Rep. Bob Wittke

Maddy summaryAB 870 updates Wisconsin's state tax code to align with federal tax law changes by adjusting reference dates for the Internal Revenue Code. For taxable years starting after December 31, 2025, Wisconsin will use the federal tax code as amended through December 31, 2025 - instead of the previous 2022 cutoff - while excluding specific federal tax provisions enacted after 2025. The bill directly affects Wisconsin taxpayers and fiduciaries (excluding nuclear trust funds) by modifying how state tax calculations account for federal law differences, including exclusions for certain deductions and credits. It creates new administrative rules to handle discrepancies between state and federal tax treatments, such as differences in depreciation methods or asset basis.

Maddy summaryAB 864 updates the state lottery code by creating new definitions for three game types: "break open games" (pull-tab style), "instant games" (scratch-offs), and "lotto games." It adjusts vendor payments to align with these categories and establishes a performance-based compensation program for retailers, capping payments at 1% of revenue for instant and lotto games, and 2% for break open games. The bill also requires retailers to display a sign about top prize claims and allows for shorter retailer contracts. These changes clarify operational and financial arrangements for lottery vendors and retailers.

Maddy summaryAB 818 creates a "demonstration public school operator" designation for charter school operators that meet specific requirements. To qualify, operators must document best practices, provide teacher professional development, participate in longitudinal studies, evaluate their educational models, track student progress, partner with community organizations, and collaborate with research entities like the Wisconsin Center for Educational Research. Designated operators receive an additional $6,863 per student starting in the 2026-27 school year, plus annual reporting requirements including financial data, student achievement metrics, and transition outcomes. The designation lasts up to 5 years with possible renewal, contingent on continued compliance with the specified requirements.

Maddy summaryAB 974 establishes a permanent "public affairs network fund" to provide annual grants to WisconsinEye, the public affairs network broadcasting state government proceedings. The bill creates a new trust fund using state appropriations, donations, and interest earnings, which will fund WisconsinEye’s operating costs for live broadcasts, civic events, and free online archives of unedited government proceedings. WisconsinEye must meet specific requirements, including appointing legislative designees to its board, focusing coverage on official government business, and providing continuous free public access to broadcasts and archives. If WisconsinEye ceases operations, it must repay all grant funds to the state and transfer its archives to the state historical society.

Maddy summaryAB 990 would require Wisconsin high school students to earn at least 0.5 credits in personal financial literacy to graduate. The bill specifies that this course must cover topics like money management, saving/investing, credit/debt, and risk management. Schools could award credit for approved programs offered by financial institutions through school-based branches, as determined by the school board. This requirement would apply to students in high school grades once the law is enacted.

Maddy summaryAB 714 requires health insurers, administrators, and pharmacy benefit managers to provide large employers (those with 50+ employees) full access to their health claims data. The bill states that employers (as "plan sponsors") own this data, including detailed records of high-cost claims (exceeding $25,000 for medical, $10,000 for pharmacy), billing statements, payment histories, and rebate information. Insurers and pharmacy managers must deliver this data within 7 business days of a written request, in electronic format, and cannot sell the data without employer and individual permission. The law aims to give employers greater transparency into their health plan costs and administration.

Maddy summaryAB 749 requires all public high schools to include instruction about organ and blood donation in at least one grade between 9 and 12. The law mandates that this instruction cover the purpose of donations, the statewide and nationwide need for them, and how students can participate. This applies to all high school curricula starting with the 2026-27 school year. The bill directly affects high school students and school districts by adding this specific health education requirement to their curriculum.

Maddy summaryAB 794 clarifies that healthcare workers using digital platforms to book shifts at facilities remain independent contractors - not employees - under specific conditions. The bill requires platforms to meet 15 criteria, such as allowing workers to freely accept/reject shifts, set their own rates, avoid mandatory availability, and not restrict other work. It directly affects healthcare workers and platforms connecting them to facilities, ensuring they retain contractor status if all conditions are met. The law explicitly excludes these workers from employee protections under certain statutes, focusing solely on shifts booked through compliant platforms.

Maddy summaryAJR 1 is a constitutional amendment requiring voters to present valid photo identification to cast a ballot in any election. It directly affects all voters in state elections, specifying that acceptable ID must be issued by the state, federal government, a federally recognized tribal entity, or a college/university in the state. The bill mandates the legislature to define acceptable ID types and establish exceptions, while allowing voters without ID on election day to cast a provisional ballot and submit ID later. This proposal, on second consideration after a 2023 rejection, would be submitted to voters in April 2025 if approved.

Maddy summaryAJR 3 is a symbolic resolution that officially recognizes January 2025 as "Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month" in Wisconsin. It does not create new laws or allocate funding but aims to raise public awareness about human trafficking, highlighting its prevalence across all 72 Wisconsin counties and its impact on vulnerable groups like youth and individuals with disabilities. The resolution aligns with broader state and national efforts to combat trafficking through education and community engagement. As a procedural resolution, it focuses solely on designation and awareness, with no direct policy changes or obligations for state agencies.