Rep. Barbara Dittrich

Maddy summaryAB 320 increases multiple court filing fees and requires these fees to be adjusted for inflation starting in 2030. It raises specific fees, such as the civil filing fee from $75 to $190 and the criminal case fee from $163 to $239, with future adjustments tied to the U.S. consumer price index. These changes directly affect individuals filing court cases (e.g., defendants in criminal matters, plaintiffs in civil or family cases) who pay these fees. The bill mandates that fee amounts be recalculated every five years based on inflation data, rounded up to the nearest dollar, and posted online by the state courts director. The adjustments apply to over 20 specific fee categories across criminal, civil, and family court proceedings.

Maddy summaryAB 217 raises competitive bidding thresholds for local government contracts in the state. It increases the general public work bidding threshold from $25,000 to $50,000 and the notice threshold from $5,000 to $10,000. For highway contracts specifically, it sets a $25,000 bidding threshold and $5,000 notice threshold. The bill also requires these thresholds to automatically adjust every five years based on inflation, using the U.S. Consumer Price Index. This directly affects towns and local governments when contracting for public projects above these new dollar amounts.

Maddy summaryAB 530 restricts drone operations over school properties, directly affecting anyone flying drones near public, private, or tribal schools. The bill prohibits drones over school grounds without authorization, except for specific law enforcement or emergency purposes like search/rescue, locating escaped prisoners, or preventing imminent danger. Violations carry a maximum $5,000 penalty, and evidence from drone recordings related to violations must be handled by law enforcement or correctional authorities. The law clarifies definitions for "school" and "public protective services agency" to ensure consistent application.

Maddy summaryAB 670 exempts businesses providing certain contract research services from state sales and use tax. It defines "contract research services" as research conducted for a client that would qualify as "qualified research" if done by the client’s own employees. The bill specifically includes research funded between companies in the same corporate group and research covered under federal tax rules for "contract research expenses." This exemption directly benefits research service providers in the state, reducing their tax burden for qualifying work. The bill aligns state tax treatment with federal research credit definitions under the Internal Revenue Code.

Maddy summaryAB 778 changes eligibility rules for Wisconsin's Transform Milwaukee Jobs and Transitional Jobs programs. It requires applicants to have neither filed for unemployment insurance benefits nor be eligible for them. The bill repeals an existing eligibility provision (49.163(2)(am)4) and amends the current rule (49.163(2)(am)5) to clarify this requirement. This directly affects individuals seeking employment assistance through these specific Milwaukee-based workforce programs. The change simplifies eligibility by excluding those currently accessing unemployment benefits.

Maddy summaryAB 453 requires counties and cities to include specific elements in their comprehensive land-use plans, such as 20-year projections of residential development (in 5-year increments) and maps showing current/future land uses, including environmentally sensitive areas. It mandates that local ordinances related to residential development must align with these plans, though density requirements (specifying minimum/maximum residential units per acre) apply only to cities, not towns or counties. The bill affects local governments by standardizing planning processes for residential growth and ensuring consistency between zoning rules and long-term land-use goals. It does not create new taxes or funding but updates existing planning statute requirements.

Maddy summaryAB 239 prohibits harassment of search and rescue dogs trained by state or nationally recognized agencies to locate missing people during disasters. It defines these dogs specifically and bans actions harming them while they perform official duties. Violations carry penalties ranging from a Class B forfeiture for basic violations to a Class H felony if the dog’s death results from intentional harm. The law applies directly to anyone who harasses these dogs, with stricter penalties for intentional acts causing injury or death. This bill strengthens protections for animals critical to emergency response efforts.

Maddy summaryAB 19 increases penalties for crimes against elders (60+ years) and adults at risk (a defined term under state law) by raising felony classifications for physical abuse and sexual assault. It requires courts to allow these victims to participate in hearings via phone or video, and allows asset freezes for defendants charged with financial exploitation of such victims. Crucially, the bill states that defendants cannot claim ignorance of the victim’s age or status as a defense. The bill directly affects vulnerable adults, courts handling related cases, and defendants facing charges under these provisions. It amends multiple statutes to implement these changes without creating new offenses.

Maddy summaryAB 155 designates a specific segment of U.S. Highway 12 in Lake Delton, Sauk County, as the "Tom Diehl Memorial Highway." The bill requires the state transportation department to officially mark this portion of the highway with the memorial name. This is a commemorative designation with no substantive policy changes or financial impact beyond signage. It directly affects the highway location in Lake Delton and honors Tom Diehl through the naming.

Maddy summaryAB 562 requires the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) to erect signs marking the Mississippi River Trail after municipalities along the route approve the trail's path. Once municipalities adopt resolutions supporting the trail, the DOT must notify the legislative bureau and erect signs within 18 months. The bill allows the DOT to request supplemental funding from the finance committee without needing to declare an emergency. This procedural bill directly affects local governments (through approval requirements) and the DOT (through signage implementation), focusing solely on physical trail signage.