Rep. Rick Gundrum

Maddy summaryAB 200 creates a refund program for retail fuel sellers (like gas stations) who experience fuel loss from evaporation or shrinkage. It allows retailers to claim a 0.5% refund on the motor vehicle fuel tax they paid when purchasing fuel, based on their tax-paid amount. Retailers must submit detailed invoices showing the tax amount separately, and file claims within 12 months of purchase. The refund applies to all motor vehicle fuels, including diesel, and requires suppliers to provide specific purchase documentation.

Maddy summaryAB 493 authorizes community solar programs where multiple households share power generated from a single solar facility. It requires municipalities to approve new community solar projects with a two-thirds vote of their governing body (unless zoning allows it automatically), limits facility size to 5 megawatts (or 20 megawatts on previously developed sites like parking lots), and ensures no single subscriber controls more than 40% of the facility’s output. This directly affects local governments (through zoning rules), solar developers ("subscriber organizations"), and residents who join these programs. The bill defines key terms like "community solar facility" and "subscriber" to standardize program rules and interconnection with utilities.

Maddy summaryAB 639 expands the scope of practice for naturopathic doctors in Wisconsin. It specifically allows them to provide "expedited partner therapy" for sexually transmitted infections (chlamydia, gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis) under new section 466.052, enabling them to prescribe antibiotics to sexual partners of infected patients. The bill also requires naturopathic doctors to maintain malpractice insurance (with limited exceptions for government employees) under amended section 466.05(3). Additionally, it updates prescription drug and controlled substance regulations to explicitly include naturopathic doctors in relevant statutes (e.g., 961.23(6)). These changes directly affect naturopathic doctors and patients seeking STI treatment in the state.

Maddy summaryAB 377 establishes English as the official language of the state and requires all state agencies and local governmental units (like cities, counties, and school districts) to conduct official communications in English. It allows these entities to use artificial intelligence or machine translation tools instead of hiring human interpreters for individuals with language barriers, while still requiring interpreters in specific cases like health/safety emergencies or legal proceedings. The bill permits limited exceptions for non-English communication (e.g., for teaching languages, protecting criminal defendants' rights, or complying with federal law), but prohibits restricting private language use for non-governmental purposes. This law directly affects government operations and individuals seeking services who need language assistance.

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 38 clarifies that cash tips received by employees from customers are taxable income under state law. It creates a new definition (71.05(1)(j)) specifying that "tips" include cash tips paid directly by customers, and amends multiple tax calculation sections to explicitly include "tips" in income categories for nonresident and part-year resident taxpayers. The bill updates formulas to ensure tips are counted when calculating taxable income for apportionment purposes, affecting tipped employees (like servers) and nonresidents earning tips in the state. This change ensures cash tips are treated consistently with other wages for tax purposes, without creating new exemptions.

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 summaryAJR 107 is a symbolic joint resolution designating November 2025 as "Veteran Mental Health and Suicide Awareness Month" in Wisconsin. It directly affects Wisconsin veterans by raising public awareness of their elevated mental health challenges and suicide rates, citing that 134 veterans died by suicide in Wisconsin in 2023 (15% of all adult suicides despite veterans comprising only 5% of the adult population). The resolution does not create new programs or funding but aims to highlight existing resources like the Wisconsin Veterans Crisis Line and honor veterans' service. It was introduced by multiple legislators and cosponsored by numerous senators, reflecting legislative recognition of veteran mental health as a priority.

Maddy summaryAB 483 requires Wisconsin municipalities and counties to hold voter referendums before imposing or continuing annual vehicle registration fees (commonly called "wheel taxes"). Local governments must propose a specific fee amount for voter approval at a regular election, with majority approval required to implement or continue the fee. Existing fees must be put to a referendum within 18 months of the bill's effective date. The bill directly affects local governments that charge these fees and vehicle owners who pay them.