Rep. Joy Goeben

Maddy summaryAB 138 modifies Wisconsin Retirement System rules for retirees who return to work. It specifically allows former jailers and protective occupation retirees (who previously received retirement benefits) to opt out of rejoining the retirement system if they are rehired by a participating employer within 75 days of leaving their prior job. To qualify, they must not have a pre-existing agreement to return and must formally decline re-enrollment using a department-provided form. This change applies only to those retiring from these specific roles and does not alter other retirement eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryAB 10 creates a sales and use tax exemption for gun safes specifically designed to store firearms, excluding general gun storage items like locking cabinets or racks. This exemption applies to buyers purchasing qualifying safes, meaning they won’t pay state sales or use tax on these items. The bill amends tax statutes to explicitly list gun safes under exempt categories, ensuring retailers don’t need to collect tax for these purchases. It directly affects consumers and retailers selling purpose-built gun safes, with no impact on other firearm-related products or tax policies.

Maddy summaryAB 226 prohibits public school districts and independent charter schools from serving free or reduced-price school meals containing five specific ingredients: brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, azodicarbonamide, and red dye 3. The law applies to meals under federal programs like the National School Lunch Program and takes effect July 1, 2027. It does not restrict private vendors from serving these ingredients at school events or on school premises. The bill directly affects schools serving subsidized meals to eligible students.

Maddy summaryAB 563 requires hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to implement policies preventing exposure to surgical smoke during procedures. It mandates the use of smoke evacuation systems (equipment capturing smoke at the source) in operating rooms for any surgery likely to generate surgical smoke - defined as gaseous byproducts from tools like lasers or scalpels. Exceptions allow providers to skip the system if they determine it's unnecessary for a specific procedure. The bill directly affects healthcare facilities and surgical staff by establishing a concrete safety standard for smoke exposure.

Maddy summaryAB 603 requires tax assessors to provide property owners with written notice at least seven days before entering their real property for assessment purposes. This bill directly affects residential and commercial property owners by giving them advance written notification of an assessor's planned visit. The key provision mandates that the taxation district must deliver this written notice in advance, ensuring property owners are informed of the assessment activity before it occurs. The bill creates a new statutory requirement (70.05 (4j)) to formalize this notice period.

Maddy summaryAB 521 simplifies the process for sign owners to remove vegetation obstructing highway advertising signs. It defines a "viewing window" as a 500-foot zone along the highway where signs must remain visible, and creates a streamlined permit system for trimming or removing obstructing vegetation within this area. Existing sign owners with permits issued since 2012 can now maintain signs without new approvals (after notifying the department 15 days in advance), while new applicants must follow a 60-day permit review process. The bill also requires sign owners to remove stumps and dispose of all vegetation removed, and to compensate the department for trees (2+ inches in diameter) removed from designated "living snow fences."

Maddy summaryAB 64 creates a state income tax subtraction for eligible K-12 teachers who pay out-of-pocket for classroom supplies and materials. It allows teachers to subtract up to $300 annually from their taxable income for expenses covered under federal tax code (26 USC 62(a)(2)(D)), using the federal definition of "eligible educator." This provision directly affects teachers who incur these costs, reducing their state tax burden without requiring them to itemize deductions. The bill mirrors a federal tax break but applies specifically to Wisconsin's income tax system. The law would take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryAB 590 revises the statutory definition of "physical activity" in section 448.95(7) to include moderate or greater participation in exercise, sports, recreation, wellness, fitness, or employment activities. It specifically clarifies that "moderate participation" means activities increasing heart and breathing rates without making conversation difficult. This is a definitional change to the statutes, not a new policy affecting specific groups or programs. The bill was introduced in October 2025 and referred to the Health Committee.

Maddy summaryAB 610 creates a temporary sales and use tax exemption for firearms, bows/arrows for archery, crossbows, and ammunition sold exclusively on July 4 and during the third week of December. This exemption applies directly to retailers selling these items during those specific dates and to consumers purchasing them, removing the standard sales tax liability for these transactions. The bill adds a new provision (77.54(76)) to the tax code, explicitly listing the covered items and timeframes. It does not change year-round tax treatment but provides a limited, annual exemption for these products during the designated periods.

Maddy summaryAB 420 requires all teacher preparatory programs in the state to include student teaching consisting of full days for a full semester (or equivalent), matching the cooperating school's schedule. It directly affects teacher training programs and applicants seeking teaching licenses, including those from out-of-state programs that must meet this same student teaching standard. The bill allows limited exceptions for calendar differences between institutions and schools, and specifies that the state superintendent must accept U.S. Department of Education-recognized accreditations for program approval. The bill was referred to the Education Committee in November 2025 but was laid on the table without further action.