Rep. Elijah Behnke

Maddy summaryAB 157 prohibits recording or filing contracts for services or materials that do not improve real estate and create property claims (like liens). It directly affects contractors, service providers, and property owners who might improperly tie non-improvement services (e.g., general cleaning or repairs not tied to property enhancement) to real estate. The bill requires county registers of deeds to reject such contracts and bans filing them, with exceptions for mortgages, homeowners associations, leases, and existing lien laws. Violators face civil lawsuits by affected property owners or fines up to $10,000.

Maddy summaryAB 264 restricts veterans and surviving spouses from claiming the property tax credit for the same taxable year if they also file for certain other property tax credit programs (specifically subchapters VIII or IX, or subsections 3m or 9). It prevents duplicate claims by prohibiting the veterans' credit when related claims under other provisions are filed for the same year. The law applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2025, and directly affects eligible veterans and surviving spouses seeking property tax relief. This is a policy change clarifying eligibility rules for existing tax credit programs.

Maddy summaryAB 33 creates new laws prohibiting the non-consensual creation and distribution of technology-generated intimate images (like deepfakes) using someone's recognizable likeness. It specifically bans posting, sharing, or exhibiting such "synthetic intimate representations" with intent to coerce, harass, or intimidate the person depicted. The bill also prohibits reproducing private intimate images without the depicted person's consent. These provisions directly protect individuals whose likenesses could be used in non-consensual intimate content, targeting harmful uses of AI and digital tools. The law defines "synthetic intimate representation" as technology-generated content using identifiable features to depict intimate scenes, regardless of artificial elements.

Maddy summaryAB 161 prohibits state agencies and local governments from restricting the sale, use, or purchase of motor vehicles or other devices based on their energy source (e.g., electric, gasoline, hydrogen). It specifically allows governments to set their own purchasing policies for their own fleets but bans restrictions on consumer or commercial use. The bill directly affects state/local governments, businesses selling vehicles/devices, and residents using such products. It creates a clear rule that energy source cannot be a factor in regulatory decisions.

Maddy summaryAB 58 restricts flags displayed on state and local government buildings, requiring only the U.S. flag, Wisconsin state flag, or a state agency flag to be flown from flagpoles or exteriors. Exceptions allow flags for veterans (e.g., POW/MIA), federally recognized tribes, neighboring states at border crossings, or emergency services, but only for ceremonial or safety purposes. The bill explicitly prohibits any flag supporting political parties, social causes, racial/sexual identities, or extremist groups, including flags designed for specific holidays. It applies to all state office buildings, schools, and local government facilities, with limited exemptions for leased properties.

Maddy summaryAB 418 requires long-term care facilities (including nursing homes and assisted living facilities) and hospitals to allow specific visitation during communicable disease outbreaks. It mandates that facilities permit at least one "essential visitor" (designated by the resident or their legal representative) or one "member of the clergy" for compassionate reasons like end-of-life care, grief support, or when a healthcare professional determines the visitor's presence benefits the patient. Facilities may deny visitation only if the visitor refuses to follow health protocols, poses a contagion risk, or the patient objects. The bill also creates a process for residents or families to file complaints if facilities violate these rules.

Maddy summaryAB 369 creates a state tax credit for businesses that provide child care, allowing them to claim a credit equal to the federal employer-provided child care credit (under IRS Section 45F) on their state tax return. The credit applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, and directly affects businesses that already claim the federal credit. Key provisions require the state credit to match the federal amount claimed, prohibit claims for out-of-state child care expenses, and mandate adjustments if federal tax increases under Section 45F(d). This bill aligns state tax treatment with the federal credit system without changing the federal rules.

Maddy summaryAB 406 establishes the framework for setting resident undergraduate tuition and fee rates at the University of Wisconsin System. It directly affects Wisconsin residents enrolled in undergraduate programs across UW System campuses. The bill outlines the process for determining these rates, though specific dollar amounts or changes are not detailed in the current summary. Introduced in August 2025 and referred to the Consumer Protection committee, it is currently under review with a fiscal estimate received.

Maddy summaryAB 311 would allow transgender and intersex individuals to update their sex marker on birth certificates without requiring medical documentation. The bill directly affects people seeking to align their legal identity with their gender identity through simplified administrative changes. Key provisions would replace current requirements (like court orders or medical certifications) with a straightforward self-attestation process. The bill is currently under review in the Assembly Judiciary Committee after being introduced on June 6, 2025.

Maddy summaryAB 421 prohibits cities, towns, and counties from enacting "rights of nature" ordinances that grant legal rights to natural resources like rivers or forests. The bill defines such ordinances as those conferring rights to exist, be protected from pollution, or maintain healthy ecosystems. It creates a new state law (66.0132) banning these local measures, preventing municipalities from using this approach to legally protect natural areas. The bill was introduced in September 2025 and referred to the Judiciary Committee.