Rep. Rick Gundrum

Maddy summaryAB 81 modifies how school districts calculate state aid by excluding certain referendum-funded expenditures from "shared costs." Specifically, it removes from the calculation any debt service costs from referenda approved after the bill's effective date that authorized borrowing of at least $50 million (unless the district's equalized valuation exceeded a specific threshold). This means school districts using referendum funds for large capital projects will not see those costs reduce their state equalization aid. The bill directly affects districts that have approved significant referendum bonds for school improvements or construction.

Maddy summaryAB 370 creates standardized crime victim notification cards to help victims stay informed about court proceedings involving offenders. The bill directs the Director of State Courts to design these free cards, which victims can fill out with their contact information and details about the inmate or probationer. County courts and victim-witness offices must provide the cards to victims, who can then send completed cards to the relevant court to receive updates. The bill also protects victims' mailing addresses in court records from public inspection under state law.

Maddy summaryAB 258 modifies Wisconsin's license restrictions for drivers required to use ignition interlock devices after DUI convictions. It extends license revocation periods by 180 days for specific violations detected by the device, including three or more violations within 60 days, tampering, or unauthorized removal. The bill also creates a process for drivers to dispute violations using documentation (e.g., device malfunctions) and requires electronic reporting from interlock providers to the department. This directly affects individuals subject to ignition interlock orders under existing DUI-related license restrictions.

Maddy summaryAB 360 creates a grant program to help small law enforcement agencies (those with 25 or fewer full-time officers) address staffing shortages. Agencies can apply for grants to cover costs of preparatory training for future officers and up to six months of on-the-job training for new recruits, provided they have high vacancy rates (20%+) or upcoming retirements. Recipients must commit to working at the agency for one year after training, and agencies may exclude new recruits from staffing maintenance requirements for six months. The program runs for 18 months after all funds are distributed, with repayment required if commitments aren't met.

Maddy summaryAB 218 limits foreign ownership of agricultural land in the state to 50 acres (down from 640 acres), affecting foreign corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and trusts with over 25% foreign ownership. It also prohibits foreign entities from owning real property within 10 miles of military installations, with limited exceptions for inheritances, treaty rights, or debt collection. The bill requires entities exceeding these limits to divest or forfeit land within 3 years, and mandates reporting for exceptions. These changes apply to land acquired after the bill’s effective date, not retroactively.

Maddy summaryAB 164 standardizes terminology across Wisconsin's unemployment insurance system, replacing "unemployment insurance" with "reemployment assistance" in state laws to align with federal programs. It creates a new Division of Reemployment Assistance within the Department of Workforce Development and clarifies responsibilities for home care workers, requiring placement agencies to inform consumers about who pays federal social security taxes, state reemployment assistance contributions, and worker compensation insurance. The bill ensures home care consumers aren't unexpectedly liable for these costs if agencies fail to provide required notices, and establishes mechanisms for recovering costs from agencies when they do. These changes primarily affect home care workers, placement agencies, and state agencies administering unemployment benefits.

Maddy summaryAB 17 creates tax incentives to encourage business transitions to employee ownership. It provides a credit covering 70% of conversion costs (up to $100,000) for worker-owned cooperatives and 50% (up to $100,000) for employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), plus a deduction for capital gains tax on business transfers to these models. The bill directly affects business owners in Wisconsin who convert their companies to employee ownership structures, requiring employee ownership to exceed 50% to qualify. It also establishes an education program to support these transitions, aiming to make such conversions more financially accessible.

Maddy summaryAB 358 requires state agencies and contractors to submit written reports when construction or development projects disturb burial sites. This applies to projects on public or state-owned land, affecting state departments and private entities working on such developments. The bill mandates timely reporting to the designated state office overseeing cultural resources. It establishes a procedural requirement without altering existing laws or creating new regulations.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 8) commemorates the victims of the December 16, 2024, Abundant Life Christian School tragedy in Wisconsin, specifically honoring Erin West and Rubi Vergara who died and supporting the six injured students and staff. It formally sends condolences to their families, expresses ongoing support for the school community, and condemns the violence that caused the tragedy. The resolution calls on Wisconsin residents to unite against all forms of violence but does not create new laws or allocate funding. As a symbolic gesture, it directly affects the Abundant Life Christian School community and all Wisconsin school communities impacted by violence.

Maddy summaryAB 250 allocates $9 million annually from the Veterans Affairs budget to fund war memorials in populous counties. Memorial boards must provide a full matching contribution to request funds, which can cover operations, maintenance, construction, or facility improvements. Boards must report annually to the legislature on fund usage and remaining balances. The bill creates a formal process for memorial boards to access state funding while requiring transparency in how funds are spent.