Maddy summaryAB 605 allows municipal solid waste facilities that received loans under Wisconsin's clean water fund program (for wastewater infrastructure) to retain a portion of environmental repair fees collected from waste disposal. Specifically, these facilities may keep fees equal to their outstanding loan principal and interest while repaying the loan, instead of paying all collected fees to the state department. The bill directly affects municipal waste facilities that have secured such loans, modifying how they handle environmental fees. This change streamlines loan repayment by redirecting fees that would otherwise go to the state. The bill amends existing statutes to create this exception without altering general fee collection requirements.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryAB 425 creates a special registration plate system for trailers transporting manufactured housing units, eliminating the need for separate trailer registration. It directly affects transporters of manufactured housing, who must apply to the department for a plate based on the combined weight of the unit and trailer, paying a fee similar to standard vehicle registration. The plate allows multiple trailers owned by the same transporter to be used for moving housing units or empty trailers, valid only for the calendar year issued. This simplifies compliance by replacing individual trailer registration with a single annual plate for transporters' equipment.
Maddy summaryAB 155 designates a specific segment of U.S. Highway 12 in Lake Delton, Sauk County, as the "Tom Diehl Memorial Highway." The bill requires the state transportation department to officially mark this portion of the highway with the memorial name. This is a commemorative designation with no substantive policy changes or financial impact beyond signage. It directly affects the highway location in Lake Delton and honors Tom Diehl through the naming.
Maddy summaryAB 238 prohibits hotels, motels, and inns from discriminating against dog handlers accompanied by certified search and rescue dogs. The law bans refusing entry, charging extra fees, or publishing discriminatory notices based on a handler’s dog. To qualify, the dog must wear a visible harness or cape, be leashed, and the handler must provide certification. Hotels must modify policies to allow these dogs in public areas (without separation from handlers) unless accommodation would cause a fundamental change to services or pose safety risks. Handlers remain responsible for sanitation and damage caused by the dog.
Maddy summaryAB 659 modifies Wisconsin's tuition benefit policies for veterans and their families. It reduces the required residency period from 5 to 3 consecutive years in the state before enrollment for veterans themselves and their dependents (spouses or children) to qualify for tuition exemptions or grants at University of Wisconsin System schools, technical colleges, or private nonprofit institutions. The bill applies to veterans who served honorably, died on duty or from service-connected disabilities, or have a 30% service-connected disability rating, and to dependents who meet the revised residency requirement. It does not change eligibility for veterans who were Wisconsin residents at the time of military entry. The policy change takes effect for the first semester or session beginning after the bill's effective date.
Maddy summaryAB 679 creates a new permit system for trucks carrying grain, feed, or commercial fertilizer that exceed standard weight limits. It allows vehicles with 6 or more axles to operate at up to 91,000 pounds gross weight on state highways, provided they meet axle weight distribution rules and follow department-specified routes. The bill directly affects agricultural haulers and trucking companies transporting these materials, requiring a $325 permit for such operations. Permits are invalid on interstate highways (except as permitted by federal law) and may be suspended during spring thaw conditions. This bill does not change base weight limits but establishes a regulated pathway for heavier agricultural transport.
Maddy summaryAB 596 creates a state matching grant program that allocates $950,000 to provide state funds matching federal per diem payments received by eligible non-state entities. It directly affects organizations or programs receiving federal per diem payments (such as those supporting veterans) by allowing them to access additional state funding. The bill establishes this program under the Veterans Affairs department budget, requiring the state to match federal payments without changing eligibility criteria or adding new requirements for recipients.
Maddy summaryAB 597 creates a state matching grant program that provides $25 per day per veteran to eligible housing providers who receive federal per diem payments under 38 USC 2012. It directly affects organizations housing veterans who qualify for federal per diem payments, such as veteran service nonprofits or shelters. The program funds up to 365 days per year per veteran, with quarterly payments based on the previous quarter's housing. Grants are limited to $25/day and require annual applications through the state department.
Maddy summaryAB 737 allows municipalities to establish neighborhood improvement districts that can impose special property charges to fund infrastructure directly related to residential development within those neighborhoods. Property owners in designated districts would pay these charges, which can be collected in installments over time and included in regular tax bills, rather than requiring delinquency. The bill requires districts to specify exactly which infrastructure projects the funds will support and how charges are calculated per parcel, while allowing exemptions from notice requirements if a single owner holds all properties in the district. This legislation affects local property owners and municipalities by creating a new mechanism for financing neighborhood-specific infrastructure improvements through targeted assessments.
Maddy summaryAB 459 changes the minimum cost threshold for county public works projects that require competitive bidding. Currently, counties must use competitive bidding for projects over $50,000; this bill raises that threshold to $100,000. As a result, counties will no longer need to hold competitive bids for smaller public works projects between $50,000 and $100,000. The bill directly affects county governments by reducing administrative requirements for certain construction and service contracts.