Rep. Elijah Behnke

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 303 creates a new state grant program to fund crisis intervention services for people contacting the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline from within the state. The bill requires the state department to award grants to organizations providing crisis care coordination to individuals who call or text 988. This directly affects crisis service providers that serve callers within the state's geographic boundaries. The key mechanism is a state-funded grant program administered by the department to support these organizations, ensuring consistent access to crisis care for 988 users. The bill does not change the 988 hotline's operation but provides state funding to support local crisis response services.

Maddy summaryAB 59 restricts how private community water systems can use federal capitalization grant funds for infrastructure projects. It specifically prohibits using these funds for principal forgiveness on loans, except when the loan is exclusively for replacing lead service lines. This directly affects private water system owners who receive federal grants under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The bill was withdrawn from committee in June 2025 and did not advance further.

Maddy summaryAB 176 repeals the financial eligibility requirement (section 46.87(5m)) for Wisconsin's Alzheimer's family and caregiver support program. It updates two sections of the law to remove references to this repealed requirement, clarifying that eligibility now depends on meeting the financial criteria previously defined under the repealed section. The bill directly affects Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers in residential facilities who previously needed to satisfy these financial standards to receive program services. The key change is eliminating the specific financial threshold that determined program access, streamlining eligibility without creating new benefits or funding. This is a technical adjustment to existing statutes, not a substantive policy change.

Maddy summaryAB 26 corrects a misleading title and focuses on background check procedures, not juror protection. The bill requires agencies (like child welfare departments) to verify final court dispositions for certain serious crimes within 5 years by contacting courts, if background checks indicate potential violations. It specifically targets offenses including battery (e.g., sections 940.20, 940.202) and threats listed in statutes. This affects agencies conducting background checks for employment or services, ensuring they confirm pending or recent convictions before making decisions.

Maddy summaryAB 259 creates a new misdemeanor offense for entering or remaining on a campground without permission from the operator. It directly affects visitors who enter or stay on licensed campground property without consent. The law allows campground operators to issue written requests for individuals to leave, and failing to comply results in fines up to $100 or up to 30 days in jail. This bill specifically applies to campgrounds and camping resorts licensed under state law, clarifying that standard trespass laws do not cover campground occupants or guests.

Maddy summaryAB 83 prohibits state and local governments from restricting the sale or use of motor vehicles based on their energy source (e.g., gasoline, electric, or hydrogen). It also extends this rule to other energy-powered devices, such as power tools or generators, if their significant functions rely on that energy source. The law explicitly allows government agencies to prioritize electric vehicles for their own fleets when purchasing. This ensures public policies do not discriminate against specific vehicle or device types based on energy use.

Maddy summaryAB 187 creates a program providing a one-time $250 completion service award to volunteer firefighters after they complete 60 hours of training. Municipalities must match this award with their own payments, and the state will provide a 2:1 match for municipal contributions toward length-of-service awards (up to $390 annually), which are tax-deferred benefits based on service years. The bill requires a 10-year vesting period for length-of-service benefits and sets rules for closing inactive accounts after 12 months of inactivity. It directly affects volunteer firefighters, emergency medical responders, and emergency medical services practitioners in municipalities operating volunteer departments or contracting with volunteer fire companies.