Rep. Jim Piwowarczyk

Maddy summaryAB 630 requires sex offenders on parole or extended supervision who cannot provide a stable address to notify the state department within 24 hours of losing that ability. If they cannot provide an address, the state department must use passive positioning tracking (like GPS) to monitor their location. This applies specifically to individuals under supervision who are unable to meet standard address reporting requirements under existing law. The bill updates registration rules to ensure continuous oversight when address information is unavailable.

Maddy summaryAB 581 creates two new disaster assistance grant programs funded through the state budget: a $10 million annual program for individuals affected by disasters and a $20 million annual program for businesses impacted by disasters. The bill establishes new statutory sections (20.465(3)(bf) and 20.465(3)(bg)) to formalize these biennial funding streams. These grants will directly assist residents and small businesses recovering from declared disasters by providing direct financial support. The legislation specifies the exact funding amounts for each program in the state's budget schedule without detailing eligibility criteria or application processes.

Maddy summaryAB 546 redefines "abortion" in state statutes to exclude specific medical procedures performed to save a pregnant woman's life when doctors make reasonable efforts to preserve both the mother's and unborn child's life. It clarifies that procedures like emergency cesareans, early inductions, or removal of dead embryos/fetuses - especially during ectopic, anembryonic, or molar pregnancies - do not count as abortion. The bill creates consistent definitions across multiple statutes (including 20.927, 48.375, and 69.01) to ensure these medical exceptions apply uniformly. It directly affects healthcare providers by clarifying legal boundaries for life-saving treatments during complex pregnancies. The bill does not restrict access to these procedures but explicitly defines them as non-abortion under the law.

Maddy summaryAB 580 creates a state grant program to help individuals and businesses recover from disasters declared by the governor. It provides up to $25,000 per household for individuals to cover home repairs, damaged property, or temporary housing, and up to $50,000 per business for repairs, payroll, or operating costs. Applications must be submitted within 90 days of the disaster declaration, and grants cannot duplicate federal aid if available. The program is administered by the Department of Military Affairs, with eligibility requiring proof of disaster-related expenses and a commitment to repay if other aid is received.

Maddy summaryAB 545 prevents University of Wisconsin System institutions from charging students supplemental fees for exclusively online courses unless the fee covers specific, verifiable online costs or applies equally to in-person versions of the same course. It directly affects students enrolled in online courses at UW institutions, particularly non-resident students who might face higher fees. The bill adds a new requirement (36.27(1)(c)) that prohibits unjustified fees for online-only courses while allowing fees tied to actual online-specific expenses or those applied consistently to in-person equivalents. This policy change targets course-related charges, not tuition rates, and applies starting 30 days after the law takes effect.

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 245 modifies the state's sales and use tax exemption for businesses operating qualified data centers. It defines a "qualified data center" as buildings (or connected buildings) owned, leased, or operated by a single business entity, designed to house server computers for processing, storing, or managing data. The bill adds provisions allowing data centers to offer rental space, utilities, and infrastructure services to tenants, while explicitly excluding cryptocurrency-related facilities from the tax exemption. This directly affects data center operators and their tenants by clarifying eligibility for tax benefits and expanding allowable services.

Maddy summaryAB 417 creates a process for testing criminal defendants for certain communicable diseases (like HIV or sexually transmitted infections) without their consent in specific cases. It applies when defendants are charged with crimes involving bodily fluids (such as blood, semen, or saliva) that could transmit disease to victims, public safety workers, prosecutors, or correctional staff. The district attorney must seek a court order for testing, but can request an emergency order without a hearing if delaying testing risks immediate harm to those workers. Test results cannot reveal the defendant's identity, cannot be used in court, and cannot be added to the defendant's permanent medical records.

Maddy summaryAB 362 requires all public school districts and charter schools to create written cardiac emergency response plans for cardiac emergencies occurring on school property or at school-sponsored athletic events, starting in the 2026-27 school year. These plans must include core elements like designated response teams, clear AED placement and maintenance, annual drills, and staff training in CPR and AED use following American Heart Association guidelines. Schools must also ensure coaches at athletic events hold current CPR/AED certification and that AEDs are accessible at all athletic venues. The law directly affects all K-12 schools and their staff, aiming to improve immediate response to cardiac emergencies.

Maddy summaryAB 603 requires tax assessors to provide property owners with written notice at least seven days before entering their real property for assessment purposes. This bill directly affects residential and commercial property owners by giving them advance written notification of an assessor's planned visit. The key provision mandates that the taxation district must deliver this written notice in advance, ensuring property owners are informed of the assessment activity before it occurs. The bill creates a new statutory requirement (70.05 (4j)) to formalize this notice period.