Rep. Dave Armstrong

Maddy summaryAB 357 proposes a grant program to provide funding for technical education equipment at community colleges and vocational programs. It would directly affect these educational institutions by enabling them to purchase new or updated equipment for training in fields like advanced manufacturing and IT. The bill establishes a competitive grant process administered by the state workforce agency, with funding allocated based on program needs and student enrollment. Currently in committee review after its introduction and public hearing, the bill has received a fiscal estimate but has not yet been enacted.

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 The bill repeals outdated provisions and updates the rules to adjust investment limits and relocation requirements.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 207 requires clear, plain-language disclosure notices for all statewide referenda and constitutional amendments on ballots. It mandates that each notice include the full ballot text, a plain-language summary of current law, and specific explanations of how "yes" and "no" votes would affect voters - all limited to one page. These notices must be posted online 30 days before voting, included with sample ballots and absentee ballots, and published by county clerks. The bill directly affects voters by improving their access to understandable information and election officials who must implement these disclosure requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill (AB 354) addresses the timing of state equalization aid payments to public school districts. It does not specify new funding amounts or eligibility but focuses on adjusting when these payments are distributed. The bill was recently passed by the State Affairs Committee with unanimous support (10-0) after an amendment was adopted. As a procedural fiscal bill, it directly affects school districts receiving state funding by changing payment schedules. The exact timing changes are not detailed in the provided context.

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 275 modifies state law to require government agencies to pay legal fees and costs when a court rules that an administrative rule is invalid (e.g., because it violates the constitution or was improperly created). It specifically directs that these costs - awarded to successful challengers - be paid from designated state funds under statutes 20.865(1)(a), (g), or (q). The bill applies to challenges involving agency rules or guidance documents and ensures fees are limited to the scope of the rule validity challenge. This change affects state agencies (who must cover costs) and individuals or groups challenging agency rules (who can recover legal expenses).

Maddy summaryAB 276 sets time limits for state agencies' "statements of scope" when creating administrative rules. It requires permanent rule statements to expire after 30 months and emergency rule statements after 6 months, preventing agencies from using expired statements to propose new rules. The bill also mandates separate statements for concurrent emergency and permanent rules and limits agencies to one rule per statement. These changes directly affect state agencies developing regulations and ensure legislative review occurs within defined timeframes. The bill does not alter rule content but streamlines the process for agency rulemaking and legislative oversight.

Maddy summaryAB 274 establishes a 7-year expiration cycle for Wisconsin administrative rules, requiring state agencies to formally request "readoption" before rules expire. It directly affects state agencies that create and maintain administrative rules, mandating they submit detailed notices to the legislature with specific information about each rule's purpose, legal basis, and compliance status. Key provisions include new requirements for readoption notices (including statements on rule compliance), a process for legislative committees to review these notices, and a schedule for expiring rules that were in effect before 2025. The bill also creates a rules procedures manual to guide agencies on drafting and legislative review. These changes streamline rule expiration and renewal while increasing transparency for lawmakers.

Maddy summaryAB 277 requires state agencies to provide detailed cost analyses for new rules that may affect businesses, local governments, or individuals. Agencies must quantify all expected implementation and compliance costs (and potential savings) over a two-year period, broken down by affected groups, and report this as a single net dollar figure. If projected costs exceed $10 million, the rulemaking process must pause until costs are reduced or offset. The bill also establishes rules for funding independent cost analyses when agency estimates vary significantly and mandates revised analyses after rule modifications. This bill aims to increase transparency around financial impacts of new regulations before they are finalized.