Timothy W. Carpenter, Wisconsin State Senator for 3rd District | Official website
Timothy W. Carpenter, Wisconsin State Senator for 3rd District | Official website
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "spinal cord injury research grants and symposia and making an appropriation. (FE)".
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill mandates the Department of Health Services to create a grant program to fund spinal cord injury research, focusing on innovative treatments and rehabilitation strategies. Research areas can include pharmaceuticals, medical devices, brain stimuli, and new rehabilitative approaches. No more than 8% of grant awards can be used for administrative costs. It also establishes a Spinal Cord Injury Council, including researchers, medical professionals, and individuals with spinal cord injuries, to help evaluate grant applications. Council members must disclose financial interests in recommended organizations. Additionally, the bill allows for biennial symposia to present research findings, subject to council approval. Annual reports on the grant program must be submitted to the legislature. The bill takes effect the day after publication or following the 2025 biennial budget act, whichever is later.
The bill was co-authored by Representative Paul Tittl (Republican-25th District), Senator Jodi Habush Sinykin (Democrat-8th District), Senator Jesse L. James (Republican-23rd District), Senator Sarah Keyeski (Democrat-14th District), and Senator Chris Larson (Democrat-7th District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Scott Allen (Republican-82nd District), Representative Clinton M. Anderson (Democrat-45th District), and Representative David Armstrong (Republican-67th District), along with 30 other co-sponsors.
Tim Carpenter has authored or co-authored another 19 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.
Carpenter graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1982 with a BA.
Carpenter, a Democrat, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2003 to represent the state's 3rd Senate district, replacing previous state senator Brian Burke.
In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| SB99 | 03/07/2025 | Spinal cord injury research grants and symposia and making an appropriation. (FE) |
| SB71 | 02/26/2025 | Ratification of the Dietitian Licensure Compact. (FE) |
| SB64 | 02/21/2025 | Injuring or killing a police or fire animal and providing a penalty |
| SB54 | 02/21/2025 | Requirements concerning assistance in the detention of individuals who are or are alleged to be not lawfully present in the United States |
| SB38 | 02/12/2025 | Personalized registration plate fees for gold star family special registration plates. (FE) |
| SB15 | 02/05/2025 | Increased penalties for crimes against adults at risk; restraining orders for adults at risk; freezing assets of a defendant charged with financial exploitation of an adult at risk; sexual assault of an adult at risk; and providing a penalty |
| SB14 | 02/03/2025 | Pelvic exams on unconscious patients and creating an administrative rule related to hospital requirements for pelvic exams on unconscious patients |
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