Rep. Ben DeSmidt

Maddy summaryAB 1065 establishes requirements for state broadband expansion grants to connect unserved areas. It defines "broadband infrastructure" as requiring minimum speeds of 100 Mbps download/20 Mbps upload (or federal standards), and mandates grantees to report construction progress and final service speeds. If grantees fail to build the specified infrastructure or meet speed standards, they must reimburse the state. The bill also requires biennial audits of the grant program starting in 2027 to assess performance.

Maddy summaryAB 1082 creates a temporary sales and use tax exemption for breastfeeding equipment in Wisconsin, effective until June 30, 2027. It exempts breast pumps, breast pump kits (pumps bundled with collection/storage supplies), and specific collection/storage supplies like breast shields, bottles, and milk storage bags. This directly affects new and expecting mothers who purchase these items, reducing their out-of-pocket costs. The exemption does not cover unrelated products like nursing bras, cleaning supplies, or general bottles sold separately. The bill defines covered items precisely to ensure only essential breastfeeding equipment qualifies for the tax break.

Maddy summaryAB 1067 requires broadband providers to advertise and sell services based on consistent, verifiable speeds - minimum 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload - matching federal standards. It mandates standardized broadband labels using FCC templates for all consumers before sale, preventing misleading speed claims. Providers violating these rules face consumer refunds if they fail to correct misrepresentations within a month of written notice. The bill directly affects broadband companies and protects consumers by ensuring accurate speed disclosures.

Maddy summaryAB 1069 establishes a legislative study committee to examine requirements for a "Dig Once Law," which would mandate installing empty underground pipes (conduit) during infrastructure projects to prepare for future fiber-optic internet expansion. The committee will study key details like communication protocols between municipalities and contractors, ownership of unused conduit, maintenance cost responsibilities, conduit sizing for multiple providers, and optimal installation timing (e.g., during road construction). This bill does not enact new law but prepares recommendations for potential future legislation. It directly affects municipalities, construction firms, and future internet service providers by identifying implementation challenges. The committee must submit findings by January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryAB 1048 repeals statute 66.0104, which governed local regulations of landlords. This procedural bill removes an existing legal provision without creating new rules or directly affecting landlords, tenants, or local governments. It was introduced by multiple legislators and referred to the Housing Committee. The bill's sole action is eliminating the referenced statute from the code.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Wisconsin's Medicaid program (Medical Assistance) to reimburse providers for maternal mental health screenings during pregnancy. It also mandates that all health insurance plans covering maternity must include these screenings as a standard benefit, with no cost to the patient. The law specifies that screenings can be provided by licensed midwives, nurse-midwives, or other qualified healthcare providers. It includes a requirement for the state to develop screening standards in consultation with organizations led by Black, Indigenous, and other people of color. Coverage requirements will take effect for most plans starting September 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryAB 1088 requires Wisconsin hospitals to schedule a free postpartum home visit within 14 days for new mothers who request it, covering physical recovery, breastfeeding support, and mental health screening. The visit must be provided by trained doulas, midwives, or other licensed health providers. Insurance plans - including government-run health programs - must cover this service without deductibles, copays, or other patient costs. The bill directly affects new mothers, hospitals, and health insurers across Wisconsin.

Maddy summaryAB 823 creates a program to provide electronic benefit transfer (EBT) and credit/debit card processing equipment and services to farmers' markets and farmers who sell directly to consumers. It allocates $367,500 biennially for this payment processing program and increases funding by $1 million annually for the healthy food incentive program. The bill requires participating vendors to process local purchasing incentives (even if funded by third parties) and adds 0.625 FTE positions to administer the program. This directly affects farmers' markets and farmers selling directly to consumers who participate in EBT or incentive programs.

Maddy summaryAB 835 establishes $10 million annually in grants for students enrolled in approved teacher education programs, requiring recipients to work as teachers in Wisconsin public or tribal schools for at least four years after graduation. It adjusts the reimbursement rate for special education costs to 90% of eligible expenses for school districts. The bill also modifies school district revenue limits by adding specific dollar amounts ($325 for 2023-24, $146 for 2023-24-2025-26) to calculate annual funding caps. These changes directly affect education students, school districts, and special education programs through concrete funding adjustments.

Maddy summaryAB 816 creates the Office of the Public Affairs Network within Wisconsin's Department of Administration to provide live, unedited video and audio coverage of state government proceedings - including legislative sessions, committee meetings, court proceedings, and related public events - through a permanent online network. The bill establishes a Public Affairs Network Board (with members including the governor, legislative leaders, and public appointees) to oversee the office, which must operate strictly nonpartisanly and maintain a free, unrestricted digital archive of all covered proceedings. The legislation appropriates $2 million annually for the office's operations and includes provisions to acquire WisconsinEye's existing digital archives and equipment to transition the network to state management. This directly affects state government operations and provides the public with free, real-time access to unedited coverage of official proceedings without registration requirements.