Rep. Brent Jacobson

Maddy summaryAB 546 redefines "abortion" in state statutes to exclude specific medical procedures performed to save a pregnant woman's life when doctors make reasonable efforts to preserve both the mother's and unborn child's life. It clarifies that procedures like emergency cesareans, early inductions, or removal of dead embryos/fetuses - especially during ectopic, anembryonic, or molar pregnancies - do not count as abortion. The bill creates consistent definitions across multiple statutes (including 20.927, 48.375, and 69.01) to ensure these medical exceptions apply uniformly. It directly affects healthcare providers by clarifying legal boundaries for life-saving treatments during complex pregnancies. The bill does not restrict access to these procedures but explicitly defines them as non-abortion under the law.

Maddy summaryAB 458 modifies standards for admitting expert witness testimony in court cases. It directly affects courts, lawyers, and parties involved in legal disputes where expert opinions are used, such as medical malpractice or accident investigations. The bill establishes new criteria for determining whether an expert's qualifications and methodology meet legal standards before testimony is allowed. This would require courts to evaluate the reliability and relevance of expert evidence more rigorously during pretrial proceedings. The bill is currently pending in the Judiciary Committee after its introduction and public hearing.

Maddy summaryAB 615 requires all public school districts and independent charter schools (K-8) to implement math screening tests three times yearly to identify students at-risk of not meeting grade-level math standards. Schools must then provide "quality math tutoring" (aligned with classroom instruction, offered 3 days weekly or 50 hours annually by state-approved providers) and develop personalized math plans for at-risk students within 30 days of identification. The bill also mandates schools with low 4th-grade math proficiency to create evidence-based achievement plans by 2026, including professional development for teachers. This law directly affects K-8 students identified as needing math support and schools serving those students.

Maddy summaryAB 526 modifies state contracting rules for airport improvements to align with federal requirements when federal funds are involved. It allows the state transportation secretary to use "construction manager at risk" contracts for qualified airport projects (like building or upgrading structures), where the contractor guarantees a maximum price and selection isn't based solely on lowest bid. This applies when projects are partially or fully funded by federal money, overriding standard state procurement rules for those specific cases. The bill directly affects state agencies, municipalities operating airports, and contractors bidding on federal-funded airport construction or improvement projects.

Maddy summaryAB 362 requires all public school districts and charter schools to create written cardiac emergency response plans for cardiac emergencies occurring on school property or at school-sponsored athletic events, starting in the 2026-27 school year. These plans must include core elements like designated response teams, clear AED placement and maintenance, annual drills, and staff training in CPR and AED use following American Heart Association guidelines. Schools must also ensure coaches at athletic events hold current CPR/AED certification and that AEDs are accessible at all athletic venues. The law directly affects all K-12 schools and their staff, aiming to improve immediate response to cardiac emergencies.

Maddy summaryAB 640 sets a maximum age of 75 for new appointments or elections to the state supreme court or trial court judgeships. It prohibits anyone turning 75 or older from being appointed or elected to these positions on or after their 75th birthday. The bill excludes temporary reserve judges appointed under separate statutes. This directly affects future judicial candidates and appointments, not current judges.

Maddy summaryAB 173 regulates pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) by requiring them to disclose formulary details and drug costs to health plans and patients before enrollment. It prohibits PBMs or insurers from penalizing patients for choosing specific pharmacies within a network or charging different fees for the same pharmacy services. The bill also mandates advance written notice (at least 90 days) to patients when drugs are removed from formularies or moved to higher-cost tiers, including exception request procedures. These changes directly affect PBMs, health insurance plans, and patients covered by those plans, aiming to increase transparency and choice in prescription drug coverage.

Maddy summaryAB 521 simplifies the process for sign owners to remove vegetation obstructing highway advertising signs. It defines a "viewing window" as a 500-foot zone along the highway where signs must remain visible, and creates a streamlined permit system for trimming or removing obstructing vegetation within this area. Existing sign owners with permits issued since 2012 can now maintain signs without new approvals (after notifying the department 15 days in advance), while new applicants must follow a 60-day permit review process. The bill also requires sign owners to remove stumps and dispose of all vegetation removed, and to compensate the department for trees (2+ inches in diameter) removed from designated "living snow fences."

Maddy summaryAB 208 creates tax exemptions for income and franchise taxes related to broadband expansion funding. It directly affects internet service providers, telecom companies, and community organizations receiving grants or federal high-cost program funds for building broadband infrastructure in the state. The bill exempts from taxation: (1) state/local/tribal/federal grants for broadband expansion, and (2) federal high-cost program funding under 47 USC 254. These exemptions apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, and prevent double-counting with other existing tax provisions.

Maddy summaryAB 610 creates a temporary sales and use tax exemption for firearms, bows/arrows for archery, crossbows, and ammunition sold exclusively on July 4 and during the third week of December. This exemption applies directly to retailers selling these items during those specific dates and to consumers purchasing them, removing the standard sales tax liability for these transactions. The bill adds a new provision (77.54(76)) to the tax code, explicitly listing the covered items and timeframes. It does not change year-round tax treatment but provides a limited, annual exemption for these products during the designated periods.