Rep. Angela Stroud

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 62 establishes a Prescription Drug Affordability Review Board to address prescription drug costs. The board, with members representing pharmaceutical companies, health insurers, healthcare providers, and the public, must meet quarterly and avoid conflicts of interest. Key provisions include creating a $500,000 annual grant program for healthcare providers to develop tools showing patients the cost of prescriptions (Section 601.415), launching a diabetes medication pilot project (Section 601.41), and repealing a section requiring copayments for certain Medicaid services (Section 7). This bill directly affects insurers, pharmacies, drug manufacturers, and healthcare providers who must disclose drug costs to patients.

Maddy summaryAB 48 creates a state program to reimburse public and private schools for the cost of providing free meals to all students, including lunch and breakfast. Schools must participate in federal meal programs and offer free meals to every student without charge. The state will pay schools an amount equal to the federal reimbursement rate for free meals (minus any federal funds received), based on meals served in the prior school year. This applies to public, private, charter, tribal, and specialized schools meeting eligibility requirements.

Maddy summaryAB 52 expands the homestead income tax credit for homeowners with low to moderate income. It establishes new income-based limits: households earning $8,060 or less get credit covering 80% of property taxes, while higher earners get credit on taxes exceeding 5.614% of income over $8,060. The credit is unavailable if household income exceeds $35,000. The law also adds automatic inflation adjustments to these thresholds starting in 2026.

Maddy summaryAB 125 designates February 18 as a special observance day in Wisconsin public schools to honor Vel R. Phillips' birthday. The bill adds this date to school calendar requirements, directing schools to recognize Vel R. Phillips' contributions during the school year following the law's effective date. This applies directly to all Wisconsin public schools.

Maddy summaryAB 42 prevents local governments (like cities or counties) from banning residents from keeping up to four chickens or quail on residential properties, including for property owners and owner-occupied rentals. Local units may still require permits, ask for neighbor notifications, set reasonable rules for coop locations, ban roosters, or enforce cleanliness standards. The bill specifically exempts condominiums, which remain subject to their own governing documents. This law directly affects homeowners and renters in residential zones seeking to keep small flocks for personal use.

Maddy summaryAJR 9 is a Wisconsin Assembly Joint Resolution honoring Bob Uecker, the longtime Milwaukee Brewers radio broadcaster and entertainer, for his 69-year career in baseball. The resolution recognizes his contributions as a broadcaster, actor (including "Mr. Belvedere" and "Major League"), philanthropist, and community figure, citing his 54-year tenure with the Brewers and his cultural impact. It does not create new laws or affect any policies - it is a symbolic tribute passed by the Wisconsin Legislature to memorialize his legacy. The resolution extends condolences to his family and acknowledges his widespread influence on baseball fans and Wisconsin.

Maddy summaryAB 41 prohibits local governments (cities, towns, or counties) from requiring permits or banning vegetable gardens on residential property. It defines a "vegetable garden" as a plot growing edible plants, flowers, or pollinator plants on a homeowner's own land. The bill allows local governments to still enforce zoning, water/fertilizer rules, and weed control as long as those regulations don't specifically target vegetable gardens. This directly affects residents who grow food or flowers in their yards, ensuring they cannot be stopped or charged fees by local authorities for doing so.

Maddy summaryAJR 15 is a symbolic resolution proclaiming March 26, 2025, as "Purple Day for epilepsy" in Wisconsin. It asks Wisconsinites to wear purple and encourages communities, schools, government agencies, and businesses to promote epilepsy awareness through education. The resolution highlights that epilepsy affects hundreds of thousands of people and aims to improve public understanding of the condition. This is a ceremonial gesture with no new legal requirements, focused solely on raising awareness.

Maddy summaryAB 79 prevents the prosecution of minors under 18 for prostitution offenses when a court determines it serves the minor's best interests and protects public safety. Instead, the court may use diversion programs like consent decrees or deferred prosecution agreements under existing laws. The bill amends statutes to remove prosecution as an option for juveniles in these cases while maintaining DNA collection and expungement requirements for other serious juvenile offenses. This change directly affects minors charged with prostitution under section 944.30 (1m) by prioritizing rehabilitation over criminal prosecution.