credit with federal rules while updating eligibility and claim procedures.

Maddy summaryAB 619 creates a $150 million grant program to fund aviation biofuel manufacturing projects in Wisconsin, funded through state public debt issuance. The bill requires grantees to use facilities exclusively for aviation biofuel production (with limited exceptions for other biofuels if 80% of output is aviation fuel), source 80% of biomass locally, and invest at least $1.5 billion in aviation biofuel manufacturing within five years. It directly affects companies building such facilities and the Department of Natural Resources, which administers the grants. The program aims to support the state's forest products industry and create jobs, with strict repayment terms if grantees fail to meet requirements.

Maddy summaryAB 155 designates a specific segment of U.S. Highway 12 in Lake Delton, Sauk County, as the "Tom Diehl Memorial Highway." The bill requires the state transportation department to officially mark this portion of the highway with the memorial name. This is a commemorative designation with no substantive policy changes or financial impact beyond signage. It directly affects the highway location in Lake Delton and honors Tom Diehl through the naming.

Maddy summaryAB 562 requires the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) to erect signs marking the Mississippi River Trail after municipalities along the route approve the trail's path. Once municipalities adopt resolutions supporting the trail, the DOT must notify the legislative bureau and erect signs within 18 months. The bill allows the DOT to request supplemental funding from the finance committee without needing to declare an emergency. This procedural bill directly affects local governments (through approval requirements) and the DOT (through signage implementation), focusing solely on physical trail signage.

Maddy summaryAB 679 creates a new permit system for trucks carrying grain, feed, or commercial fertilizer that exceed standard weight limits. It allows vehicles with 6 or more axles to operate at up to 91,000 pounds gross weight on state highways, provided they meet axle weight distribution rules and follow department-specified routes. The bill directly affects agricultural haulers and trucking companies transporting these materials, requiring a $325 permit for such operations. Permits are invalid on interstate highways (except as permitted by federal law) and may be suspended during spring thaw conditions. This bill does not change base weight limits but establishes a regulated pathway for heavier agricultural transport.

Maddy summaryAB 1021 requires the state department to include agricultural landowners affected by elk damage on its advisory committee. It mandates that the department remove elk causing property damage within 48 hours of receiving a notice from a landowner. The bill also exempts landowners seeking damage compensation from needing to allow hunting on their property as part of the claim process. These changes directly affect farmers and ranchers experiencing elk-related crop or property damage. The bill creates specific statutory provisions to expedite damage response and simplify compensation claims.

Maddy summaryAJR 142 is a Wisconsin legislative resolution celebrating Scouting America's 115th anniversary. It expresses the legislature's support for Scouting America's values and community contributions, including its emphasis on character development and volunteerism, but does not create new laws or funding. The resolution encourages Wisconsin citizens and organizations to recognize Scouting America's role in youth development and community service. It is purely symbolic, with no policy changes or direct effects on individuals or programs.

Maddy summaryAB 887 adds the Platteville Veteran's Memorial in Grant County to official Wisconsin state highway maps. The bill requires the memorial's location to be marked on all future highway maps published after the law takes effect. This is a procedural change that directly affects how the memorial is identified on public transportation maps, with no financial or policy impact beyond map notation.