Rep. Karen Kirsch

Maddy summaryAB 355 removes specific restrictions on abortion access and requires certain health insurance plans to cover abortion care without cost-sharing. It directly affects patients seeking abortion services and health insurers offering coverage under specified plans. Key provisions eliminate mandatory waiting periods and counseling requirements, while mandating coverage for abortion services in state-regulated health insurance plans. This policy change aims to improve access by removing regulatory barriers and ensuring insurance coverage.

Maddy summaryAB 267 requires Wisconsin state parks to waive all daily admission fees (including any issuing fees) on April 22 each year, commemorating Earth Day and its founder, Gaylord Nelson. This policy directly affects all visitors to Wisconsin state parks on April 22, making entry free on that specific date. The bill creates a new statutory provision (27.01(9)(b)) that mandates this automatic fee waiver annually. It does not change existing fee structures outside of Earth Day or create new funding obligations.

Maddy summaryAJR 81 is a Wisconsin legislative resolution urging federal authorities to immediately release all unredacted documents related to Jeffrey Epstein's criminal activities, including sealed court records and investigative files. It specifically calls for transparency about Epstein's network, which allegedly involved influential individuals across politics and other sectors, while allowing limited redactions only to protect ongoing cases or victim identities. The resolution directs Wisconsin's state officials to send this request to the U.S. President, Attorney General, FBI Director, and Wisconsin's federal lawmakers. As a non-binding resolution (not a law), it does not mandate policy changes but formally advocates for public access to Epstein-related records to promote accountability.

Maddy summaryAB 402 requires all health insurance plans in Wisconsin to cover maternity and newborn care services. It grants the Commissioner of Insurance authority to create specific rules for implementing this coverage requirement. The bill directly affects health insurance providers and ensures these services are included in standard coverage for policyholders.

Maddy summaryAB 396 establishes procedures for the legislature to appoint legal counsel, specifying how the process will be managed internally. This procedural bill affects the legislative body's internal operations but does not change laws or impact the public. It focuses solely on the mechanics of hiring legal staff, without altering substantive policy or affecting constituents.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 8) commemorates the victims of the December 16, 2024, Abundant Life Christian School tragedy in Wisconsin, specifically honoring Erin West and Rubi Vergara who died and supporting the six injured students and staff. It formally sends condolences to their families, expresses ongoing support for the school community, and condemns the violence that caused the tragedy. The resolution calls on Wisconsin residents to unite against all forms of violence but does not create new laws or allocate funding. As a symbolic gesture, it directly affects the Abundant Life Christian School community and all Wisconsin school communities impacted by violence.

Maddy summaryAJR 63 is a ceremonial joint resolution that officially designates January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025, as the "Wisconsin State Park System 125th Anniversary." It does not create new laws or policies; instead, it symbolically recognizes the 125th anniversary of Wisconsin's state park system, which began in 1900 with Interstate Park. The resolution highlights the system's role in conservation, recreation (over 20 million annual visits), and economic impact ($11.2 billion GDP, 97,000 jobs), but it has no direct effect on residents, funding, or park operations. As a procedural resolution, it serves only to honor the park system's history and contributions.

Maddy summaryAJR 38 is a ceremonial resolution that proclaims 2025 as the "Year of the Snake" in Wisconsin. It recognizes the cultural significance of the Lunar New Year and the snake symbol in Asian traditions, specifically honoring Asian American communities across the state. The resolution does not create new laws or policies; it is a symbolic gesture to celebrate cultural diversity and community connections. It directly acknowledges Wisconsin's Asian American populations, including long-time residents and recent immigrants, without imposing any requirements or changes.

Maddy summaryAJR 82 is a non-binding resolution designating September 15 to October 15, 2025, as Hispanic Heritage Month in Wisconsin. It formally recognizes the contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities to Wisconsin's economy, culture, and civic life, following the state legislature's acknowledgment of their historical and ongoing impact. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as an official state designation to honor these communities. It affects Wisconsin's official recognition practices and aligns with national observance of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Maddy summaryAB 319 creates a new grant program to fund law enforcement training on extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs), allocating $700,000 annually for this purpose. It expands background check requirements for firearm purchases to include checks for temporary restraining orders or injunctions under Section 813.124. The bill amends statutes to clarify how courts and law enforcement must verify firearm prohibitions, including checking for ERPO-related orders during background checks. These changes directly affect law enforcement agencies, courts, and individuals seeking to purchase firearms in Wisconsin.