Rep. Jessie Rodriguez

Maddy summaryAJR 3 is a symbolic resolution that officially recognizes January 2025 as "Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month" in Wisconsin. It does not create new laws or allocate funding but aims to raise public awareness about human trafficking, highlighting its prevalence across all 72 Wisconsin counties and its impact on vulnerable groups like youth and individuals with disabilities. The resolution aligns with broader state and national efforts to combat trafficking through education and community engagement. As a procedural resolution, it focuses solely on designation and awareness, with no direct policy changes or obligations for state agencies.

Maddy summaryAB 143 modifies vehicle law to clarify that vehicle owners or renters can be held liable for allowing unlicensed drivers to operate a vehicle, regardless of whether they knew the driver lacked a license. It adds new provisions (343.45(2m) and 343.46(2m)) stating that authorization or rental rules apply without requiring knowledge of the operator's license status. Violations carry fines: up to $1,000 for a first offense and up to $10,000 for repeat offenses. The bill directly affects vehicle owners, renters, and businesses that rent vehicles, as they face penalties if unlicensed operators use their vehicles. It does not change licensing requirements for drivers but shifts liability to those who permit unlicensed operation.

Maddy summaryAJR 25 is a joint resolution that formally proclaims April 24, 2025, as Holocaust Remembrance Day and April 27, 2025, to May 4, 2025, as Holocaust Days of Remembrance in Wisconsin. This resolution aims to raise public awareness throughout Wisconsin about the Holocaust and its impact on world history and shared humanity.

Maddy summaryAssembly Bill 11 mandates that hospitals must obtain written informed consent from a patient before a pelvic examination is performed solely for educational purposes while the patient is under general anesthesia or otherwise unconscious. This bill creates a new statute requiring hospitals to ensure this consent is secured. Additionally, it directs hospitals to establish and maintain written policies and procedures that enforce this requirement for educational pelvic exams on unconscious patients.

Maddy summaryAssembly Bill 8 establishes a legal framework for "direct primary care agreements" between health care providers and patients. These agreements allow patients or their employers to pay a direct subscription fee for a defined set of primary care services, rather than billing an insurer on a fee-for-service basis for those specific services. The bill outlines criteria for valid agreements, including requirements for written contracts, clear disclosures that these are not health insurance, and rules regarding termination and patient selection. It prohibits providers from declining or terminating an agreement solely based on a patient's health status or other protected characteristics.

Maddy summaryAssembly Bill 43 permits pharmacists to prescribe and dispense hormonal contraceptive patches and self-administered oral hormonal contraceptives to individuals aged 18 and older. Pharmacists must adhere to new rules, including requiring patients to complete a self-assessment questionnaire and undergo a blood pressure screening. The bill also mandates that pharmacists report prescriptions to the patient's primary care provider, provide a written record, and carry malpractice liability insurance. Furthermore, it ensures these contraceptives are covered under Medical Assistance when prescribed by pharmacists and grants the Pharmacy Examining Board authority for related rule-making.

Maddy summaryAB 139 creates a $10,000 tax credit for residents of Los Angeles County, California, or North Carolina who relocated to this state due to Hurricane Helene (2024) or the Los Angeles wildfires (January 2025). It directly affects individuals who lived in those areas before the disasters, moved to this state because of them, and filed income tax returns in LA County or North Carolina for 2022-2023. To qualify, claimants must not have a felony conviction and must file the credit within the timeframe specified in tax law. The credit applies against state income tax for taxable years 2025, up to the full amount of the tax liability.

Maddy summaryAJR 6 is a symbolic resolution passed by the Wisconsin State Legislature declaring support for nuclear and fusion energy as critical clean energy sources. It states the legislature's commitment to advancing nuclear power, fusion technology, and related innovations to meet energy demands, reduce carbon emissions, and create high-paying jobs - citing current nuclear plants powering 1.2 million homes and avoiding 6.4 million tons of carbon emissions annually. The resolution does not create new laws or allocate funding but formally endorses expanding nuclear energy development. The bill was introduced in February 2025, referred to committees, and ultimately laid on the table in June 2025 without further action.

Maddy summaryAB 190 modifies state public records law to allow requesters who win partial victories to recover attorney fees. Specifically, it enables fee recovery when a government agency voluntarily releases a contested record *after* a lawsuit is filed, and a court determines the lawsuit was a substantial factor in that release. This directly affects public record requesters who successfully pressure agencies to disclose documents through litigation without a full court judgment. The bill creates a clear mechanism for fee awards in these specific scenarios, avoiding the need for a formal court order on the record's disclosure.

Maddy summaryAB 370 creates standardized crime victim notification cards to help victims stay informed about court proceedings involving offenders. The bill directs the Director of State Courts to design these free cards, which victims can fill out with their contact information and details about the inmate or probationer. County courts and victim-witness offices must provide the cards to victims, who can then send completed cards to the relevant court to receive updates. The bill also protects victims' mailing addresses in court records from public inspection under state law.