What's the status, of a bill to ban smoking statewide? While he can't speak for the Assembly, the bill's author in the state Senate, Madison Democrat Fred Risser , expects that chamber of the legislature will eventually vote to reflect what he says is strong public support for a statewide ban. Is the ongoing budget deadlock delaying action on the smoking ban? Risser claims its not. In fact, Risser says the budget delay may even be advantageous, allowing supporters of the smoking ban more time to drum up support for the measure. The bill could be a tough sell in the Republican controlled state Assembly.