Rep. Bob Wittke

Maddy summaryAB 601 amends the statute to exclude certain sports wagers from the legal definition of "bet." Specifically, it exempts wagers made by people physically in the state using mobile devices if the server is on tribal lands and the wager follows an Indian gaming compact entered before April 1, 1993. This directly affects tribal gaming operations that operate under pre-1993 compacts. The bill clarifies that such wagers - conducted via tribal servers under existing agreements - are not considered "bets" under state gambling laws. This is a technical definition change, not a new policy or tax.

Maddy summaryAB 604 would require Wisconsin's Department of Health Services to request a federal Medicaid waiver to provide pre-release medical coverage for incarcerated individuals eligible for Medicaid. It specifically covers case management, medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders, and a 30-day supply of prescription medications for up to 90 days before release. This bill directly affects incarcerated people who qualify for Medicaid, aiming to improve continuity of care upon reentry. The waiver request must be submitted by January 1, 2027, to allow state and federal reimbursement for these services. The bill focuses on concrete policy changes to expand healthcare access during a critical transition period.

Maddy summaryAB 751 modifies how electric utilities calculate fuel costs for their rate plans. It requires utilities to account for the cost of purchasing electricity and revenue from selling generation capacity that meets Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) requirements when calculating fuel costs. This change affects electric utilities and their customers by adjusting how fuel cost differences (under- or over-collections) are handled in rate adjustments. The bill creates a new definition for "Midcontinent independent system operation" to align with existing MISO terminology.

Maddy summaryAB 696 updates licensing requirements for certified public accountants (CPAs) in the state. It requires applicants to complete 150 semester hours of education (including accounting and business coursework) and gain work experience involving accounting, tax, or consulting skills, verified by the Accounting Examining Board. The bill also clarifies that out-of-state CPAs with equivalent licenses can continue practicing without reapplying, as long as they met prior requirements. These changes modify both statute law and administrative rules governing CPA licensure and education standards.

Maddy summaryAB 1026 updates interest rate calculations for tax payments and refunds in Wisconsin. It sets a 1% monthly interest rate (12% annually) on underpaid estimated taxes due between June 15 and payment date, and requires 12% annual interest during tax filing extensions for corporations and pass-through entities. The bill also mandates that the Department of Revenue (DOR) pays 3% annual interest on tax overpayments. These changes affect taxpayers filing returns, including corporations, pass-through entities, and individuals who use federal tax extension periods. The bill clarifies existing interest rate provisions across multiple tax statutes without altering tax obligations.

Maddy summaryAB 1009 creates a framework for local governments to establish "tourism promotion improvement districts" to fund tourism marketing and infrastructure. It directly affects hotels and motels within designated districts, requiring at least 50% of room owners to petition for creation and approve an operating plan detailing improvements, activities, and financing. Key provisions include setting a 5-year maximum assessment period (10 years for renewals), capping fees for payment processing at 5%, and mandating public hearings before district approval. The bill enables districts to fund tourism promotions and infrastructure (like visitor centers) through business assessments, with all details of costs and benefits outlined in the approved operating plan.

Maddy summaryAB 1037 modifies retainage rules for public construction contracts, specifically lowering the maximum withholdable percentage for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing subcontractors from 5% to 3% until 50% project completion. It requires prime contractors to pay these subcontractors within 7 days of receiving payment from the municipality, with full payments due after 50% completion unless work progress is unsatisfactory. The bill sets a 10% cap on total retainage and mandates final payment upon substantial completion, minus costs for corrective work. It directly affects contractors and subcontractors working on public projects, particularly those in MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) specialties. The changes aim to improve cash flow for smaller subcontractors while maintaining safeguards for project completion.

Maddy summaryAB 878 creates a tax credit for businesses that pay certain sales and use taxes on services sold through amusement devices (like arcade games or interactive machines). Specifically, it allows businesses to claim a credit equal to the county and municipal sales taxes paid on those services, reducing their Wisconsin income or franchise tax liability. The credit cannot be claimed directly by partnerships, LLCs, or tax-option corporations, but must be passed through to their owners based on ownership share. Unused credit can be carried forward for up to 20 years to offset future tax bills.

Maddy summaryAB 840 regulates data centers in the state by requiring specific operational and environmental standards. It mandates that data centers use closed-loop cooling systems (recycling water instead of using fresh water) and report annual water usage to the department. The bill also requires renewable energy facilities serving data centers to be located on-site and prohibits utility customers from paying for data center infrastructure costs. Additionally, operators must provide financial bonds for construction and restore land if projects are abandoned. These provisions directly affect all data center operators and developers in the state.

Maddy summaryAB 892 defines key terms related to digital assets and staking to clarify that these activities are not subject to the state's securities laws. The bill creates specific definitions for "digital asset," "node," "staking" (locking assets to support blockchain security), and "staking as a service" (third-party platforms enabling staking). Crucially, it explicitly states that staking and staking services "do not include" activities covered by securities regulations. This bill directly affects digital asset users, validators, and third-party staking service providers by removing regulatory uncertainty around these activities under current securities law. The bill focuses solely on definitional clarity, not on changing existing securities enforcement.