Jessie Rodriguez, Wisconsin State Representative of 21st District | Facebook
Jessie Rodriguez, Wisconsin State Representative of 21st District | Facebook
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "ratification of the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact. (FE)".
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill ratifies Wisconsin's entry into the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, allowing respiratory care practitioners to practice in other member states under a compact privilege. It establishes the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact Commission, composed of administrators from each member state's licensure authority, to create rules, bylaws, and manage the compact's operations. Practitioners must hold an active home state license, meet specified requirements, and maintain their compact privilege. Actions taken against a practitioner's home state license may affect their compact privileges in other states. The compact includes provisions for data and information sharing on licensure and adverse actions among states, the ability of states to issue cross-state subpoenas, and sets up a coordinated database. The compact will be effective once enacted in seven states and can be amended by all member states' enactment of the amendment. Member states can withdraw by repealing authorization, with withdrawal not effective until 180 days post-repeal. The bill also prohibits the Medical Examining Board from requiring an examination on statutes and rules for certification as a respiratory care practitioner, instead allowing an affirmation of understanding by applicants. The compact will take effect the day after the bill is published, with specific provisions effective March 1, 2026.
The bill was co-authored by Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara (Republican-19th District), Representative Barbara Dittrich (Republican-99th District), Representative Cindi Duchow (Republican-97th District), Representative Rick Gundrum (Republican-58th District), Representative Daniel Knodl (Republican-24th District). It was co-sponsored by Senator Patrick Testin (Republican-24th District), along two other co-sponsors.
Jessie Rodriguez has co-authored or authored another 14 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.
Rodriguez graduated from Marquette University in 2002.
Rodriguez, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2013 to represent the state's 21st Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Mark Honadel.
In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| AB193 | 04/15/2025 | Ratification of the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact. (FE) |
| AB97 | 02/28/2025 | Extension of eligibility under the Medical Assistance program for postpartum women. (FE) |
| AB78 | 02/28/2025 | Impoundment of vehicles used in certain reckless driving offenses. (FE) |
| AB77 | 02/28/2025 | Registration plate concealment devices and providing a penalty |
| AB43 | 02/17/2025 | Permitting pharmacists to prescribe certain contraceptives, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty. (FE) |
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