Rep. Angela Stroud

Maddy summaryAB 763 caps the annual percentage rate (APR) for most consumer loans at 36%, affecting licensed lenders regulated by the Department of Financial Institutions. It requires these lenders to report detailed data on high-rate loans, including the number of loans above 18% APR, repossession rates, and default outcomes. The bill also clarifies who qualifies as a lender to prevent evasion, such as disguising loans as property sales or leasebacks. These changes aim to increase transparency and limit excessive interest charges for borrowers.

Maddy summaryAB 764 reforms payday loan regulations in the state. It defines "payday loan" as short-term, unsecured loans with terms under six months and requires lenders to verify borrowers' repayment ability before issuing loans. The bill caps total debt from all lenders at $1,500 or 35% of a borrower's monthly income, bans loans with maturity dates under 90 days, and mandates that all loans use precomputed interest (interest calculated upfront). These changes directly affect payday lenders and borrowers by imposing new underwriting standards, debt limits, and loan term requirements.

Maddy summaryAB 708 extends the lifespan of tax incremental districts (TIDs) used for housing improvements by up to three years after a city pays off project costs. It directly affects cities that have established TIDs for housing development, allowing them to continue using tax increment financing beyond the district's original expiration. The bill requires cities to submit extension resolutions to the Department of Revenue and obtain joint review board approval for extensions longer than one year. This change aims to provide more flexibility for cities to complete housing projects without losing access to dedicated funding streams.

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 760 raises the monetary threshold for certain small claims court cases from $5,000 to $10,000. It directly affects individuals filing third-party complaints, personal injury claims, or tort actions with claims of $10,000 or less. The bill changes the statute to allow these specific claim types to be handled in small claims court instead of regular civil court when the amount sought is $10,000 or less. This policy change simplifies access to a faster, less formal court process for qualifying cases.

Maddy summaryAB 721 creates a new income tax credit for beginning farmers and owners of farm assets in Wisconsin. Beginning farmers who lease or purchase agricultural assets (like land, equipment, or livestock) and asset owners who lease those assets to them can claim a credit equal to 5% of the lease or sales price paid each year. The credit is capped at $75,000 annually and only applies to the first three years of a lease. To qualify, claimants must provide eligibility certification and meet residency requirements, with partnerships and LLCs passing credit amounts to individual members.

Maddy summaryAB 719 replaces Wisconsin's existing "expenditure restraint incentive program" with a new "municipality payment program" that guarantees annual payments to eligible municipalities. The bill directly affects municipalities that received payments under the old program in 2024, 2025, or 2026, ensuring they receive each year a payment equal to their highest historical amount from those three years. Key provisions include creating a new payment account in the local government fund, setting payment schedules for July and November, and phasing out the old program after 2026 (effective July 2027). This change provides long-term budget certainty for municipalities while modifying the state's funding mechanism.

Maddy summaryAB 735 creates a centralized online clearinghouse for Wisconsin small businesses, requiring the state Department to compile and publish key information on a single website. The clearinghouse will include details on government contract bidding opportunities, economic development programs, business training/events, licensing/permit requirements, and tax/fee obligations from state and local agencies. This bill directly affects Wisconsin small businesses by making it easier to access government resources and compliance information in one place. The clearinghouse will be coordinated with agencies like the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and the Department of Revenue.

Maddy summaryAB 809 prohibits state and local government funding for investigations into pregnancy outcomes (like miscarriage or stillbirth) when treating the person as a crime suspect. It bans law enforcement from investigating individuals as suspects solely due to their own pregnancy outcomes, requiring consent before investigating cases involving others' pregnancy outcomes. The bill exempts women from civil or criminal liability for pregnancy outcomes (including miscarriage, abortion, or stillbirth) and amends statutes to clarify that abortion-related legal protections apply. It directly affects women experiencing pregnancy outcomes, law enforcement agencies, and health services (with limited exceptions for health investigations). The bill creates new legal protections by restricting investigations and eliminating liability for pregnancy-related events.

Maddy summaryAB 805 creates a program to reimburse corn farmers for seed coating that deters sandhill cranes from eating corn seeds. Eligible farmers must have produced at least $6,000 in gross farm revenue the previous year and plant corn on agricultural land. The program covers up to 50% of seed coating costs (max $6,250 per farmer per planting season), prioritizing farmers with prior crane permits, recent reimbursement, or documented vulnerability to crane damage. It is funded by a $1.875 million annual appropriation for two years to cover reimbursements and administrative costs.