Rep. Chanz Green

Maddy summaryAB 990 would require Wisconsin high school students to earn at least 0.5 credits in personal financial literacy to graduate. The bill specifies that this course must cover topics like money management, saving/investing, credit/debt, and risk management. Schools could award credit for approved programs offered by financial institutions through school-based branches, as determined by the school board. This requirement would apply to students in high school grades once the law is enacted.

Maddy summaryAB 977 modifies registration requirements for nonmotorized boats that aren't sailboats. It creates a new rule requiring registration for such boats operated within "vehicle admission areas" (areas requiring vehicle entry fees, like some public parks). The bill also removes specific registration fees for non-sail nonmotorized boats from certain fee calculations. This directly affects recreational boaters using non-sail, nonmotorized boats in designated public water areas with vehicle admission fees.

Maddy summaryAB 978 creates a mandatory hiking permit system for hikers using groomed trails on state-owned land (excluding vehicle admission areas). It requires adults to pay a $20 annual fee, youth aged 12+ pay $10, and children under 12 hike for free, with additional 75-cent processing fees. The bill grants the department rule-making authority to manage permit issuance, agents, and a statewide automated system, while allowing exemptions for activities incidental to other approvals, organized events, or existing trail passes. Fees collected fund the permit system and are managed through specific appropriation accounts.

Maddy summaryAB 980 requires bicyclists to have a permit to ride on state-owned trails (excluding highways and vehicle admission areas), with fees of $40 for adults, $20 for teens 12+, and free for children under 12. It allows temporary receipts for immediate access while processing permanent permits and exempts organized events and existing trail pass holders. The state Department of Natural Resources may issue permits directly or appoint agents, who can collect a 75-cent fee (with 50 cents retained for agent compensation). The bill creates new fee structures and rule-making authority for permit administration on state trails.

Maddy summaryAB 979 requires cross-country skiers to purchase a permit when skiing on state-owned land (excluding vehicle admission areas), with fees set at $40 for adults, $20 for youth 12+, and free for children under 12. Temporary receipts allow immediate access pending full permit issuance, and a 75-cent issuing fee applies to all permits for those 12+. The bill exempts organized events and existing trail pass holders from the permit requirement. It grants the state department rule-making authority to manage permit issuance and includes a funding appropriation for administration.

Maddy summaryAB 981 requires foraging permits for collecting plants or fungi from state-owned land (excluding vehicle admission areas) for food, medicine, or other uses. It sets fees of $40 for adults, $20 for teens 12+ (with $0 for children under 12) and mandates that permit holders carry proof while foraging or possessing collected items. The bill authorizes the department to issue permits directly, through appointed agents, or via contracted third-party systems, and establishes rules for fee collection and permit verification. These changes apply directly to individuals who forage on state lands, creating a regulated system for recreational and personal use.

Maddy summaryAB 720 requires health insurance plans - including defined network plans, preferred provider plans, and government self-insured plans - to cover emergency ambulance services provided by non-participating ambulance providers. It mandates payment at the lowest of three rates: a mutually agreed rate, a local governmental rate, or 350% of the Medicare rate for the same area. Plans must pay ambulance providers directly within 30 days for clean claims, cannot impose additional costs on enrollees beyond standard cost-sharing, and must provide clear explanations for denied claims. The bill excludes air ambulance services and applies to all health insurance plans covering emergency medical services.

Maddy summaryAB 704 increases fees for snowmobile registration and trail use stickers in Wisconsin. It raises the public-use registration fee from $30 to $45 (with a $5 fee for political subdivisions), keeps private-use registration fee-free, and increases trail sticker fees: from $49.25 to $69.25 for exempt snowmobiles, $9.25 to $19.25 for club members meeting specific criteria, and $29.25 to $49.25 for others. The bill directly affects snowmobile owners who register their vehicles or use public trails. Key provisions include standardized fee increases and a reduced rate for members of qualifying snowmobile clubs.

Maddy summaryAB 748 exempts home producers of shelf-stable food products (like pickled fruits/vegetables and baked goods) from state licensing requirements, directly affecting small-scale home cooks and cottage food businesses. The bill creates a registration system requiring producers to register with the department, maintain liability insurance, and label products with their registration number, preparation date, and a "made in a private home" statement. It limits annual sales to under $40,000 and mandates specific labeling for allergens, while requiring inspections for producers with sales between $10,000-$40,000. Producers must sell directly to consumers (e.g., farmers' markets or home delivery) and comply with new safety labeling and insurance rules. The bill replaces prior licensing rules with this structured framework for home food sales.

Maddy summaryAB 808 creates a "wetland assured delineation program" that allows certified professionals to perform wetland boundary identification work with the same legal effect as government-verified reports. It directly affects environmental consultants and wetland delineators who meet specific qualifications (e.g., associate degree with 8+ years experience or bachelor’s with 5+ years) and apply for certification through the Department of Natural Resources. Key provisions include requiring annual applications, mandating reports by March 15 (with limited 12-month extensions), and allowing certified delineators’ work to bypass department confirmation under certain conditions. The program also establishes department oversight through performance reviews and audits to ensure compliance with wetland delineation standards.