The roll was called, disclosing the presence of a quorum.
Pursuant to Senate Rule 15, the official attendance for session was: Senators Bradley, Cabral-Guevara, Carpenter, Dassler-Alfheim, Drake, Felzkowski, Feyen, Habush Sinykin, Hesselbein, Hutton, Jacque, Jagler, James, L. Johnson, Kapenga, Keyeski, Larson, LeMahieu, Marklein, Nass, Pfaff, Quinn, Ratcliff, Roys, Smith, Spreitzer, Testin, Tomczyk, Wall, Wanggaard, Wimberger and Wirch - 32.
Absent with leave - Senator Stafsholt - 1.
The Senate stood for the prayer which was offered by Senator Kapenga.
The Senate remained standing and Senator Wanggaard led the Senate in the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
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Leaves of Absence
Senator LeMahieu, with unanimous consent, asked that Senator Stafsholt be granted a leave of absence for today's session.
Pursuant to Senate Rule 17 (6), the Chief Clerk made the following entries under the above date. _____________
Petitions and Communications
State of Wisconsin
Wisconsin Elections Commission
January 8, 2025
Dear Acting Chief Clerk Champagne and Chief Clerk Blazel,
As the chief clerks for the Wisconsin State Senate and the Wisconsin State Assembly, you have requested that the Wisconsin Elections Commission provide the statutory deadline on which the legislature may act to ensure that any proposed constitutional amendment can be placed on the ballot for the April 1, 2025, Spring Election. The legislature must complete action on any proposed constitutional amendment no later than Tuesday, January 21, 2025.
By statute “all proposed constitutional amendments…shall be filed with the official or agency responsible for preparing the ballots for the election no later than 70 days prior to the election at which the amendment…will appear on the ballot.” Wis. Stat. § 8.37. Tuesday, January 21, 2025, is 70 days before the April 1, 2025, Spring Election. In order for a legislative action on a proposed constitutional amendment to be filed in our office, it is sufficient for the chief clerks to notify our office by e-mail that the legislature passed the resolution no later than Tuesday, January 21, 2025. It is not necessary that we receive the signed resolution by the close of business on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. Please submit, either by mail or in person, a hard copy of the text of any proposed constitutional amendment to the Wisconsin Elections Commission so that we have it on file when a notice of legislative action arrives. You can also simply file the signed resolution with our office if all steps are complete before the close of business of Tuesday, January 21.
Please make the appropriate arrangements to ensure that this information is communicated to the members of the legislature. If you or any member of the legislature has a question, please contact me at 608-267-0714 or contact our general number at 608-266-8005.
Sincerely,
BRANDON HUNZICKER
Staff Attorney
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Second reading and amendments of senate joint resolutions and senate bills
Senate Joint Resolution 2
Relating to: requiring photographic identification to vote in any election (second consideration).
hist198477Senator LeMahieu, with unanimous consent, asked that the rules be suspended and the joint resolution be given its third reading. Read a third time.
The ayes and noes were required and the vote was: ayes, 17; noes, 15; absent or not voting, 1; as follows:
Ayes - Senators Bradley, Cabral-Guevara, Felzkowski, Feyen, Hutton, Jacque, Jagler, James, Kapenga, LeMahieu, Marklein, Nass, Quinn, Testin, Tomczyk, Wanggaard and Wimberger - 17.
Noes - Senators Carpenter, Dassler-Alfheim, Drake, Habush Sinykin, Hesselbein, L. Johnson, Keyeski, Larson, Pfaff, Ratcliff, Roys, Smith, Spreitzer, Wall and Wirch - 15.
Absent or not voting - Senator Stafsholt - 1.
Adopted.
Senator LeMahieu, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate stand informal.
Senator LeMahieu, with unanimous consent, asked that all action be immediately messaged to the Assembly:
Messaged.
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Announcements, Adjournment Honors, and Remarks Under Special Privilege
Senator Smith, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of a public servant from the Chippewa Valley who passed away while off-duty before the end of the year. The loss of Menomonie Police Officer Sam Miller from our public service community will be felt for a very long time to come. Menomonie Police Officer Sam Miller served his community since January 2024 and died unexpectedly while off duty. Officer Miller’s prior law enforcement experience started in 2014 with the Pepin County Sheriff's Department, Durand Police Department, Boyceville Police Department, and the Dunn County Sheriff's Department. Sam left a family who loved him deeply, and a community that is better off now because of his public service. He will be deeply missed. Senator Smith asked for a moment of silence in honor of the life and public service of Sam Miller.
Senator Smith, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of a public servant from the Chippewa Valley who passed away while off duty before the end of the year. The loss of Dunn County Sheriff Corrections Officer, Jeffrey Reynolds, from our public service community will be felt for a very long time to come. Dunn County Correctional Officer Jeffrey Reynolds was killed tragically killed by an intoxicated driver while on his way to work on December 24th, 2024. Officer Reynolds worked for the Dunn County Sheriff's Office as a Corrections Officer since April 2007. Jeffrey left a family who loved him deeply, and a community that is better off now because of his public service. He will be deeply missed. Senator Smith asked for a moment of silence in honor of the life and public service of Jeffrey Reynolds.
Senator Wanggaard, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of State Senator George Petak who recently passed. He served as the senator from the district Senator Wanggaard now represent. Senator Petak was a good friend and will be greatly missed.
Senator Wanggaard, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of his granddaughter, Hattie Kay Wanggaard, on the anniversary of her 12th birthday this past December.
Senator Spreitzer, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of former Senator Tim Cullen who passed away on December 23rd. Senator Cullen lived a life of service. He served in the United States Army Reserve and was a teacher at Parker High School. He started his elected life on the Janesville City Council in 1970, before being elected to the WI State Senate in 1974 where he served as Majority Leader from 1982 to 1986. He served the people of the 15th Senate District with pride, focusing on issues such as agriculture, labor, and transportation. Last week Senator Spreitzer had the honor of attending the visitation and funeral services for Senator Cullen, where many current and former public servants came to pay their respects. Senator Spreitzer knows that we are all thankful to former Senator Cullen and his family for the life of service that he led, which greatly enriched the State of Wisconsin and this body. Tim’s lifelong commitment to bipartisanship and good government, fighting for the working class, and improving the lives of all Wisconsinites will continue to have a positive impact on the Janesville community and the entire State of Wisconsin. Senator Spreitzer looks forward to having further discussion and reflection with all of you regarding Senator Cullen’s work and service when we pass a Joint Resolution to honor him later this session.
Senator Wall, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of the players and coaches of the Green Bay Notre Dame Academy football team, who recently capped an undefeated season with a victory in the Division 3 state championship game.
Senator Wirch, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of former State Senator Tim Cullen. Tim was a personal friend and he had a great career in service. He served in the state legislature for 16 years, including 5 as the majority leader of the Wisconsin State Senate. He had an even greater career after leaving elected office. Much like former President Jimmy Carter, Tim dedicated his time in retirement to helping his community. He wrote multiple self-published books meant to inform members of the public on certain political issues important to our state, including one book on redistricting. He didn’t keep any of the profits, though. He donated every penny he earned to charitable organizations in his hometown, Janesville. He will be missed.
Senator Marklein, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of his granddaughter, Harper Marklein, who turns 2 on January 10, 2025.
Senator Roys, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of the victims of gun violence at the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison.
Senator Hutton, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of former Representative Jonathon Brostoff, who passed away this past November.
Senator Hutton, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of Mark Millard, who passed away recently.
Senator Drake, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of Beverly Fair, who was tragically killed due to reckless driving this past weekend.
Senator Drake, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of her brother, Solomon Drake, who passed away a year ago this coming Friday.
Senator Larson, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of a former colleague and mentor of his, former Representative Fred Kessler, who passed away this past November.
Senator Larson, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of former Milwaukee Alderman Terry Witkowski, who passed away November 4, 2024.
Senator Larson, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of someone who was a mentor, a mentee and his best friend, former Representative Jonathon Brostoff, who passed away last November.
Senator Tomczyk, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of his mother, June E. Tomczyk, who passed away October 11, 2024.
Senator Bradley, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn in honor of his nephew, Matthew Stark, who is celebrating his brother.
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Adjournment
Senator LeMahieu, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate stand adjourned until Monday, January 13, 2025.
Adjourned.
1:00 P.M.
