Rep. Joy Goeben

Maddy summaryThis bill proposed changes to how Wisconsin fills vacancies in specific executive branch offices, including the secretary of state, treasurer, attorney general, and state superintendent. Under the new rules, the governor would be allowed to appoint a permanent replacement for these positions if a vacancy occurs on or after January 1 of an election year, rather than only using a temporary provisional appointment. The appointed official would serve the remainder of the term with the advice and consent of the Senate, but the bill explicitly prohibited the governor from using a provisional appointee for these roles. Although the legislation was passed by the legislature, it was vetoed by the Governor and did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis Wisconsin bill expands the state tax deduction for retirement income, allowing more people to exclude certain pension and savings withdrawals from their taxable income. It specifically increases the annual deduction limit and adds new categories of eligible payments, including those from the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Public Health Service. The legislation also clarifies the definition of disability for individuals under 65 who receive disability payments from non-retirement plans. Although the bill passed the legislature, the Governor vetoed it, and the state legislature did not override that veto, meaning the proposed changes did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes specific rights for parents and guardians regarding their children's upbringing, education, and healthcare, while creating a legal cause of action for violations of these rights. It requires schools to notify parents about controversial subjects taught in classrooms, such as gender identity or systemic racism, and grants parents the ability to opt their children out of related classes based on religious or personal convictions. Additionally, the legislation mandates that parents be informed about disciplinary actions, medical records, and school security systems, and it allows them to file complaints with school boards or sue for up to $10,000 if they believe their rights have been infringed. The law explicitly states that these provisions do not override existing court orders or authorize parents to neglect or abuse their children.

Maddy summaryThis bill would update Wisconsin's voter registration rules to ensure that people living in certain residential care facilities and retirement homes can request absentee ballots. It also establishes a process for the state election commission to automatically restore voting rights for individuals whose previous court rulings declared them ineligible to vote, provided a later court review overturns that decision. Under the proposed changes, the commission must notify affected voters of their eligibility within three business days and provide them with the necessary forms to re-register if needed. The legislation aims to streamline administrative procedures and correct past determinations without requiring voters to navigate complex legal hurdles to regain their right to vote.

Maddy summaryThis bill, which was vetoed by the Governor, sought to change how Wisconsin taxes peer-to-peer car sharing services like Turo or Getaround. It aimed to exempt individuals who rent out their own vehicles through these platforms from local sales taxes that typically apply to commercial rental companies. The legislation would have also clarified that these private owners do not need to pay the standard vehicle sales tax again when they purchase a car specifically for sharing. Ultimately, the bill did not become law because the Governor rejected it.

Maddy summaryThis Wisconsin bill creates a revolving loan fund to help licensed child care providers finance renovations to their facilities. The program provides interest-free loans with no repayment fees, offering up to $30,000 for in-home care providers and up to $95,000 for center-based providers. To qualify, providers must submit a business plan and financial forecast, and they must maintain enrollment of children who are not relatives of the provider. The state retains the right to terminate the loan and demand immediate repayment if the facility fails to meet enrollment requirements or if the provider becomes unable to repay the debt. Although the bill passed the legislature, the Governor vetoed it, and the state legislature did not override the veto.

Maddy summaryThis Wisconsin bill defines voters who are indefinitely confined due to age, frailty, illness, or disability as eligible to automatically receive absentee ballots. It allows these individuals to apply for ballots via fax or email without needing to mail a physical application form and permits them to submit a copy of their signature instead of an original. The legislation also establishes a penalty for officials who fail to provide these ballots to eligible voters. Although the bill was passed by the legislature, it was vetoed by the Governor and subsequently failed to override that veto.