Rep. Peter Schmidt

Maddy summaryThis bill would have required public schools and private schools in Wisconsin to label their athletic teams and sports as male, female, or mixed-sex based on the sex assigned at birth. It prohibited students from participating in sports designated for the opposite sex and mandated written notice to students and parents if a team's designation changed. The legislation also established legal rights for female students to sue schools for damages if they were denied participation or faced retaliation for reporting violations. Although the bill passed the legislature, the governor vetoed it, and the state legislature did not override that veto.

Maddy summaryThis Wisconsin bill modifies the state's unemployment insurance law to improve how the department handles job search verification and fraud prevention. It allows employers to report when a job seeker declines offers, fails to attend interviews, or cannot perform available work, requiring the department to investigate these reports to determine eligibility. The legislation also establishes a legal presumption that anyone using a claimant's security credentials is acting on their behalf, while making the claimant responsible for protecting their login information and liable for benefits paid to unauthorized users. Additionally, the bill mandates that the department submit an annual report to the legislature detailing its efforts to detect and prosecute unemployment insurance fraud.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the Wisconsin married persons credit by increasing the maximum benefit amount for spouses with lower earned income. Specifically, it raises the credit limit from $480 to $870 for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2023. The change applies to married couples filing joint state tax returns where one spouse has earned income. The legislation was ultimately vetoed by the Governor and did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis Wisconsin bill aimed to update the rules for paying to access the official voter registration list. It allowed individuals to request an electronic copy of the list for a fee set by the state commission, capped at $250. The legislation also permitted an additional charge to cover the costs of printing and mailing a physical copy of the list. Although the bill passed the legislature, the Governor vetoed it, and it did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis Wisconsin bill proposes to lower individual income tax rates for residents in the third tax bracket while simultaneously expanding the retirement income subtraction available to retirees. The legislation would allow more retirees to exclude a larger portion of their pension and retirement account withdrawals from state taxable income, with specific provisions added for those who are permanently and totally disabled. Although the bill passed the legislature, it was vetoed by the Governor and ultimately failed to become law.

Maddy summaryThis Wisconsin bill proposes changes to the state's unemployment insurance law, specifically requiring the Joint Committee on Finance to approve certain federally authorized benefits before they are implemented. The legislation would mandate that the governor notify the committee whenever federal actions increase weekly benefit rates, total benefit amounts, or add new stipends based on unemployment eligibility. Additionally, it restricts the transfer of block grant funds between different programs unless the Joint Committee on Finance explicitly approves the move. Although the bill was amended and placed on the calendar, it ultimately failed to pass the legislature in 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes specific rules that currently ban hunting wild animals with dogs in northern Wisconsin between May 1 and June 30. It also lifts restrictions on training dogs to hunt and on competitive dog trials in that same area and time frame. The changes apply to hunters, dog trainers, and participants in dog sports who operate in the region north of certain east-west highways. By repealing these administrative code sections, the legislation allows these activities to proceed year-round instead of limiting them to the summer months.

Maddy summaryAB 957 was a Wisconsin bill that sought to prevent local governments from passing stricter animal welfare rules on farms located in agricultural zones. The legislation would have barred cities and counties from setting their own standards for animal care, controlling medications, or limiting which species could be raised, provided these activities did not pose a threat to public health or safety. Although the bill passed the legislature, it was vetoed by the Governor and ultimately failed to become law.

Maddy summaryThis Wisconsin bill expands the state tax deduction for retirement income, allowing more people to exclude certain pension and savings withdrawals from their taxable income. It specifically increases the annual deduction limit and adds new categories of eligible payments, including those from the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Public Health Service. The legislation also clarifies the definition of disability for individuals under 65 who receive disability payments from non-retirement plans. Although the bill passed the legislature, the Governor vetoed it, and the state legislature did not override that veto, meaning the proposed changes did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill, which did not become law, would have prohibited state and local governments in Wisconsin from restricting the use or sale of motor vehicles based on their power source, such as whether they run on electricity or gasoline. The legislation aimed to prevent officials from banning electric vehicles or favoring specific fuel types in public policies, though it allowed agencies to set their own rules for purchasing vehicles for official government use. By defining "motor vehicle" broadly, the bill sought to ensure that no governmental entity could discriminate against vehicles powered by different energy sources in general regulations.