Rep. Deb Andraca

Maddy summaryAJR 5 is a symbolic joint resolution directing the Governor of Wisconsin to proclaim February 2025 as Black History Month. It does not create new laws or affect any individuals or programs; it is a ceremonial recognition of the significance of Black History Month. The resolution cites historical context and highlights contributions of Wisconsin residents of African descent, but its sole effect is to formally request the Governor issue the proclamation. This is a procedural resolution with no policy impact beyond the symbolic recognition.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the waiting period for purchasing handguns in Wisconsin by extending the time a dealer must wait before completing a sale when a background check is unclear. Under the new rules, if the state justice department cannot immediately determine if a buyer is prohibited from owning a firearm, the dealer must wait up to five working days for a final decision instead of the previous 48-hour limit. The change applies to sales occurring on or after the bill's effective date and is designed to ensure more thorough background checks for potential gun buyers.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Office of Gun Violence Prevention within the Department of Justice, led by a director appointed by the Attorney General. It establishes state policy recognizing gun violence as a public health crisis and requires the office to develop strategies that address root causes like poverty, racism, and trauma while involving community partners and health experts. The legislation mandates that the office submit a written action plan to the legislature every two years detailing how it will use a public health approach to improve safety in high-risk communities. Additionally, the bill appropriates state funds to increase the authorized staff positions needed to direct this new office.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires anyone living with or expecting a child to store firearms in a securely locked container or with a trigger lock engaged to prevent accidental access. It establishes penalties for non-compliance, starting with a misdemeanor for a first offense and escalating to a felony for repeat violations. Additionally, the law mandates that law enforcement officers wait at least seven days before arresting parents or guardians whose children were injured or killed in an accidental shooting, allowing district attorneys to consider the impact of the tragedy on the family during the decision to file charges.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes changing how Wisconsin voters select candidates for U.S. Senate and House of Representatives seats by implementing a top-five primary system followed by instant runoff voting. Under the new rules, voters in the primary election would be able to rank up to five candidates of their choice in order of preference, rather than selecting a single candidate from a specific party. If no candidate receives a majority of the first-choice votes in the general election, the system would automatically rerun the election using the voters' ranked preferences to determine a winner without requiring a second election. The legislation also includes provisions to ensure voters are clearly informed about how to cast votes across different party lines and how write-in candidates are handled within this ranked-choice framework.