Rep. Dean Kaufert

Maddy summaryAJR 87 is a Wisconsin legislative resolution designating August and October 2025 as "Agent Orange Awareness Months" in the state. It aims to raise public awareness about the health impacts of Agent Orange exposure on Vietnam War veterans and their families, including conditions like cancer, diabetes, and genetic issues. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but formally recognizes this issue through symbolic designation. It was introduced by multiple legislators and referred to committee, pending further action.

Maddy summaryAB 199 changes reimbursement rates for ambulance services under Wisconsin's Medical Assistance program (state Medicaid) when patients are not transported to a facility. Starting January 1, 2027, the state will increase payments for "ambulance response and treatment, no transport" (code A0998) to match the rate for transport services (code A0429), directly benefiting ambulance providers. The bill also requires the Department of Health Services to annually report by September 15 on how national changes to emergency medical responder scope of practice may affect training in Wisconsin. These provisions specifically impact ambulance service providers, state health officials, and the Medical Assistance program.

Maddy summaryAB 309 creates legal immunity for Wisconsin 911 call centers and dispatchers who transfer callers to the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (or its successor number). The bill shields these entities from civil lawsuits related to outcomes of such transfers, unless the injury resulted from the dispatcher's gross negligence or willful misconduct. This directly affects public safety answering points statewide by reducing liability risks when connecting individuals in crisis to the 988 service. The law defines "national crisis hotline" as 988 or its successor under federal program 42 USC 290bb-36c.

Maddy summaryAB 561 allows school buses to install and monitor cameras to record vehicles illegally passing them, and permits school bus operators or third-party vendors to submit photo or video evidence of these violations to local traffic authorities. Traffic officers can then issue citations based on this evidence, imposing fines of $30 to $500 on the vehicle owner. The bill specifies that these fines do not result in license suspension or demerit points. This law directly affects drivers who illegally pass school buses and the school bus operators or vendors reporting violations.

Maddy summaryAB 128 requires specific first responders - including firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel, correctional officers, and conservation wardens - to complete training on recognizing severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), safely storing and administering epinephrine delivery systems, and following up after use. The bill mandates that all qualifying first responders must have an epinephrine delivery system available during duty and be trained on all required subjects. The state department must compile and maintain a list of approved training organizations and may distribute epinephrine systems using existing funds. This legislation directly affects over 30,000 first responders across multiple agencies who respond to medical emergencies.

Maddy summaryAJR 78 is a joint resolution that directs the Wisconsin legislature to officially proclaim June 12, 2025, as "Women Veterans Day" in the state. It recognizes the historical significance of June 12, 1948 - the date President Truman signed the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act - and highlights Wisconsin’s 29,000+ women veterans, who represent about 10% of the state’s veteran population. The resolution aims to honor women veterans’ service and sacrifices, acknowledging their growing demographic presence and unique challenges like higher rates of PTSD and unemployment compared to male veterans. This is a symbolic recognition with no new policy or funding changes.

Maddy summaryAB 329 clarifies and updates regulations for all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), utility terrain vehicles (UTVs), off-highway motorcycles, and snowmobiles. It creates new definitions for terms like "bridge," "culvert," "dune buggy," and "navigable waterway" to standardize language in traffic laws. Key provisions require ATVs to have one headlamp/tail lamp and UTVs to have two of each, prohibit operation without functioning lights, and specify rules for crossing bridges/culverts (e.g., 1,000 feet or less, with local ordinances). The bill also adds exceptions for emergency use and defines patrol vehicles used by law enforcement. This directly affects ATV/UTV operators, emergency responders, and local governments managing roadway access.

Maddy summaryAB 283 expands Wisconsin's business development tax credit to include specific child care costs incurred by employers for their employees. It allows businesses to claim a tax credit covering up to 15% of eligible expenses, such as capital costs to start a child care program, operational costs, reimbursements for employee child care, purchased child care slots, and contributions to dependent care flexible spending accounts. This directly affects businesses operating in Wisconsin that provide child care benefits to employees, making these costs deductible under the existing tax credit program. The bill modifies tax code sections to define these eligible expenses and sets the effective date for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryAB 327 increases the empty weight limit for utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) from 3,000 pounds to 3,500 pounds under Wisconsin law. This change directly affects UTV operators and manufacturers by expanding the regulatory threshold for vehicles classified as UTVs (excluding golf carts, dune buggies, and tracked vehicles). The bill amends two sections of statutes to reflect this updated weight limit, which applies to vehicles originally manufactured with that weight capacity and designed primarily for off-highway use. The bill passed committee recommendations in November 2025 and is currently pending further legislative action.

Maddy summaryAB 322 designates the monarch butterfly as Wisconsin's official state butterfly. The bill adds a specific statutory provision (1.10(3)(w)) stating "The monarch butterfly is the state butterfly" and amends another section to include "butterfly" in the list of symbols featured in the Wisconsin Blue Book. This symbolic designation directly affects all Wisconsin residents by formally recognizing the monarch butterfly as a state emblem. The bill does not create new regulations or impact any policies - its sole purpose is to establish a ceremonial state symbol.