Rep. Travis Tranel

Maddy summaryAB 840 regulates data centers in the state by requiring specific operational and environmental standards. It mandates that data centers use closed-loop cooling systems (recycling water instead of using fresh water) and report annual water usage to the department. The bill also requires renewable energy facilities serving data centers to be located on-site and prohibits utility customers from paying for data center infrastructure costs. Additionally, operators must provide financial bonds for construction and restore land if projects are abandoned. These provisions directly affect all data center operators and developers in the state.

Maddy summaryAB 892 defines key terms related to digital assets and staking to clarify that these activities are not subject to the state's securities laws. The bill creates specific definitions for "digital asset," "node," "staking" (locking assets to support blockchain security), and "staking as a service" (third-party platforms enabling staking). Crucially, it explicitly states that staking and staking services "do not include" activities covered by securities regulations. This bill directly affects digital asset users, validators, and third-party staking service providers by removing regulatory uncertainty around these activities under current securities law. The bill focuses solely on definitional clarity, not on changing existing securities enforcement.

Maddy summaryAB 894 prohibits businesses from selling gift cards or certificates with expiration dates shorter than 5 years (or 5 years after reloading for reloadable cards). It bans hidden inactivity or dormancy fees unless clearly disclosed on the card, limits such fees to once per month, and requires specific fee details to be visible. Consumers can seek double damages or $200 per violation, and businesses face state penalties of $100-$10,000 per violation. The law directly affects gift card buyers and sellers, applying to all gift obligations sold after its effective date.

Maddy summaryAJR 131 is a symbolic resolution designating March 2026 as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Month in Wisconsin. It does not create new laws or funding but formally recognizes MS as a significant health issue affecting thousands in the state. The resolution encourages Wisconsin residents to learn about MS and support those impacted by the disease and their families. It was introduced by multiple legislators and co-sponsored by numerous colleagues as a gesture of awareness, not a policy change.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution formally recognizes December 25 as the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ for the Wisconsin Legislature. It expresses the legislature's acknowledgment of Christmas as a sacred day for Christians, referencing biblical events in its preamble. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws, alter policies, or affect any specific group or policy. The resolution serves only to affirm the legislature's symbolic recognition of the holiday's religious significance.

Maddy summaryAB 814 creates a sales and use tax exemption for movie theater projectors purchased by movie theaters. This directly affects movie theaters by eliminating sales tax on projector purchases, potentially reducing their operating costs. The exemption includes a revenue trigger: if tax revenues drop by $2 million due to this exemption, the state must notify lawmakers, and the exemption expires either 25 months after the bill's effective date or 3 months after the notification, whichever comes first. The bill does not change tax rates but modifies the tax code to exclude these specific equipment purchases.

Maddy summaryAssembly Joint Resolution 24 expresses the Wisconsin Legislature's support for strengthening its relationship with Taiwan. The resolution reaffirms the existing sister-state ties between Wisconsin and Taiwan and reiterates support for the federal Taiwan Relations Act. It also endorses Taiwan's pursuit of a Bilateral Trade Agreement with the United States to foster closer economic partnerships. Furthermore, the resolution advocates for Taiwan's increased participation in international organizations that impact its people's well-being.

Maddy summaryAssembly Joint Resolution 23 designates April 2025 and April 2026 as Parkinson's Disease Awareness Months in Wisconsin. This resolution aims to raise public awareness and understanding of Parkinson's disease, a chronic neurological condition.

Maddy summaryAB 120 proposes to increase the staffing of the Office of School Safety, which operates under the Department of Justice. The bill authorizes an additional 14.2 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions for the department. These new positions, funded by general purpose revenue, would become effective on October 1, 2025. The stated purpose of this increase is to support and enhance school safety initiatives.

Maddy summaryAB 159 creates a grant program to support rural creative economy development in Wisconsin. It provides competitive grants of up to $50,000 to eligible applicants - including rural cities, tribes, nonprofits, and economic development organizations - for projects like renovating public spaces, supporting public arts, and promoting local creative businesses. Applicants must secure matching funds from nonstate sources (with no more than 25% in-kind), and grants must directly benefit rural areas defined as populations under 10,000 or non-urbanized regions. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation must report on the program's effectiveness by May 2027.