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AJR 45

Relating to: congratulating the Wauwatosa West Boys Basketball Team on their 2025 Division II State Basketball Championship.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Margaret Arney and 7 co-sponsors

Designates June 23 as International Widows' Day to raise awareness of widows' challenges and urge action on bereavement leave and Social Security, with no new funding.

Report correctly enrolled on 5-16-2025
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Bill Summary · AJR 45

Summary of Assembly Joint Resolution No. 45 (AJR 45)

Note: AJR 45 has been substituted by SJR 30 in May 2025. This summary reflects the bill’s purpose, provisions, and potential impact as described in the accompanying documents.

Purpose and intent

  • Designates June 23 of each year as “International Widows’ Day.”
  • Aims to draw attention to the experiences and challenges faced by widows in the United States and around the world, including health, financial, legal, and social issues.
  • Encourages awareness and action related to bereavement leave, Social Security considerations for widows, and the disparities faced by widows globally.

Key provisions (as introduced and reported)

  • Section 1: Designates June 23 of every year as “International Widows’ Day.”
  • Section 2: The Governor shall annually issue a proclamation and call upon public officials and all citizens to observe the day with appropriate programs and activities.
  • Section 3: Takes effect immediately upon enactment.
  • The resolution is non-binding and symbolic in nature, focusing on awareness and observance rather than establishing new laws or funding.

What would be affected

  • No new spending or statutory requirements on state agencies are created by designation alone.
  • Public officials (including the Governor) and state residents are encouraged to observe the day and participate in related programs and activities.
  • The designation serves as a focal point for advocacy on issues affecting widows, such as bereavement leave and potential changes to Social Security regulations, as discussed in the bill’s rationale.

Rationale and anticipated impact

  • Cites United Nations data: approximately 260 million widows globally, with about 10% in extreme poverty.
  • U.S. context: about one million women become widowed annually; 70% of married women are expected to be widowed in their lifetime; median widow age is 59.
  • Highlights ongoing challenges for widows, including financial and legal difficulties, health issues, and loss of health insurance.
  • Intends to promote awareness that could support policy discussions on bereavement leave and Social Security considerations, as well as the plight of widows abroad.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Introduced in the Assembly: January 9, 2024.
  • Reported out of the Assembly Committee (with technical review): May 5, 2025.
  • Substituted by SJR 30 (Senate companion) on May 22, 2025, indicating a switch to the Senate version as the vehicle for advancing the designation.
  • The companion bill, SJR 30, follows identical language designating the day and call for proclamation.

Related information

  • AJR 45 is a joint resolution; the companion SJR 30 has the same substantive designation.
  • Purpose is commemorative and advocacy-oriented, not a statute creating new programs or funding.

If you’d like, I can compare the exact text of AJR 45 and SJR 30 and outline anyDifferences introduced during the substitution.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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