Rep. Elijah Behnke

Maddy summaryAB 235 establishes a state-funded grant program to support workforce literacy initiatives. It provides annual grants to nonprofit organizations located in the state that serve adult literacy programs across more than half of the state's counties. Grant funds can be used for workforce readiness training, GED exam preparation, digital literacy skills, and supporting other job-related literacy services. The bill is currently pending passage after a committee recommended approval with a 7-2 vote. This program directly affects nonprofits delivering statewide adult education services and aims to strengthen workforce skills through targeted funding.

Maddy summaryAB 448 allows eligible nonprofit agricultural organizations (specifically, long-standing, member-directed cooperatives established before 1922 and meeting IRS 501(c)(5) requirements) to provide health benefit coverage exclusively to their members and members' families. Key provisions require these organizations to offer coverage in all state counties, provide written notice clarifying this is not health insurance, cover all physician services without preexisting condition exclusions beyond six months, and maintain sufficient financial reserves via annual actuarial reviews. The bill also mandates reinsurance with state-authorized companies and establishes complaint resolution processes mirroring those for standard health insurance. This framework directly affects qualifying agricultural co-ops and their members, creating a regulated pathway for member-only health benefits while ensuring basic consumer protections.

Maddy summaryAB 430 amends Wisconsin's fair employment law to clarify when employers and licensing agencies can consider an applicant's pending criminal charge. It prohibits refusing employment or licensing solely because an applicant has a pending charge, unless the charge is directly related to the job or licensed activity. The bill specifically allows decisions based on the charge's relevance to the position (e.g., denying a security job for a theft charge) but blocks blanket denials for unrelated pending cases. This directly affects job seekers and license applicants with pending criminal charges who face hiring or licensing barriers. The law aims to reduce discrimination based on arrest records while permitting relevant, job-related considerations.

Maddy summaryAB 178 creates a new state grant program to fund county and tribal programs that offer treatment alternatives to jail for people facing criminal charges related to substance use or mental health issues. It requires these programs to use evidence-based treatment, integrate mental health services, and include graduated incentives for participants. The bill directly affects criminal defendants with substance use disorders or mental illness who qualify for these programs, as well as counties and tribes receiving grants. Key provisions include mandating collaboration between courts, prosecutors, public defenders, and health agencies to develop and oversee the programs, while exempting participants in approved programs from losing good time credit in jail.

Maddy summaryAB 401 creates penalties for damaging or defacing designated historical properties in Wisconsin. It directly affects individuals who intentionally damage such properties, including vandalism or graffiti on sites with historical significance. The bill establishes specific fines or penalties for these offenses, targeting property owners or vandals who harm protected historical landmarks. This legislation focuses on safeguarding culturally significant sites through new enforcement mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThe bill title claims to address LLC filing fees, but the provided text actually amends a statute about student enrollment requirements (183.0122), not business fees. The bill text specifies that a student must be enrolled in a postsecondary institution, public/private/tribal high school, or home-based private program to qualify for certain benefits. It does not change LLC filing fees or affect business entities. The mismatch between the title and the actual content in the bill text makes it impossible to summarize the LLC fee aspect as described. This appears to be an error in the provided bill text.

Maddy summaryAB 7 requires local governments (cities, villages, or towns) to approve large-scale wind and solar projects (15 megawatts or more) before the Public Service Commission can approve them. Developers must seek municipal approval, which must be granted or denied within 90 days (with possible 90-day extensions for specific reasons). If a municipality fails to act within the deadline, the project is automatically approved. This bill directly affects renewable energy developers and local governments, shifting approval authority to municipalities for qualifying projects.

Maddy summaryAB 405 requires public schools in Wisconsin to include specific instruction on pregnancy, prenatal development, and childbirth within existing human growth and development curriculum. It directly affects K-12 students and educators by mandating these topics be taught as part of standard health education. The bill amends current curriculum standards to ensure this content is integrated into required instructional programs. This is a substantive policy change to educational content, not a procedural or commemorative measure.

Maddy summaryAB 181 modifies grant eligibility for county forest programs by allowing counties to receive funding for one professional forester in a county forest administrator or assistant role. The bill specifies that grants cover up to 50% of the forester’s salary and up to 40% of fringe benefits (capped at 40% of salary), using funds from a designated appropriation. It defines a qualifying "county forest administrator" as someone with a forestry degree (or equivalent), natural resources degree with 3+ years’ experience, or an associate degree in forestry with 3+ years’ experience managing county forests - excluding department employees. The changes apply retroactively to grant applications submitted on or after the bill’s effective date (January 1, 2025). This bill directly affects counties managing forest programs seeking state funding for their designated forest administration staff.

Maddy summaryAB 37 eliminates fees for Gold Star families who maintain or reissue special license plates displaying the Gold Star family symbol. It specifically removes the $15 annual or $30 biennial maintenance fees and $15 annual or $30 reissuance fees that would otherwise apply to these plates. The bill directly affects families of military members who died in service, ensuring they pay no additional costs for these plates beyond the initial application. This policy change modifies existing fee structures under Wisconsin statute 341.145(3) to provide fee-free plate maintenance and reissuance for this designated group.