Rep. Elijah Behnke

Maddy summaryAB 894 prohibits businesses from selling gift cards or certificates with expiration dates shorter than 5 years (or 5 years after reloading for reloadable cards). It bans hidden inactivity or dormancy fees unless clearly disclosed on the card, limits such fees to once per month, and requires specific fee details to be visible. Consumers can seek double damages or $200 per violation, and businesses face state penalties of $100-$10,000 per violation. The law directly affects gift card buyers and sellers, applying to all gift obligations sold after its effective date.

Maddy summaryAB 915 creates a $400-per-employee tax credit for Wisconsin small businesses (with 1-50 employees) that offer individual coverage health reimbursement arrangements (ICHRA) to their workers. To qualify, businesses must contribute at least $400 per covered employee annually into the ICHRA, and employees must accept the arrangement. The credit reduces state income tax liability for qualifying businesses, with partnerships and LLCs required to allocate the credit to owners based on ownership shares. This policy directly affects small employers seeking to provide health benefits without traditional group plans, while requiring specific contribution levels to claim the credit.

Maddy summaryAB 906 bans foreign nationals from contributing to or influencing referendum committees that support or oppose ballot measures. It defines "foreign national" broadly to include non-citizens, foreign governments, and foreign-owned entities, and requires committees to obtain written confirmations from contributors that they are not foreign nationals and haven’t received over $100,000 from foreign sources in the past four years. Committees must also attest they haven’t accepted such funds and cannot allow foreign nationals to direct or control their activities related to referendums. The bill directly affects referendum committees, campaign finance committees, and anyone contributing to ballot measure campaigns.

Maddy summaryAB 824 requires businesses and facilities that serve the public to display a human trafficking resource center hotline poster. It specifically applies to hotels, motels, bed-and-breakfasts, campgrounds, tattoo shops, job recruitment centers, and community residential facilities. The bill directs the Department of Justice to make the poster available online and encourages its display in these locations. Schools must display the poster in areas accessible only to adult staff. The law modifies existing statutes to define these venues and update display requirements.

Maddy summaryAJR 131 is a symbolic resolution designating March 2026 as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Month in Wisconsin. It does not create new laws or funding but formally recognizes MS as a significant health issue affecting thousands in the state. The resolution encourages Wisconsin residents to learn about MS and support those impacted by the disease and their families. It was introduced by multiple legislators and co-sponsored by numerous colleagues as a gesture of awareness, not a policy change.

Maddy summaryAB 900 modifies eligibility for farmland preservation tax credits by prohibiting credits for any qualifying farmland where a non-accessory photovoltaic solar energy system (like standalone solar panels) is located during the taxable year. This directly affects farmers or landowners who seek these tax credits but have installed such solar systems on their eligible farmland. The bill creates new definitions to clarify that credits cannot be claimed for acres with these non-accessory solar installations, while maintaining credit eligibility for land without them. The policy change applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill defines artificial intelligence and explicitly states that AI systems are not considered legal persons under Wisconsin law. It prevents AI from being granted rights such as marriage, holding property, serving in corporate roles, or facing legal liability, while assigning ownership of any assets generated by AI to its developers, manufacturers, or owners. The legislation clarifies that any attempt to grant AI legal personhood would be void and unenforceable.

Maddy summaryAB 961 requires distributors of explicit content (such as publishers and digital platforms) to display specific warning labels on all adult-oriented material. For print publications, labels must appear on the cover in 20-point bold Arial font; for digital content, labels must appear before access, remain visible for 10 seconds, and occupy two-thirds of the screen. The labels must include standardized language warning: "WARNING: This material contains explicit content that may be harmful or offensive. Viewer discretion is advised. Not intended for minors." Violations incur fines, with 50% of fines funding a state appropriation via a surcharge.

Maddy summaryAB 962 requires app store providers to verify the age of users creating accounts in the state and link accounts of minors (under 18) to parent accounts. Before minors can purchase apps, make in-app purchases, or download apps, providers must obtain explicit parental consent after disclosing age ratings, content descriptions, and data practices. The bill also mandates that providers notify parents of significant app changes (like new in-app purchases or privacy shifts) affecting apps downloaded by minors. This directly affects minors using app stores, their parents, and app store operators like Apple or Google.

Maddy summaryAB 972 allows banks and credit unions to refuse or delay specific financial transactions and decline to accept a power of attorney for vulnerable adults when they reasonably suspect financial exploitation. Financial institutions must report suspected exploitation to adult-at-risk agencies and notify authorized account holders (excluding suspected perpetrators), while maintaining legal immunity for good-faith actions. This law directly affects vulnerable adults (elderly or disabled individuals at risk of exploitation), financial institutions, and the agencies that handle exploitation reports. It creates clear procedures for institutions to act preventively without facing liability, focusing on concrete safeguards rather than new penalties or funding.