Rep. Chanz Green

Maddy summaryAB 511 classifies tobacco products into two categories for tax purposes: traditional cigarettes (burning tobacco) and "heating tobacco" products (tobacco heated without combustion, excluding vapor products). It imposes a $0.63 per cigarette tax on lighter heating tobacco products (≤3 pounds per thousand) and $1.26 on heavier ones, while traditional cigarettes face lower base rates ($0.126/$0.252) with federal tax adjustments. The bill also requires distributors to pay an inventory tax on existing stock when rates increase, due within 30 days of the rate change. This directly affects tobacco manufacturers, distributors, and retailers selling these products in the state. The legislation modifies existing tax structures without banning products or making health claims.

Maddy summaryAB 380 requires judges facing allegations of misconduct or permanent disability to be suspended without pay during disciplinary proceedings. It amends statutes to mandate that both final suspensions imposed by the Supreme Court for misconduct and temporary suspensions pending investigations must be without pay. The bill directly affects judges under investigation by the Judicial Commission or facing formal complaints. This policy change clarifies that judges cannot receive salary during these disciplinary processes, applying to all cases involving alleged misconduct or disability.

Maddy summaryAB 249 prohibits the abandonment of boats on state waters or adjacent land without landowner consent. It defines abandonment as leaving a boat unattended for over 7 days without intent to return, or leaving a neglected boat that poses navigation, safety, or environmental hazards. The bill requires law enforcement to issue a 30-day removal notice to owners; if not complied with, or if the boat presents an immediate hazard, authorities may remove it without notice. Violators face fines up to $10,000, up to 9 months in jail, or both, plus liability for removal costs. This directly affects boat owners who leave vessels unattended in waterways.

Maddy summaryAB 283 expands Wisconsin's business development tax credit to include specific child care costs incurred by employers for their employees. It allows businesses to claim a tax credit covering up to 15% of eligible expenses, such as capital costs to start a child care program, operational costs, reimbursements for employee child care, purchased child care slots, and contributions to dependent care flexible spending accounts. This directly affects businesses operating in Wisconsin that provide child care benefits to employees, making these costs deductible under the existing tax credit program. The bill modifies tax code sections to define these eligible expenses and sets the effective date for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryAB 560 prohibits municipalities from using physical drop boxes or other physical receptacles to collect voted absentee ballots in any election. Instead, the bill requires all absentee ballots to be returned exclusively by mail. This directly affects local governments that currently operate drop boxes for voter convenience. The law would eliminate a common method for returning absentee ballots, requiring voters to mail their completed ballots instead.

Maddy summaryAB 627 modifies licensing fees for animal-related businesses in Wisconsin. It creates three new market license classes: Class A ($420 annual fee) for markets selling livestock and wild animals, Class B ($220) for livestock-only sales with limited auctions, and Class E ($280) for equine-only sales (no wild animals or non-equine livestock). The bill also establishes a $20 annual fee for each animal transport vehicle and clarifies a $150 reinspection fee for violations. These changes directly affect animal market operators, dealers, truckers, and transport vehicle owners by adjusting their required annual fees and reinspection costs.

Maddy summaryAB 327 increases the empty weight limit for utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) from 3,000 pounds to 3,500 pounds under Wisconsin law. This change directly affects UTV operators and manufacturers by expanding the regulatory threshold for vehicles classified as UTVs (excluding golf carts, dune buggies, and tracked vehicles). The bill amends two sections of statutes to reflect this updated weight limit, which applies to vehicles originally manufactured with that weight capacity and designed primarily for off-highway use. The bill passed committee recommendations in November 2025 and is currently pending further legislative action.

Maddy summaryAB 222 establishes a $1.50 per gallon tax credit for producers of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in the state. The credit applies to SAF meeting a 90% renewable source requirement (from synthetic, renewable, and nonpetroleum sources like energy crops grown in the U.S.) and is available for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2027. Producers can claim the credit against state tax liability, but partnerships and similar entities cannot claim it directly - they must distribute credit eligibility to owners based on ownership shares. The bill also clarifies administrative rules and integrates the credit into existing tax code sections for consistency.

Maddy summaryAB 546 redefines "abortion" in state statutes to exclude specific medical procedures performed to save a pregnant woman's life when doctors make reasonable efforts to preserve both the mother's and unborn child's life. It clarifies that procedures like emergency cesareans, early inductions, or removal of dead embryos/fetuses - especially during ectopic, anembryonic, or molar pregnancies - do not count as abortion. The bill creates consistent definitions across multiple statutes (including 20.927, 48.375, and 69.01) to ensure these medical exceptions apply uniformly. It directly affects healthcare providers by clarifying legal boundaries for life-saving treatments during complex pregnancies. The bill does not restrict access to these procedures but explicitly defines them as non-abortion under the law.

Maddy summaryAB 138 modifies Wisconsin Retirement System rules for retirees who return to work. It specifically allows former jailers and protective occupation retirees (who previously received retirement benefits) to opt out of rejoining the retirement system if they are rehired by a participating employer within 75 days of leaving their prior job. To qualify, they must not have a pre-existing agreement to return and must formally decline re-enrollment using a department-provided form. This change applies only to those retiring from these specific roles and does not alter other retirement eligibility rules.