Rep. Cindi Duchow

Maddy summaryAB 199 changes reimbursement rates for ambulance services under Wisconsin's Medical Assistance program (state Medicaid) when patients are not transported to a facility. Starting January 1, 2027, the state will increase payments for "ambulance response and treatment, no transport" (code A0998) to match the rate for transport services (code A0429), directly benefiting ambulance providers. The bill also requires the Department of Health Services to annually report by September 15 on how national changes to emergency medical responder scope of practice may affect training in Wisconsin. These provisions specifically impact ambulance service providers, state health officials, and the Medical Assistance program.

Maddy summaryAB 411 would establish a "farmland link program" to connect agricultural producers with resources like land access, technical assistance, and market opportunities. The program would be administered by the Department of Agriculture, potentially using state funds identified in the fiscal estimate. This bill directly affects farmers and agricultural producers seeking support for land use and business development, with a public hearing held to gather input on its design. The proposal is still in committee review after its August 2025 introduction.

Maddy summaryAB 371 allows first-class cities to use automated red-light cameras at intersections with high accident rates (1.0+ annually over 5 years). It requires cities to place warning signs, capture images focused on license plates from behind, and limit camera use to no more than five intersections per city council district. Vehicle owners, not drivers, are liable for violations (like running red lights), with fines collected funding traffic safety programs - not general city budgets. Exceptions include stolen vehicles (reported within 7 days) or rentals/dealerships that provide lessee/operator details.

Maddy summaryAB 249 prohibits the abandonment of boats on state waters or adjacent land without landowner consent. It defines abandonment as leaving a boat unattended for over 7 days without intent to return, or leaving a neglected boat that poses navigation, safety, or environmental hazards. The bill requires law enforcement to issue a 30-day removal notice to owners; if not complied with, or if the boat presents an immediate hazard, authorities may remove it without notice. Violators face fines up to $10,000, up to 9 months in jail, or both, plus liability for removal costs. This directly affects boat owners who leave vessels unattended in waterways.

Maddy summaryAB 458 modifies standards for admitting expert witness testimony in court cases. It directly affects courts, lawyers, and parties involved in legal disputes where expert opinions are used, such as medical malpractice or accident investigations. The bill establishes new criteria for determining whether an expert's qualifications and methodology meet legal standards before testimony is allowed. This would require courts to evaluate the reliability and relevance of expert evidence more rigorously during pretrial proceedings. The bill is currently pending in the Judiciary Committee after its introduction and public hearing.

Maddy summaryAB 615 requires all public school districts and independent charter schools (K-8) to implement math screening tests three times yearly to identify students at-risk of not meeting grade-level math standards. Schools must then provide "quality math tutoring" (aligned with classroom instruction, offered 3 days weekly or 50 hours annually by state-approved providers) and develop personalized math plans for at-risk students within 30 days of identification. The bill also mandates schools with low 4th-grade math proficiency to create evidence-based achievement plans by 2026, including professional development for teachers. This law directly affects K-8 students identified as needing math support and schools serving those students.

Maddy summaryAB 51 clarifies that interscholastic athletic associations (nonprofits coordinating high school sports) may choose to follow public records and open meetings laws. If they elect to be governed by these laws, they can withhold records about individual referees and student participants. The bill also requires school districts to join such associations only if the association has elected to follow these public records rules. This creates a clear framework for how athletic associations handle transparency while maintaining operational flexibility.

Maddy summaryAB 599 simplifies absentee ballot access in Wisconsin by allowing voters to automatically receive absentee ballots for all elections after one application, eliminating the need to reapply annually. It removes the "indefinitely confined" voter status (previously requiring annual reapplication for voters confined in facilities) and establishes a new system where municipal clerks retain voter ID electronically until the voter opts out or ID expires. Voters must submit ID verification once, and clerks must notify them if ID expires. The bill also adds penalties for non-compliance with ID requirements, though specifics are not detailed in the provided text. This affects all Wisconsin voters who choose automatic absentee ballot delivery.

Maddy summaryAB 501 establishes new standards for free speech and academic freedom at University of Wisconsin System institutions and technical colleges. It protects students, faculty, staff, and graduate assistants from campus restrictions on First Amendment-protected speech, including in virtual spaces (except during virtual classroom instruction). Institutions may only limit speech that violates laws, constitutes threats/harassment, or materially disrupts operations, and must use content-neutral time/place/manner rules for public forums. The bill also creates legal grounds for individuals to sue the Board of Regents or technical college boards if these protections are violated.

Maddy summaryAB 420 requires all teacher preparatory programs in the state to include student teaching consisting of full days for a full semester (or equivalent), matching the cooperating school's schedule. It directly affects teacher training programs and applicants seeking teaching licenses, including those from out-of-state programs that must meet this same student teaching standard. The bill allows limited exceptions for calendar differences between institutions and schools, and specifies that the state superintendent must accept U.S. Department of Education-recognized accreditations for program approval. The bill was referred to the Education Committee in November 2025 but was laid on the table without further action.