Rep. Chanz Green

Maddy summaryAB 798 requires the Department of Transportation (DMV) to ask applicants for driver's licenses or ID cards whether they want to provide contact information for up to three primary caregivers during the application process. If provided, the DMV stores this information securely in the applicant's file. Law enforcement agencies can electronically request and access this caregiver information (along with emergency contacts from another law section) during emergencies, but the DMV cannot share it with anyone else. The bill aims to improve emergency contact access while maintaining privacy protections for applicants.

Maddy summaryAB 795 requires Wisconsin's Department of Public Instruction to create a free online portal where the public can search for license holder information. The portal must include the names of license holders under investigation, the outcome of those investigations (including voluntary license surrender), and the names of individuals whose licenses were revoked. This affects licensed professionals (like educators or healthcare workers) whose records are accessed through the portal, as well as the Department of Public Instruction, which must maintain and update the portal. The bill mandates specific data points be included, such as investigation dates and reasons, without disclosing confidential details during active cases. It does not change investigation procedures but increases public access to existing disciplinary records.

Maddy summaryAJR 1 is a constitutional amendment requiring voters to present valid photo identification to cast a ballot in any election. It directly affects all voters in state elections, specifying that acceptable ID must be issued by the state, federal government, a federally recognized tribal entity, or a college/university in the state. The bill mandates the legislature to define acceptable ID types and establish exceptions, while allowing voters without ID on election day to cast a provisional ballot and submit ID later. This proposal, on second consideration after a 2023 rejection, would be submitted to voters in April 2025 if approved.

Maddy summaryAB 60 modifies how local governments must phrase property tax referendum questions on ballots. It requires specific language detailing the dollar impact of a tax increase on a median single-family home in the district, including a good faith estimate and the property value used in calculations. This applies to referendums seeking to exceed existing property tax limits for school districts, municipalities, or other political subdivisions. The bill mandates that ballot questions include these concrete financial details to help voters understand the cost of proposed tax increases.

Maddy summaryAJR 9 is a Wisconsin Assembly Joint Resolution honoring Bob Uecker, the longtime Milwaukee Brewers radio broadcaster and entertainer, for his 69-year career in baseball. The resolution recognizes his contributions as a broadcaster, actor (including "Mr. Belvedere" and "Major League"), philanthropist, and community figure, citing his 54-year tenure with the Brewers and his cultural impact. It does not create new laws or affect any policies - it is a symbolic tribute passed by the Wisconsin Legislature to memorialize his legacy. The resolution extends condolences to his family and acknowledges his widespread influence on baseball fans and Wisconsin.

Maddy summaryAB 144 reassigns judicial positions within the state's court of appeals system. It eliminates one judgeship in District IV (reducing its total from 4 to 3 judges) and adds one judgeship to District III (increasing its total from 4 to 5 judges). The change takes effect on August 1, 2026, with the District IV position ending on July 31, 2026, and a new District III judge elected in the spring 2026 election for a 2026-2032 term. This directly affects the court structures in Districts III and IV of the court of appeals.

Maddy summaryAB 120 proposes to increase the staffing of the Office of School Safety, which operates under the Department of Justice. The bill authorizes an additional 14.2 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions for the department. These new positions, funded by general purpose revenue, would become effective on October 1, 2025. The stated purpose of this increase is to support and enhance school safety initiatives.

Maddy summaryAB 228 creates specific provisions for tax incremental financing (TIF) districts that contain qualified data centers, affecting local legislative bodies and data center developers. It exempts these "data center districts" from a 12 percent limit findings requirement when being created or having their project plans amended, provided all project costs are related to the data center. However, a project plan for such an excepted data center district cannot later be amended to include costs unrelated to the data center. Additionally, the value increment from these excepted data center districts cannot be included when calculating the 12 percent limit for other TIF districts.

Maddy summaryAB 159 creates a grant program to support rural creative economy development in Wisconsin. It provides competitive grants of up to $50,000 to eligible applicants - including rural cities, tribes, nonprofits, and economic development organizations - for projects like renovating public spaces, supporting public arts, and promoting local creative businesses. Applicants must secure matching funds from nonstate sources (with no more than 25% in-kind), and grants must directly benefit rural areas defined as populations under 10,000 or non-urbanized regions. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation must report on the program's effectiveness by May 2027.

Maddy summaryAB 36 allows retired law enforcement officers and firefighters in Wisconsin to opt out of rejoining the state retirement system if they return to work for a local government employer. It specifically applies to those who retire and later get rehired by a participating employer (like a city or county fire department). The bill requires three conditions: the retiree must not have a prior agreement to return to that employer, must not have a pending employment contract, and must actively choose not to rejoin the retirement system using a department-provided form. This prevents automatic re-enrollment in the retirement system for these specific retirees who choose to opt out.