Rep. Chuck Wichgers

Maddy summaryAB 422 extends the time limit for prosecuting crimes involving hidden bodies. It allows prosecutors to file charges within the standard statute of limitations period or within 6 years after the corpse is discovered or identified, whichever date is later. This directly affects homicide cases where bodies are concealed and discovered years after the crime, giving prosecutors additional time to pursue charges. The bill creates a new provision in state law that applies to cases where the original time limit had not expired when the law took effect.

Maddy summaryAB 433 changes the required typeface for legal notices published in newspapers from Times New Roman to Arial. It mandates that all legal notices use a standard 6-point Arial sans-serif font with specific spacing, while allowing larger Arial sizes (up to 12-point) with proportional fee adjustments based on column area. This directly affects newspapers publishing legal notices and the agencies or individuals placing those notices. The bill repeals the previous typeface requirement and clarifies fee adjustments for non-standard font sizes.

Maddy summaryAB 195 clarifies rules for property transfers after death and related financial processes. It specifies that Transfer-on-Death (TOD) beneficiary designations only take effect after the owner's death, and owners can revoke these designations anytime by recording a new document meeting specific requirements. The bill also standardizes how deposits must be returned when real estate contracts are rescinded (to the seller or third-party assignee) and outlines acceptable documents for filing satisfaction of judgments. It requires property tax bills as evidence when transferring property after a person's death, streamlining documentation for county offices. These changes primarily affect property owners, real estate professionals, and court clerks handling property transfers and judgments.

Maddy summaryAB 212 requires out-of-state health care providers to register with the state department or credentialing board to legally offer telehealth services to patients within the state. To register, providers must hold an active, unencumbered license from another state or territory that permits similar services, provide proof of malpractice insurance, disclose disciplinary history, and designate a state agent for legal notices. The state will maintain a public online registry listing registered providers, including their out-of-state credentials, specialty, insurance details, and disciplinary history. This bill directly affects telehealth providers from other states seeking to serve patients in this state, while prohibiting them from opening local offices or offering in-person care without a full state license.

Maddy summaryAB 97 extends health coverage under Wisconsin's Medicaid program (Medical Assistance) for postpartum women from 60 days to 365 days after pregnancy, directly affecting pregnant and postpartum women who qualify for the program. The bill changes eligibility rules to ensure coverage continues without regard to income changes during this extended period. It also adds a provision allowing women with family incomes above 300% of the poverty line to qualify if their income is spent on medical care or health insurance premiums. This policy update aims to provide longer-term health coverage for new mothers during a critical postpartum period.

Maddy summaryAB 555 creates a new Class H felony charge for intentionally disarming correctional officers while they are on duty. It specifically targets individuals who take dangerous weapons, devices (as defined in §941.26), or official duty items like radios, keys, or other tools from correctional officers without consent. The law applies when these items are being carried by the officer or within their immediate presence. This bill directly affects correctional officers working in state facilities and establishes criminal penalties for interference with their safety equipment during official duties.

Maddy summaryAB 275 modifies state law to require government agencies to pay legal fees and costs when a court rules that an administrative rule is invalid (e.g., because it violates the constitution or was improperly created). It specifically directs that these costs - awarded to successful challengers - be paid from designated state funds under statutes 20.865(1)(a), (g), or (q). The bill applies to challenges involving agency rules or guidance documents and ensures fees are limited to the scope of the rule validity challenge. This change affects state agencies (who must cover costs) and individuals or groups challenging agency rules (who can recover legal expenses).

Maddy summaryAB 276 sets time limits for state agencies' "statements of scope" when creating administrative rules. It requires permanent rule statements to expire after 30 months and emergency rule statements after 6 months, preventing agencies from using expired statements to propose new rules. The bill also mandates separate statements for concurrent emergency and permanent rules and limits agencies to one rule per statement. These changes directly affect state agencies developing regulations and ensure legislative review occurs within defined timeframes. The bill does not alter rule content but streamlines the process for agency rulemaking and legislative oversight.

Maddy summaryAB 274 establishes a 7-year expiration cycle for Wisconsin administrative rules, requiring state agencies to formally request "readoption" before rules expire. It directly affects state agencies that create and maintain administrative rules, mandating they submit detailed notices to the legislature with specific information about each rule's purpose, legal basis, and compliance status. Key provisions include new requirements for readoption notices (including statements on rule compliance), a process for legislative committees to review these notices, and a schedule for expiring rules that were in effect before 2025. The bill also creates a rules procedures manual to guide agencies on drafting and legislative review. These changes streamline rule expiration and renewal while increasing transparency for lawmakers.

Maddy summaryAB 277 requires state agencies to provide detailed cost analyses for new rules that may affect businesses, local governments, or individuals. Agencies must quantify all expected implementation and compliance costs (and potential savings) over a two-year period, broken down by affected groups, and report this as a single net dollar figure. If projected costs exceed $10 million, the rulemaking process must pause until costs are reduced or offset. The bill also establishes rules for funding independent cost analyses when agency estimates vary significantly and mandates revised analyses after rule modifications. This bill aims to increase transparency around financial impacts of new regulations before they are finalized.