Rep. Chuck Wichgers

Maddy summaryAB 255 requires referral agencies that connect prospective residents to assisted living facilities to disclose key financial details to those residents before making referrals. Specifically, agencies must reveal any business relationships with facilities, the exact fixed referral fee paid by the facility, and that they only list facilities with which they have contracts. Prospective residents can also terminate an agency's services at any time, including stopping the use of their personal information. Violations carry penalties of up to $1,000 per violation, enforced by the state attorney general or local district attorneys. The bill directly affects referral agencies and prospective residents in Wisconsin assisted living facilities.

Maddy summaryAB 284 streamlines the management of state construction projects by raising the cost threshold for mandatory project enumeration from $1 million to $2 million. It requires quarterly budget reports for projects needing increases, sets a 6-month deadline for the Claims Board to resolve certain construction claims, and mandates state agencies to collaborate with energy conservation contractors on pilot projects. The bill also clarifies responsibilities for utility costs in contracts, modifies bidding procedures, and transfers $32 million from the general fund to the state building trust fund for infrastructure. These changes primarily affect state agencies, the building commission, and contractors managing public construction projects.

Maddy summaryAB 406 establishes the framework for setting resident undergraduate tuition and fee rates at the University of Wisconsin System. It directly affects Wisconsin residents enrolled in undergraduate programs across UW System campuses. The bill outlines the process for determining these rates, though specific dollar amounts or changes are not detailed in the current summary. Introduced in August 2025 and referred to the Consumer Protection committee, it is currently under review with a fiscal estimate received.

Maddy summaryAB 311 would allow transgender and intersex individuals to update their sex marker on birth certificates without requiring medical documentation. The bill directly affects people seeking to align their legal identity with their gender identity through simplified administrative changes. Key provisions would replace current requirements (like court orders or medical certifications) with a straightforward self-attestation process. The bill is currently under review in the Assembly Judiciary Committee after being introduced on June 6, 2025.

Maddy summaryAB 421 prohibits cities, towns, and counties from enacting "rights of nature" ordinances that grant legal rights to natural resources like rivers or forests. The bill defines such ordinances as those conferring rights to exist, be protected from pollution, or maintain healthy ecosystems. It creates a new state law (66.0132) banning these local measures, preventing municipalities from using this approach to legally protect natural areas. The bill was introduced in September 2025 and referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryAB 448 allows eligible nonprofit agricultural organizations (specifically, long-standing, member-directed cooperatives established before 1922 and meeting IRS 501(c)(5) requirements) to provide health benefit coverage exclusively to their members and members' families. Key provisions require these organizations to offer coverage in all state counties, provide written notice clarifying this is not health insurance, cover all physician services without preexisting condition exclusions beyond six months, and maintain sufficient financial reserves via annual actuarial reviews. The bill also mandates reinsurance with state-authorized companies and establishes complaint resolution processes mirroring those for standard health insurance. This framework directly affects qualifying agricultural co-ops and their members, creating a regulated pathway for member-only health benefits while ensuring basic consumer protections.

Maddy summaryAB 178 creates a new state grant program to fund county and tribal programs that offer treatment alternatives to jail for people facing criminal charges related to substance use or mental health issues. It requires these programs to use evidence-based treatment, integrate mental health services, and include graduated incentives for participants. The bill directly affects criminal defendants with substance use disorders or mental illness who qualify for these programs, as well as counties and tribes receiving grants. Key provisions include mandating collaboration between courts, prosecutors, public defenders, and health agencies to develop and oversee the programs, while exempting participants in approved programs from losing good time credit in jail.

Maddy summaryAB 401 creates penalties for damaging or defacing designated historical properties in Wisconsin. It directly affects individuals who intentionally damage such properties, including vandalism or graffiti on sites with historical significance. The bill establishes specific fines or penalties for these offenses, targeting property owners or vandals who harm protected historical landmarks. This legislation focuses on safeguarding culturally significant sites through new enforcement mechanisms.

Maddy summaryAB 7 requires local governments (cities, villages, or towns) to approve large-scale wind and solar projects (15 megawatts or more) before the Public Service Commission can approve them. Developers must seek municipal approval, which must be granted or denied within 90 days (with possible 90-day extensions for specific reasons). If a municipality fails to act within the deadline, the project is automatically approved. This bill directly affects renewable energy developers and local governments, shifting approval authority to municipalities for qualifying projects.

Maddy summaryAB 405 requires public schools in Wisconsin to include specific instruction on pregnancy, prenatal development, and childbirth within existing human growth and development curriculum. It directly affects K-12 students and educators by mandating these topics be taught as part of standard health education. The bill amends current curriculum standards to ensure this content is integrated into required instructional programs. This is a substantive policy change to educational content, not a procedural or commemorative measure.