Rep. Dave Murphy

Maddy summaryAB 230 requires physical retail stores to accept cash payments during face-to-face transactions with customers. It directly affects brick-and-mortar businesses selling goods or services in person, unless other laws prohibit cash acceptance. Retailers violating this rule face fines of $200 to $5,000 per violation, or court-ordered injunctions to stop the violation. The law does not apply to online sales or situations where cash acceptance is legally restricted.

Maddy summaryAJR 8 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit the governor's partial veto power on budget bills. It would prevent the governor from rejecting small parts of a bill (like single words or sentences) and require that any vetoed section must be a complete, standalone law that can function independently. The bill specifically targets appropriation bills, restricting the governor to vetoing entire sections that are capable of separate enactment. This is a proposed constitutional change, not a law, and would need voter approval to take effect. The amendment aims to reduce the governor's ability to alter budget bills through partial vetoes.

Maddy summaryAB 286 redirects $172 million in interest earned from unused coronavirus state and local fiscal recovery funds to the general state fund. It applies to funds held under specific state appropriations (section 20.505(1)(mb)) that were not spent by the deadline. The bill transfers this interest directly to the general fund on its effective date, rather than allowing it to remain in the recovery fund. This is a procedural adjustment to reallocate existing interest earnings, not a new funding program.

Maddy summaryAB 71 changes how school districts in Wisconsin can seek voter approval to exceed their standard operating budget limits. It requires school boards to adopt a resolution specifying whether excess funds are for recurring (ongoing) or nonrecurring (one-time) purposes, and limits such resolutions to four years. Voters must approve these requests via referendum, with ballots clearly stating the amount for nonrecurring uses. Crucially, if approved for recurring purposes, the excess amount becomes part of the next year's budget base; for nonrecurring purposes, it does not affect future budget limits. This bill directly affects school districts seeking to fund additional programs beyond their regular budget without voter approval.

Maddy summaryAB 127 modifies pharmacy laws regarding the dispensing of lawfully prescribed contraceptives. It allows pharmacists to refuse dispensing for reasons of conscience but requires them to immediately transfer the prescription to another pharmacy at the patient’s direction without delay. This directly affects pharmacists in community and hospital settings who dispense contraceptives, ensuring patients can access their prescribed medication without unnecessary delays. The bill specifies that refusals cannot be based on prescription errors, potential fraud, or drug incompatibility, and clarifies that pharmacists must transfer prescriptions rather than deny service.

Maddy summaryAB 118 creates a state-funded pilot program to help farmers transition to managed grazing systems, allocating $500,000 annually from the environmental fund. The program provides grants covering technical assistance, infrastructure (like fencing and water systems), and incentives during the first three years of implementing new or improved grazing practices on marginal lands (e.g., flood-prone or steep areas). Grants are limited to $40,000 per farmer, with payments phased over three years (75% upfront, then 12.5% each subsequent year). The bill directly affects farmers adopting forage-based managed grazing and requires the Department of Agriculture to support this transition through a new staff position. It does not fund existing grazing systems, focusing only on new implementations or enhancements that improve conservation and financial outcomes.

Maddy summaryAB 27 expands eligibility for state veterans' benefits to include individuals who served in Laos supporting U.S. forces during the Vietnam War and were naturalized under the federal Hmong Veterans Naturalization Act of 2000. The bill updates state statutes to define these veterans as qualifying for property tax exemptions (under 36.27) and other benefit programs (under 38.24 and 45.01). It specifically adds them to eligibility criteria for benefits previously limited to other veteran categories. This change directly affects Hmong veterans residing in the state who meet the federal naturalization requirements. The bill passed committee unanimously and is now pending in the Rules committee.

Maddy summaryAB 172 creates a new consumer data protection law by defining key terms like "personal data," "biometric data," "sale of personal data," and "consumer" in section 100.80 of the statutes. This bill directly affects businesses that collect or process personal data of state residents, requiring them to follow standardized handling practices for such data. The law includes penalty provisions for violations, though specific penalty amounts and enforcement details are not provided in the available bill text.

Maddy summaryAB 171 allows Wisconsin judicial officers (such as judges) to request privacy protections for their personal information, including home addresses and secondary residences, from public disclosure. The bill requires government agencies and land records websites to remove such information from public records within 10 business days after receiving a notarized written request from a judicial officer. It defines specific criteria for third parties (like title companies or entities with confidentiality agreements) to access protected records under limited circumstances. This law directly affects judicial officers' privacy by creating a formal process to shield their personal details from public view, while maintaining access for authorized entities under defined conditions.

Maddy summaryAB 132 creates a "nuclear power summit board" to organize, promote, and host a Wisconsin nuclear power summit in Madison, requiring the event to occur within one month after a specific university academic term begins. The board includes appointed legislators (two senators, two assembly members), the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation CEO, a governor-appointed member, and nonvoting industry/faculty representatives. It is funded through a dedicated appropriation from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, with the summit allowing free attendance for Wisconsin residents and varying registration fees for others. The board must disband 180 days after the summit concludes, returning remaining assets to the University of Wisconsin-Madison's nuclear engineering program.