Addressing the high costs of child care, expanding nurses’ authority and tackling reckless driving have been among lawmakers’ top priorities this summer, and topics that the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has followed closely.

But there are dozens of other bills we haven’t covered yet, such as expanding allowable IDs for voter identification, transparency around health care costs and preparedness for cardiac emergencies at schools.

Several hundred pieces of legislation are pitched each session, and only a fraction end up becoming law. More than 300 proposals have been introduced since lawmakers reconvened at the state Capitol in January.

Here’s a roundup of notable ones from June. None have received public hearings yet, the first step on the path to becoming law.

You can read our May roundup here.

Allowing Real IDs from any state as voter identification

Under the state’s current voter ID laws, a driver’s license or ID card must be from Wisconsin. Out-of-state college voters are not able to show their license from their home state, for example.

This bill would allow voters to show a Real ID from any state or U.S. territory to prove their identity at the polls. Voters would still have to separately prove they now live in Wisconsin through a document like a lease or utility bill.

As of May 7, anyone flying domestically must have a Real ID with the star in the upper right corner.

“If the U.S. Military considers a valid Real ID adequate proof of identity to enter a military facility, then it is also adequate proof to identify yourself at the polls,” said Democratic lawmakers leading the bill.

Authors: Sens. Tim Carpenter, D-Milwaukee; Bob Wirch, D-Pleasant Prairie; Reps. Karen Kirsch, D-Greenfield; Lee Snodgrass, D-Appleton

Split-ticket voting for partisan primary elections

Wisconsin holds a partisan primary election in August of each even-numbered year, used to narrow down the field for offices like governor, state lawmakers and members of Congress.

Currently, voters can only vote in the column of one major political party: Democratic, Republican, Constitution, Libertarian or Wisconsin Green. This bill would allow voters to “split” their tickets in partisan primaries, choosing candidates regardless of party.

“Many of our constituents tell us that they want to vote for the person, not the party,” Democratic lawmakers said. “This is one of the most consistent complaints we hear during a primary election, and this bill will respect these voters’ wishes.”

Authors: Sens. Tim Carpenter, D-Milwaukee; Mark Spreitzer, D-Beloit; Reps. Sylvia Ortiz-Velez, D-Milwaukee; Lee Snodgrass, D-Appleton

Term limits for governor and other state officials

This proposal would add term limits to the state constitution, capping service at eight years. Officials like the governor, attorney general, state superintendent and state senators would be limited to two four-year terms.

Wisconsin has no term limits for state officials. Changes to the constitution must be passed by lawmakers two sessions in a row before going to voters, who can approve or reject it.

“These offices are not intended to be held for a lifetime,” said Rep. Duke Tucker, the only lawmaker circulating the proposal, though others could sign on.

Some Republicans have suggested adding term limits to the constitution before, including in 2019 and 2021, but the idea never received public hearings or votes.

Author: Rep. Duke Tucker, R-Grantsburg

Changes to curriculum on pregnancy, childbirth

This bill would add new state-mandated aspects to human growth and development curriculum, if school districts choose to provide it.

Instruction would include information about how fetal development affects the physical and emotional health of the mother, the importance of secure relationships for infant mental health and the value of reading to young children.

Another portion of the bill would require high-definition ultrasound video to show the development of the fetus and its organs, plus animation that shows the process of fertilization.

“The future adults of Wisconsin should possess the best, most up to date information as they prepare to make important health, family, and family planning decisions,” Republican bill authors wrote.

Authors: Sens. Mary Felzkowski, R-Tomahawk; Julian Bradley, R-New Berlin; Reps. Amanda Nedweski, R-Pleasant Prairie; Scott Allen, R-Waukesha

Transparency around health care costs

A group of Republican lawmakers introduced the “Price Transparency for Patients Act,” which would require hospital websites to prominently include a list of prices for standard items and services.

If a hospital is found not in compliance, the state Department of Health Services would work with the hospital on a corrective action plan. Hospitals would only be able to seek legal action against patients in debt if they are found in compliance with the standards.

Other states, including Texas and Colorado, passed the same legislation with bipartisan support, according to Republican authors.

Gov. Tony Evers also recommended steps toward health care transparency in his budget request, such as requiring insurers to provide a list of services that require prior authorization. It’s too soon to tell if Evers and other Democrats would support Republicans’ proposal.

Authors: Sens. Julian Bradley, R-New Berlin; Mary Felzkowski, R-Tomahawk; Reps. Robert Wittke, R-Caledonia; Bob Donovan, R-Greenfield

Requiring vehicles to fully stop for pedestrians

Current law requires vehicles to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians who have started crossing the road. That means vehicles must slow down, or stop if necessary, to avoid colliding with pedestrians.

A bill introduced by Democrats would require vehicles to come to a complete stop and remain stopped until a pedestrian has completed crossing the road.

Pedestrians would include people crossing by foot, bike, scooter or with a personal mobility device. Illinois and Minnesota are among the states with a “stop state law,” according to bill authors.

Democrats introducing the bill, along with other measures aimed at bicyclist safety, noted state Department of Transportation data shows the “vast majority” of pedestrian crashes happen in marked crosswalks at intersections.

Authors: Sens. Chris Larson, D-Milwaukee; Kelda Roys, D-Madison; Mark Spreitzer, D-Beloit; Melissa Ratcliff, D-Cottage Grove; Reps. Lee Snodgrass, D-Appleton; Deb Andraca, D-Whitefish Bay; Lori Palmeri, D-Oshkosh; Alex Joers, D-Middleton; Renuka Mayadev, D-Madison

Updating statutes to recognize same-sex marriage

Despite a law Congress passed in 2022 that federally recognized same-sex and interracial marriages, Wisconsin statutes still refer to marriage as between a husband and wife.

Democrats, and a few Republican supporters, have tried over several years to update state laws with gender-neutral references to spouses and parents. Democrats reintroduced the proposal this year as part of a larger package recognizing Pride Month.

If the U.S. Supreme Court decision Obergefell v. Hodges is overturned, some believe Wisconsin’s ban on same-sex marriage could go back into effect. The statutes have created legal headaches for couples having children, a Wisconsin Watch investigation found.

Authors: Sens. Mark Spreitzer, D-Beloit; Tim Carpenter, D-Milwaukee; Kristin Dassler-Alfheim, D-Appleton; Kelda Roys, D-Madison; Melissa Ratcliff, D-Cottage Grove; Reps. Lee Snodgrass, D-Appleton; Angela Stroud, D-Ashland; Randy Udell, D-Fitchburg; Angelina Cruz, D-Racine; Greta Neubauer, D-Racine; Christian Phelps, D-Eau Claire; Amaad Rivera-Wagner, D-Green Bay; Margaret Arney, Wauwatosa; Ryan Clancy, D-Milwaukee

Cardiac emergency response plans at schools

This Republican-led bill, which has gained support from several Democrats, would require schools to have a plan in place to respond to cardiac emergencies that occur on school property or at school-sponsored athletic events.

Around 40% of youth cardiac arrests are sports-related, according to the bill authors.

Those plans would include creating a response team trained in CPR and AED use, educating staff on sudden cardiac arrest and coordinating with local first responders. The bill would also create grants to help schools purchase AEDs and train faculty in CPR.

Authors: Sen. Jesse James, R-Thorp; Reps. John Spiros, R-Marshfield; Treig Pronschinske, R-Mondovi; Todd Novak, R-Dodgeville