summary
Introduced
03/14/2025
03/14/2025
In Committee
03/14/2025
03/14/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill adds February 18, Vel R. Phillips[s birthday, to the list of special observance days that apply to general school operations. Current law provides a list of 22 special observance days, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; Susan B. Anthony[s birthday; Environmental Awareness Day; Bullying Awareness Day; and Veterans Day. Under current law, a special observance day must be appropriately observed when school is held on that day or, if the day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, on the school day immediately preceding or following the special observance day.
AI Summary
This bill creates a new special observance day in Wisconsin schools by establishing February 18 as Vel R. Phillips' birthday. Vel R. Phillips was a prominent African American civil rights activist, lawyer, and politician from Milwaukee who was the first African American elected to the Milwaukee Common Council and later became the first African American woman to serve as a judge in Wisconsin. The bill specifies that this observance will first apply to the school year beginning after the bill's effective date, which means schools will be expected to recognize and potentially commemorate Phillips' birthday starting in the subsequent academic year. This type of legislation aims to honor significant local historical figures and promote awareness of their contributions to civil rights and public service among students.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (61)
Tim Carpenter (D)*,
Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (D)*,
Dora Drake (D)*,
Jodi Habush Sinykin (D)*,
Dianne Hesselbein (D)*,
LaTonya Johnson (D)*,
Sarah Keyeski (D)*,
Chris Larson (D)*,
Brad Pfaff (D)*,
Melissa Ratcliff (D)*,
Kelda Roys (D)*,
Jeff Smith (D)*,
Mark Spreitzer (D)*,
Jamie Wall (D)*,
Bob Wirch (D)*,
Clint Anderson (D),
Deb Andraca (D),
Margaret Arney (D),
Mike Bare (D),
Jill Billings (D),
Brienne Brown (D),
Ryan Clancy (D),
Angelina Cruz (D),
Karen DeSanto (D),
Ben DeSmidt (D),
Robert Donovan (R),
Steve Doyle (D),
Jodene Emerson (D),
Joan Fitzgerald (D),
Russell Goodwin (D),
Kalan Haywood (D),
Francesca Hong (D),
Andrew Hysell (D),
Jenna Jacobson (D),
Alex Joers (D),
Tara Johnson (D),
Karen Kirsch (D),
Darrin Madison (D),
Renuka Mayadev (D),
Maureen McCarville (D),
Tip McGuire (D),
Vincent Miresse (D),
Supreme Moore Omokunde (D),
Greta Neubauer (D),
Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (D),
Lori Palmeri (D),
Christian Phelps (D),
Pricilla Prado (D),
Amaad Rivera-Wagner (D),
Ann Roe (D),
Joe Sheehan (D),
Christine Sinicki (D),
Lee Snodgrass (D),
Ryan Spaude (D),
Angela Stroud (D),
Shelia Stubbs (D),
Lisa Subeck (D),
Sequanna Taylor (D),
Angelito Tenorio (D),
Randy Udell (D),
Robyn Vining (D),
Last Action
Read first time and referred to Committee on Education (on 03/14/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/sen/bill/sb135 |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/SB135.pdf |
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