Rep. Warren Petryk

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state agencies overseeing workforce development programs to annually track and publicly report on specific performance metrics, such as participant employment rates and earnings. The law defines these programs broadly to include job training, job placement services, and initiatives like reintegration efforts for offenders and assistance for workers facing business closures. Additionally, the bill mandates that employers planning business closings or mass layoffs provide affected employees with contact information for local workforce resources to help them find new opportunities.

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 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 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 Wisconsin bill proposes expanding the state's individual income tax brackets to apply to higher income levels. It would create two new tax tiers for single filers, heads of households, and married couples, taxing income between $14,320 and $112,500 at 4.40 percent and income above $315,310 at 7.65 percent. The legislation also includes provisions to adjust these tax brackets annually based on changes in the consumer price index to account for inflation. Although the bill passed the legislature, the Governor vetoed it, and the measure failed to override that veto.

Maddy summaryThis Wisconsin bill proposes allowing the Secretary of Administration to temporarily transfer employees from any state agency to the Department of Workforce Development to help manage unemployment insurance appeals. Under the plan, transferred workers would serve as appeal tribunal members for up to 120 days, with the option to extend this period if the Joint Committee on Finance approves. The legislation ensures that neither the employee's original agency nor the Department of Workforce Development can raise the transferred employee's salary during the assignment. Although the bill was passed by the legislature, the Governor vetoed it in August 2023, and subsequent attempts to override the veto failed.

Maddy summaryThis Wisconsin bill creates a revolving loan fund to help licensed child care providers finance renovations to their facilities. The program provides interest-free loans with no repayment fees, offering up to $30,000 for in-home care providers and up to $95,000 for center-based providers. To qualify, providers must submit a business plan and financial forecast, and they must maintain enrollment of children who are not relatives of the provider. The state retains the right to terminate the loan and demand immediate repayment if the facility fails to meet enrollment requirements or if the provider becomes unable to repay the debt. Although the bill passed the legislature, the Governor vetoed it, and the state legislature did not override the veto.

Maddy summaryAssembly Bill 150 updates Wisconsin's unemployment insurance law to rename the program "reemployment assistance" and establishes a new division within the Department of Workforce Development to manage it. The bill tightens eligibility rules by requiring job seekers to make at least two direct contacts with employers each week after their first week of benefits and mandates that they post current resumes on the state's job center website. Additionally, the legislation requires claimants nearing the end of their benefits to attend reemployment counseling and ensures they are offered at least four specific job opportunities weekly, including those with temporary staffing agencies. The bill also mandates that the department immediately create rules for drug testing applicants in occupations where such testing is standard and requires the state to continue participating in federal reemployment grants.