Rep. Shelia Stubbs

Maddy summaryAB 846 increases state funding for two Wisconsin promotion programs. It adds $200,000 annually for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 to advertise the "Something Special from Wisconsin" brand and logo, and $300,000 annually for "Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin" grants. These funds, managed by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, directly support Wisconsin businesses participating in the state's marketing campaigns and local purchasing initiatives. The bill makes no new policy changes but allocates additional state appropriations to existing programs.

Maddy summaryAB 851 authorizes $25 million from the capital improvement fund to purchase agricultural conservation easements, which are agreements that limit development on farmland to preserve agricultural use. The bill creates new funding mechanisms (20.115 (7) (br) and (tb)) to reimburse costs for these easements and specifies payment procedures for the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. It directly affects landowners selling conservation easements and state agencies administering the program. The appropriation supports farmland conservation by enabling the state to acquire easements under Section 93.73. The bill repeals an outdated statute (23.197 (15)) and amends related sections to implement these funding changes.

Maddy summaryAB 852 establishes new grants for local governments to implement farmland preservation plans, including activities like updating zoning, creating farmland agreements, and monitoring compliance. It also requires the state to automatically adjust the farmland preservation tax credit for inflation annually using agricultural price data, ensuring the credit keeps pace with rising costs. These changes directly affect Wisconsin farmers who claim the tax credit and local governments (counties, cities, tribes) that receive implementation grants. The bill creates specific funding mechanisms through the working lands fund and sets eligibility criteria for grant recipients based on plan alignment and project effectiveness.

Maddy summaryAB 871 allows Milwaukee’s city government to install water, gas, sewer, and heat utility pipes (laterals/service pipes) on private property without the landowner’s permission under specific conditions. It applies only to absentee owners (non-residents) after the city makes at least three documented contact attempts, and with tenant consent for the property. Crucially, the city cannot charge property owners for these installations - the costs remain with the city. This change affects Milwaukee homeowners with vacant properties and tenants, streamlining utility upgrades while shifting financial responsibility from residents to the city.

Maddy summaryAB 877 requires environmental permits for facilities in defined "vulnerable communities" to include reports assessing combined pollution effects, health impacts, and unavoidable harms. It mandates public hearings with 30 days' notice and 21-day newspaper notices in the affected community before permits are issued. The department must deny permits if cumulative pollution from the facility creates an unreasonable health or environmental risk to the community, considering public feedback. This directly affects businesses seeking permits for facilities in census areas with high poverty rates (50%+ low-income households) plus significant minority populations or limited English proficiency.

Maddy summaryAB 876 creates a new $10 million annual grant program for Wisconsin school districts to fund energy efficiency projects in school buildings, starting in the 2025-2026 school year. The program prioritizes projects focused on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems for schools. The Department of Public Instruction will administer the grants and may develop rules to implement the program. This directly affects public school districts seeking funding for building upgrades to reduce energy costs.

Maddy summaryAB 895 modifies sentencing and parole procedures for individuals under 18 convicted of crimes. It requires courts to consider youth-specific mitigating factors and relevant information when determining eligibility for release to extended supervision or parole. The bill creates new provisions (e.g., § 302.114(5)(cs), § 304.06(1)(bc)) that apply specifically to "youthful offenders" as defined in § 973.014(3)(a). These changes directly affect minors in the state’s criminal justice system by mandating more individualized review of their cases during sentencing and parole decisions.

Maddy summaryAB 891 eliminates the "personal conviction" exemption from school immunization requirements in Wisconsin. It directly affects students attending public or private schools, child care centers, and nurseries, as well as their parents or guardians. The bill amends statutes (49.155 and 252.04) to restrict immunization waivers solely to health or religious reasons, removing the option for parents to cite personal beliefs as a justification. Schools must now inform families of this limited waiver process when notifying them about immunization requirements. This is a concrete policy change to narrow exemptions, not a procedural or commemorative measure.

Maddy summaryAB 830 requires the state transportation department to include specific goals in its long-range transportation plan, directly affecting how the department develops statewide infrastructure strategies. The bill mandates inclusion of a vision for low-carbon public transit, transportation electrification, cost-effective charging infrastructure, equitable clean transportation incentives, and solutions for underserved rural, low-income, and minority communities. The department must also submit a report within six months detailing progress on these requirements and future plans for implementation. This legislation sets concrete policy standards for sustainable and equitable transportation planning without specifying funding or enforcement mechanisms.

Maddy summaryAB 833 creates a state grant program to fund nonprofit organizations providing support services to human trafficking victims. The bill appropriates $1.25 million biennially for grants to nonprofits that coordinate with law enforcement and provide at least 50% private matching funds. Grants are capped at $125,000 per biennium for organizations offering housing services, or $50,000 for other support services like advocacy, medical care, or job training. The Department of Justice will administer the program and establish rules for grant distribution, prioritizing organizations with established law enforcement partnerships or capacity to serve large numbers of victims.