Rep. Bob Wittke

Maddy summaryThis bill changes Wisconsin's retirement system rules for state retirees who return to work. It allows retirees who rejoin state employment (after a 75-day separation) to choose whether to keep their retirement annuity for up to 60 months, instead of having it automatically suspended. If they elect to keep the annuity, their new employer must pay equivalent retirement contributions to the system. The policy directly affects state retirees returning to jobs where they work at least two-thirds full-time, while ensuring retirement fund contributions remain intact.

Maddy summaryAB 408 designates the bacterium *Lactococcus lactis* as Wisconsin's official state microbe. This ceremonial bill has no regulatory or policy impact; it solely recognizes a specific microbe for symbolic representation. The bill passed committee recommendation with unanimous support and is now pending before the Rules committee. (Note: As a purely symbolic designation, it directly affects no individuals or entities through policy changes.)

Maddy summaryAB 525 repeals 138 outdated tax credit and tax provision sections in the state's tax code. This directly affects taxpayers and state tax administrators by removing obsolete rules that no longer serve their intended purpose. The bill targets specific sections, such as expired credits and redundant requirements, without creating new tax policies. This action simplifies the tax code by eliminating provisions that have been deemed obsolete.

Maddy summaryAB 419 creates a sales and use tax exemption for ski lifts and related equipment used exclusively to operate them. The bill exempts the purchase price of ski lifts, machines, equipment, accessories, and parts specifically for ski lift operations from state sales and use taxes. This directly affects ski resort operators and businesses that buy or maintain ski lift infrastructure. The exemption applies to the equipment itself, not the lift services or user fees, and takes effect three months after publication. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on modifying tax law to remove this tax burden for qualifying equipment.

Maddy summaryAB 606 regulates hemp-derived cannabinoid products by creating an occupational tax on businesses selling these products, alcohol warehouses, and production facilities. It renames the state's "Division of Alcohol Beverages" to the "Division of Intoxicating Products" and grants this new division rule-making authority to enforce regulations. The bill also establishes penalties for violations of the new rules. This directly affects hemp product businesses, alcohol warehouse operators, and the state agency responsible for oversight.

Maddy summaryAB 566 clarifies what qualifies as an investment for Wisconsin's early-stage seed and angel investment tax credits. It defines "investment" to include equity purchases, convertible notes, or similar instruments, as determined by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). This standardizes eligibility for investors and businesses seeking these credits, applying to taxable years beginning January 1, 2025. The bill directly affects investors claiming credits and businesses receiving qualifying early-stage funding.

Maddy summaryAB 494 extends Wisconsin's research income tax credit carryover period from 15 to 50 taxable years. This change allows businesses that claim the credit but cannot fully use it in a single year to carry forward unused credits for up to five decades. The policy directly affects Wisconsin businesses eligible for the research tax credit, providing greater flexibility to offset future tax liabilities. The bill primarily modifies tax code sections (71.07 and 71.28) to implement this extended carryover period.

Maddy summaryAB 565 amends tax credit eligibility rules for qualified new business ventures in Wisconsin. It increases the investment cap from $12 million to $20 million for businesses claiming tax credits under specific statutes (71.07, 71.28, 71.47, 76.638) for taxable years starting after December 31, 2025. The bill also requires businesses receiving such credits to agree not to relocate outside Wisconsin for three years, with penalties for violations. These changes directly affect new businesses seeking state tax credits to support growth. The bill repeals outdated provisions and updates the rules to adjust investment limits and relocation requirements.

Maddy summaryAB 158 modifies Wisconsin's worker's compensation rules for mental injuries (specifically PTSD) among certain public safety professionals. It adds emergency medical responders, emergency medical services practitioners, correctional officers, emergency dispatchers, coroners, medical examiners, and medicolegal investigation staff to the list of workers eligible for mental injury claims. The bill requires these claims to meet additional conditions to be compensable, specifically for mental injuries not accompanied by physical harm. This change affects how these essential public safety workers access benefits for work-related PTSD under Wisconsin's worker's compensation system.

Maddy summaryAB 97 extends health coverage under Wisconsin's Medicaid program (Medical Assistance) for postpartum women from 60 days to 365 days after pregnancy, directly affecting pregnant and postpartum women who qualify for the program. The bill changes eligibility rules to ensure coverage continues without regard to income changes during this extended period. It also adds a provision allowing women with family incomes above 300% of the poverty line to qualify if their income is spent on medical care or health insurance premiums. This policy update aims to provide longer-term health coverage for new mothers during a critical postpartum period.