Rep. Chuck Wichgers

Maddy summaryAB 136 makes it a Class A misdemeanor to intentionally impersonate a peace officer, firefighter, emergency medical services practitioner, or emergency medical responder with the intent to mislead others into believing the person is actually an emergency personnel member. The bill directly affects individuals who falsely claim these roles to deceive others, such as by wearing uniforms or using official equipment. Key provisions define specific penalties for each type of impersonation, clarifying that the offense applies when someone acts with deceptive intent. This legislation updates Wisconsin law to explicitly classify these impersonations as criminal acts with standardized misdemeanor penalties.

Maddy summaryAB 237 extends the age limit for infants covered under Wisconsin's safe haven law from 72 hours to 30 days. This means parents can now safely relinquish an infant to a hospital or emergency responder without legal consequences if the child is 30 days old or younger, instead of only 72 hours. The bill modifies three statutes to update references to "72 hours" to "30 days" in the legal definitions for safe haven surrender, court findings of relinquishment, and related procedures. It directly affects parents seeking to surrender newborns and impacts hospitals, law enforcement, and child welfare systems that handle these surrenders. The change provides a longer window for parents to make this decision while maintaining the legal framework for safe relinquishment.

Maddy summaryAB 677 creates a new criminal offense for "grooming a child for sexual activity," defined as manipulating a child to facilitate sexual abuse. This law directly affects individuals convicted of such grooming behavior, adding it as a punishable offense under Wisconsin statutes like 948.02 (sexual exploitation of a child) and 948.072 (grooming). Key provisions amend multiple laws to include grooming as a disqualifying factor for home placements, licensing for childcare, and reporting requirements, while defining it as a "serious crime" for entities serving minors. The bill does not change existing penalties for actual sexual abuse but establishes grooming itself as a distinct criminal violation with specific legal consequences.

Maddy summaryAJR 97 designates October 2025 as "Careers in Construction Month" in Wisconsin. The resolution highlights construction as a major industry employing nearly 6% of Wisconsin's workforce and emphasizes career pathways through apprenticeships without student debt. It encourages employers, schools, and communities to host job fairs and events during that month to promote construction careers. The bill does not create new laws or affect specific individuals - it is a symbolic recognition of the industry’s role in building homes, schools, and infrastructure.

Maddy summaryAJR 91 is a ceremonial joint resolution recognizing the U.S. Navy's 250th birthday on October 13, 2025, marking the anniversary of the Continental Congress vote to establish the Navy on October 13, 1775. It expresses the Wisconsin Legislature's appreciation for the Navy's historical service and its legacy of defending U.S. freedoms, values, and interests over 250 years. The resolution has no binding effect or policy changes; it solely serves to honor the Navy's history and its connections to Wisconsin through shipbuilding, named vessels, and military contributions.

Maddy summaryAB 346 modifies fleet registration requirements for certain motor vehicles, specifically targeting commercial or organizational vehicle fleets (like rental companies or corporate fleets). The bill's exact provisions - such as fee adjustments, registration process changes, or eligibility criteria - are not detailed in the provided context. It directly affects businesses and organizations operating multiple vehicles under a single registration. The bill passed all legislative stages on October 14-17, 2025, but the specific policy changes cannot be summarized without access to the bill's text.

Maddy summaryAB 424 clarifies key terms in Wisconsin's mobile and manufactured home rental laws. It defines "community" as land with 3+ rental plots (excluding farms), specifies "operator" as the business renting sites, and clarifies "resident" as someone occupying a home as their primary residence. These changes help ensure consistent application of existing rental rules for mobile home renters and community operators. The bill does not create new requirements but refines legal terminology to improve clarity.

Maddy summaryAJR 92 is a ceremonial resolution recognizing the U.S. Marine Corps' 250th birthday on November 10, 2025. It formally celebrates the Marine Corps' history, beginning with its founding by the Continental Congress on November 10, 1775, and acknowledges its ongoing service, including active-duty personnel and training at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin. The resolution contains no new policies, funding, or legal requirements - it solely expresses the Wisconsin Legislature's symbolic appreciation for the Marine Corps' 250 years of service. As a procedural resolution, it does not directly affect any individuals or change existing laws.

Maddy summaryAB 123 defines "driving miles" as the actual road distance between locations and requires parents with court-ordered physical placement to seek court permission before relocating more than 100 driving miles from the other parent. If parents already live more than 100 miles apart, relocation only requires 60 days' written notice (including new address and move date) instead of a court motion. The bill allows parents to agree on relocation through a stipulation, which the court may incorporate into an order unless it deems the change not in the child's best interest. This directly affects parents in Wisconsin family court cases involving child custody and relocation disputes.

Maddy summaryAB 271 allows commercial motor vehicles operating in Wisconsin (intrastate commerce) to use camera monitor systems instead of traditional mirrors, provided the systems meet federal safety standards. The bill specifically permits systems exempted under federal regulations (49 CFR 393.80) or approved as mirror alternatives in federal safety standards. This change directly affects commercial truck and bus operators by removing a requirement for physical mirrors when using federally compliant camera systems. The law aligns Wisconsin statute with existing federal approvals, without creating new safety standards.