SJR 21 Wisconsin Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Relating to: honoring the life and public service of Senator Timothy Francis Cullen.

SJR 21 is a ceremonial resolution honoring the late Senator Timothy Francis Cullen, a longtime Wisconsin State Senator and public servant who passed away in December 2024. It commemorates his career, including service as Senate Majority Leader (1982-1986), advocacy for workers' rights and consumer protections, and efforts to promote bipartisan governance and fair redistricting. The resolution has no policy impact - it solely serves to recognize Cullen’s life and public service through formal acknowledgment by the legislature. It was formally passed by both chambers and deposited with the Secretary of State on November 25, 2025.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Oct 2025

Assembly Passage

Oct 2025

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Apr 14, 2025 Signed May 26, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Joint Resolution Text → Enrolled Joint Resolution · 4 edits · May 26, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was finalized from a draft to an enrolled version, adding specific details about Senator Cullen's post-legislative career, including his founding of a government institute and authoring three books. The text also expanded his list of community service roles and clarified his legacy as a bipartisan leader. These changes serve to provide a more comprehensive tribute to his life and public service.

SCOPE

Added a new clause detailing Senator Cullen's founding of the Tim Cullen Government Institute and his efforts to foster future leaders.

Added a new clause listing three specific books authored by Senator Cullen and the charitable programs supported by their proceeds.

Expanded the list of community organizations where Senator Cullen served as a board member to include WisconsinEye, Common Cause in Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin Fair Elections Project.

Updated the final resolution clause to explicitly honor his 'legacy' alongside his life and public service.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Oct 14, 2025

Lower · Passed

Concurred in

lower

Oct 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

Adopted by unanimous rising vote

upper

Apr 14, 2025

Committee

Read and referred to Committee on Senate Organization

upper

Apr 14, 2025

Introduced

Introduced by Senators Spreitzer, Carpenter, Drake, Hesselbein, L. Johnson, Larson, Pfaff, Ratcliff, Roys, Smith, Wall and Wirch; cosponsored by Representatives Roe, Anderson, Brown, J. Jacobson, Arney, Bare, Billings, Clancy, DeSmidt, Doyle, Fitzgerald, Joers, Johnson, Kaufert, Krug, Madison, Moore Omokunde, Neubauer, Sinicki, Snodgrass, Stubbs, Subeck, Tenorio and Udell

upper

12 primary · 0 co-sponsors