Relating to: recognizing June 2025 as Black Music Month in the state of Wisconsin.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Dave Armstrong and 20 co-sponsors

Designates June 2025 as Black Music Month in Wisconsin, urging celebration of Black musicians and culture; a symbolic, non-fiscal resolution.

Read and referred to Committee on Rules

Overview

Bill: AJR 73

Title: Relating to recognizing June 2025 as Black Music Month in the state of Wisconsin

Type: Assembly Joint Resolution (AJR)

Status: Read and referred to Committee on Rules

Introduced: July 17, 2025

Primary sponsor(s): Joers, Bare, Armstrong, Sinicki, Stubbs, Vining, Stroud, Arney, Udell, Clancy, Roe, Rivera-Wagner, Taylor, Haywood, Phelps, Miresse, Moore Omokunde, Goodwin, Madison, Subeck, Brown

Senate cosponsors: L. Johnson, Drake, Hesselbein, Ratcliff, Wirch, Spreitzer

Purpose and Intent

The bill expresses the Legislature’s recognition of June 2025 as Black Music Month in Wisconsin.

It aims to honor and highlight the contributions of Black musicians and the broader Black community to music, culture, and society.

As a joint resolution, it primarily conveys a formal expression of legislative sentiment rather than creating new law or imposing new obligations.

Key Provisions (what the bill would do)

Official designation: Statewide recognition of June 2025 as Black Music Month.

Observance encouragement: The resolution would typically encourage educational, cultural, and community organizations, as well as Wisconsin residents, to observe and participate in activities that celebrate the achievements and impact of Black music and musicians.

Non-fiscal, symbolic nature: The measure does not establish funding, create new programs, or alter existing statutes or regulatory authorities.

Who Would Be Affected

Black musicians and their communities, whose contributions would be celebrated and highlighted.

Cultural, educational, and arts institutions (schools, libraries, museums, concert venues, music programs) that may host events or programs recognizing Black music.

Wisconsin residents and visitors who participate in or are encouraged to observe Black Music Month activities.

Procedural and Timeline Context

Introduced: July 17, 2025, by a broad group of Assembly members; cosponsored in the Senate.

Current stage: Read and referred to the Committee on Rules.

Typical next steps (if advanced): The Committee on Rules would hold hearings or votes; the measure would need approval by both the Assembly and Senate. Joint resolutions often proceed to the Governor for signing, though their effect is generally ceremonial rather than legislative or fiscal.

Additional Context

The sponsorship appears wide and bipartisan, indicating broad legislative interest in recognizing Black Music Month at the state level.

This designation aligns with national recognition of Black Music Month in June, extending formal acknowledgment to Wisconsin.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to emphasize potential venue-specific observances (schools, libraries, or cultural organizations) or compare AJR 73 to similar resolutions in other states.

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