AB882: Bill Text

AB882, s. 18 Section 18 . 341.14 (6m) (b) 2. of the statutes is repealed.

AB882, s. 19 Section 19 . 341.14 (6r) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,13,9 341.14 (6r) (b) 1. Upon application to register an automobile, station wagon or motor home, or a motor truck, dual purpose motor home or dual purpose farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds, or a farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 12,000 pounds, by any person who is a resident of this state and a member of an authorized special group, the department shall issue to the person special plates whose colors and design shall indicate that the vehicle is owned by a person who is a member of the applicable special group.

AB882, s. 20 Section 20 . 341.14 (6r) (bg) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,13,17 341.14 (6r) (bg) 1. Upon application to register an automobile, station wagon or motor home, or a motor truck, dual purpose motor home or dual purpose farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds, or a farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 12,000 pounds, by any person who is a resident of this state and a member of the authorized special group under par. (f) 52., the department shall issue to the person special plates whose colors and design shall indicate that the vehicle is owned by a person who is a member of that special group.

AB882, s. 21 Section 21 . 341.14 (6r) (g) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Acts 27 and .... (this act), is repealed and recreated to read:

AB882,13,25 341.14 (6r) (g) If an individual in possession of special plates under par. (f) 33., 34. or 48. or of personalized plates under s. 341.145 (1) (c) of the same color and design as special plates under par. (f) 33., 34. or 48. does not maintain membership in the applicable authorized special group during a year which is not a plate issuance year, the individual shall dispose of the special plates in a manner prescribed by the department.

AB882, s. 22 Section 22. 341.14 (6r) (g) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,14,3 341.14 (6r) (g) 1. Dispose of the special plates in a manner prescribed by the department; and

AB882, s. 23 Section 23 . 341.14 (6r) (g) 2. of the statutes is repealed.

AB882, s. 24 Section 24 . 341.145 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,14,16 341.145 (1) (a) A registration plate for an owned automobile or station wagon or a motor home registered for an annual registration period under s. 341.29 or 341.295 or a motorcycle or a motor truck, dual purpose motor home or dual purpose farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds, or a farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 12,000 pounds, which displays a registration number composed of letters or numbers, or both, requested by the applicant. Personalized registration plates under this paragraph shall be of the same color and design as regular registration plates and shall consist of numbers or letters, or both, not exceeding 5 positions and not less than one position for a plate issued for a motorcycle or not exceeding 7 positions and not less than one position for all other plates.

AB882, s. 25 Section 25 . 341.145 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,14,22 341.145 (1) (b) A registration plate of the same color and design as provided in s. 341.14 (6m) for an owned automobile, station wagon or motor truck having a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds, which displays a registration number composed of letters or numbers, or both, not exceeding 7 positions and not less than one position, requested by the applicant.

AB882, s. 26 Section 26 . 341.145 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,15,3 341.145 (2) (a) The request and alternative thereto is received by the department in writing by mail by the 15th day of the month in which the vehicle is to be registered;

Note: Section 26 eliminates the requirement that personalized license plates be applied for by mail. According to DOT, it was necessary to have this application-by-mail requirement at the inception of the personalized license plate program because of the competition for certain popular plate messages. However, because most of the plate messages in great demand have already been issued, and because DOT has routinized the application process, the requirement to apply for personalized plates by mail is no longer necessary.

AB882, s. 27 Section 27 . 341.145 (5) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Acts 27 and .... (this act), is repealed and recreated to read:

AB882,15,9 341.145 (5) If an individual in possession of a personalized registration plate does not maintain the personalized registration plate under sub. (3) during a year which is not a plate issuance year, the individual shall dispose of the personalized plate in a manner prescribed by the department.

AB882, s. 28 Section 28. 341.145 (5) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,15,12 341.145 (5) (a) Dispose of the personalized plate in a manner prescribed by the department; and

AB882, s. 29 Section 29 . 341.145 (5) (b) of the statutes is repealed.

AB882, s. 30 Section 30 . 341.25 (1) (a) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act 27, is amended to read:

AB882,15,18 341.25 (1) (a) For each automobile or station wagon, a fee of $45, except that an automobile registered in this state prior to September 1, 1947, at a fee of less than $18 shall be registered at such lesser fee plus an additional fee of $2.

AB882, s. 31 Section 31 . 341.26 (7) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,16,8 341.26 (7) (b) When engaged in passenger-carrying operations other than as provided in par. (a) or sub. (2) (d), a school bus shall be registered as a motor bus at a fee determined under s. 341.25 (2), or as an automobile or station wagon at the fee provided in s. 341.25 (1) (a). Fees for registration under s. 341.25 (2) may be paid in accordance with ss. 341.30 and 341.31. Fees for part-quarterly registration shall be computed on the basis of one-twelfth of the annual fee multiplied by the number of months of the current quarter which have not fully expired on the date of the application. If a vehicle was not operated in other than school bus service, a statement of nonoperation satisfactory to the department shall be filed with the application.

AB882, s. 32 Section 32 . 341.264 (1) and (2) (a) of the statutes are amended to read:

AB882,16,20 341.264 (1) Upon application and payment of a fee of $50, the department shall register a semitrailer which is operated in connection with a truck tractor or hauled by a motor vehicle and used with a device which converts the semitrailer to a trailer. Except for a semitrailer registered under sub. (3), registration Registration under this section is valid without the payment of any additional fee while the registrant is the owner of the semitrailer and, with respect to the sale of a leased semitrailer to the lessee of the semitrailer, while the former lessee is the owner of the semitrailer if the lessee reimbursed the lessor of the semitrailer at the time of registration of the semitrailer for payment of the registration fee under this subsection. The department shall issue a permanent semitrailer registration plate to evidence registration under this subsection.

AB882,17,2 (2) (a) Upon the sale of a semitrailer registered under this section, the seller shall remove the registration plate and destroy it. The purchaser shall immediately apply for registration and pay the full applicable fee prescribed in sub. (1) or established under sub. (3). This paragraph does not apply to the sale of a leased semitrailer to a lessee eligible to maintain permanent registration of the semitrailer under sub. (1).

Note: Sections 32 , 33 and 43 provide that current 12-year plates for semitrailers issued under the international registration plan (IRP) would no longer be issued. Instead, these provisions permit DOT to register semitrailers under the IRP and to issue base plates for each semitrailer registered under the IRP. An annual registration fee of $50 would be charged for semitrailers registered under the IRP. According to DOT, motor carriers who operate in California who must have an IRP trailer plate would have the permanent semitrailer plate if these provisions were adopted, rather than the current plate which is renewed every 12 years.

AB882, s. 33 Section 33 . 341.264 (3) of the statutes is repealed.

AB882, s. 34 Section 34 . 341.27 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,17,12 341.27 (3) (a) Except as provided in s. 341.28 (2) (c), if If the applicant holds current registration plates which were removed from an automobile which the applicant no longer owns or which has been junked, is no longer used on the highways or has been registered as a special interest vehicle under s. 341.266 (2) (a) or a reconstructed, replica, street modified or homemade vehicle under s. 341.268 (2) (a), and the plates were issued under the monthly series system, the department shall register the automobile which is the subject of the application for the remainder of the unexpired registration period.

Note: Sections 34 and 35 provide that DOT must register certain automobiles for the remainder of an unexpired registration period, if the application is for the reregistration of certain automobiles.

AB882, s. 35 Section 35 . 341.27 (3) (a) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Acts 27 and .... (this act), is repealed and recreated to read:

AB882,18,3 341.27 (3) (a) If the applicant holds current registration plates which were removed from an automobile which the applicant no longer owns or which has been junked, is no longer used on the highways or has been registered as a special interest vehicle under s. 341.266 (2) (a) or a reconstructed, replica, street modified or homemade vehicle under s. 341.268 (2) (a), and the plates were issued under the system of registration prescribed by this section, the department shall register the automobile which is the subject of the application for the remainder of the unexpired registration period.

AB882, s. 36 Section 36 . 341.28 (2) (c) of the statutes is repealed.

Note: Sections 36 to 38, 40 and 41 repeal provisions that prohibit transfer of plates or registration credit to a vehicle if it has already been involved in a transfer or credit within the last 12 months. According to DOT, this prohibition was originally established to deter the abuse of license plate transfer provisions, but DOT has found this type of abuse to be rare. Therefore, the prohibition is no longer needed.

AB882, s. 37 Section 37. 341.28 (4) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,18,9 341.28 (4) (c) The automobile is owned by a person who has been in active military service and less than 12 months of nonoperation have elapsed since the end of the period for which the automobile was previously registered, provided the applicant files with the department a statement of such nonoperation ; or.

AB882, s. 38 Section 38 . 341.28 (4) (d) of the statutes is repealed.

AB882, s. 39 Section 39 . 341.308 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,18,19 341.308 (2) The registration of trailers under this section shall be valid for a 6-year period and shall expire on June 30. Upon receipt of an application and the initial registration fees under sub. (3), the department shall issue a registration plate for each trailer. The registration of trailers added to the fleet during the 6-year registration period shall expire on the expiration date of the original fleet registration. If trailers are removed from the fleet during the 6-year registration period, the fleet owner shall dispose of the plates in the manner prescribed by the department.

Note: See the Note following Section 5.

AB882, s. 40 Section 40 . 341.31 (1) (b) 7. of the statutes is repealed.

AB882, s. 41 Section 41 . 341.31 (6) of the statutes is repealed.

AB882, s. 42 Section 42 . 341.35 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,19,9 341.35 (1) Annual registration fee. In this section "municipality" means a town, village or city and "motor vehicle" means an automobile or station wagon or motor truck registered under s. 341.25 (1) (c) at a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds. The governing body of a municipality or county may enact an ordinance imposing an annual flat municipal or county registration fee on all motor vehicles registered in this state which are customarily kept in the municipality or county. A registration fee imposed under this section shall be in addition to state registration fees.

AB882, s. 43 Section 43 . 341.405 (1m) of the statutes is created to read:

AB882,19,13 341.405 (1m) The department may register semitrailers under the international registration plan for an annual fee of $50. The department shall issue a base plate for each semitrailer registered under this subsection.

AB882, s. 44 Section 44 . 342.06 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,19,18 342.06 (1) (b) A description of the vehicle, including make, model, identification number and any other information or documentation that the department may reasonably require for proper identification of the vehicle or for determination of the mileage of the vehicle as disclosed by prior transferors.

Note: Sections 44 and 45 eliminate the requirement that the vehicle title include a description of the model of the vehicle. According to DOT, the model name included on the title is currently abbreviated to 3 characters, and the system of abbreviation used by DOT causes confusion among vehicle title holders. According to DOT, because the vehicle model information is stored in DOT's database and is available through on-line inquiry, it is not necessary to show this information on the title document.

AB882, s. 45 Section 45 . 342.10 (1) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,19,21 342.10 (1) (d) A description of the vehicle, including make, model and identification number.

AB882, s. 46 Section 46 . 342.14 (9) of the statutes is repealed.

Note: Section 46 repeals the $4 transfer fee for the transfer of registration or credits for registration to a vehicle currently titled in the name of the applicant.

AB882, s. 47 Section 47 . 342.15 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,20,8 342.15 (4) (a) If the vehicle being transferred is a motorcycle or an automobile or station wagon registered under the monthly series system or a motor home or a motor truck, dual purpose motor home or dual purpose farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds or a farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 12,000 pounds, the owner shall remove the registration plates and retain and preserve them for use on any other vehicle of the same type and gross weight which may subsequently be registered in his or her name.

AB882, s. 48 Section 48 . 342.15 (4) (a) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act 27, is amended to read:

AB882,20,17 342.15 (4) (a) If the vehicle being transferred is a motorcycle or an automobile or station wagon registered under s. 341.27 or a motor home or a motor truck, dual purpose motor home or dual purpose farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds or a farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 12,000 pounds, the owner shall remove the registration plates and retain and preserve them for use on any other vehicle of the same type and gross weight which may subsequently be registered in his or her name.

AB882, s. 49 Section 49 . 342.30 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,21,13 342.30 (2) An Except as provided in this subsection, an identification number assigned by the department to a mobile home, trailer or semitrailer shall be stamped upon the frame in a readily visible location. An identification number assigned to a motor vehicle manufactured prior to January 1, 1969, shall be permanently affixed to a location on the left front pillar. The vehicle identification number for motor vehicles manufactured after January 1, 1969, shall be permanently affixed upon either a part of the vehicle that is not designed to be removed except for repair, or a separate plate which is permanently affixed to such part. The vehicle identification number shall be located inside the passenger compartment and shall be readable, without moving any part of the vehicle, through the vehicle glazing under daylight lighting conditions by an observer having 20/20 vision (Snellen) whose eyepoint is located outside the vehicle adjacent to the left windshield pillar that is readily visible when observed from outside the vehicle, as specified by the department by rule. Identification numbers assigned for cycles shall be stamped on the left side, near the top of the engine casting just below the cylinder barrel. Such stamping or affixing shall be done under the supervision of a dealer, distributor or manufacturer registered under s. 341.51 or under the supervision of a peace officer. The person supervising the stamping or affixing shall make a report thereof to the department.

Note: Section 49 deletes the requirement that the vehicle identification number be permanently affixed to specific vehicle locations, and instead provides that it shall be permanently affixed to a readily visible location on the vehicle when observed from outside the vehicle, as specified by the department by rule. According to DOT, it is not always practicable to place the vehicle identification number inside the windshield, for example, without removing the windshield. DOT has already established a policy, which allows vehicle identification numbers to be placed in other visible locations. However, some vehicle owners have received citations for improper placement of the identification number because the statute still provides for specific locations. Therefore, DOT states that this change will be more workable and will eliminate confusion that currently exists among law enforcement personnel.

AB882, s. 50 Section 50 . 342.34 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,22,6 342.34 (1) (c) If the vehicle is a motorcycle or an automobile or station wagon registered under the monthly series system or a motor home or a motor truck, dual purpose motor home or dual purpose farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds or a farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 12,000 pounds, the owner shall remove the registration plates and retain and preserve them for use on any other vehicle of the same type which may subsequently be registered in his or her name. If the vehicle is not a motorcycle or an automobile or station wagon registered under the monthly series system, or a motor home or a motor truck, dual purpose motor home or dual purpose farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds or a farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 12,000 pounds, he or she shall remove and destroy the plates.

AB882, s. 51 Section 51 . 342.34 (1) (c) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act 27, is amended to read:

AB882,22,19 342.34 (1) (c) If the vehicle is a motorcycle or an automobile or station wagon registered under s. 341.27 or a motor home or a motor truck, dual purpose motor home or dual purpose farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds or a farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 12,000 pounds, the owner shall remove the registration plates and retain and preserve them for use on any other vehicle of the same type which may subsequently be registered in his or her name. If the vehicle is not a motorcycle or an automobile or station wagon registered under s. 341.27, or a motor home or a motor truck, dual purpose motor home or dual purpose farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds or a farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 12,000 pounds, he or she shall remove and destroy the plates.

AB882, s. 52 Section 52 . 344.25 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,23,5 344.25 (2) If the judgment creditor consents in writing in such form as the secretary may prescribe that the judgment debtor be allowed to retain or reinstate the operating privilege and registrations, the same may be allowed by the secretary for 6 months from the date of such consent and thereafter until such consent is revoked in writing, notwithstanding default in the payment of such judgment or of any instalments thereof as prescribed in s. 344.27, provided the judgment debtor furnishes proof of financial responsibility for the future and maintains such proof at all times when such license and registrations are in effect during a period of 3 years following the entry of the judgment date on which the agreement is filed with the secretary.

Note: Sections 52 to 54 change the requirements for the filing of proof of financial responsibility for the future for the reinstatement of an operating privilege which is revoked due to a judgment for damages having been entered against a motor vehicle operator. Currently, filing proof of financial responsibility for damage judgment revocations is required for 3 years following the entry of the judgment. According to DOT, these changes will make the proof of financial responsibility filing requirement for damage judgment revocations consistent with all other operating privilege revocations and will help ensure that the person is financially responsible prior to reinstatement of the driving privilege.

AB882, s. 53 Section 53. 344.26 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,23,15 344.26 (1) Subject to the exceptions stated in ss. 344.25 (2) and 344.27 (2), any operating privilege or registration revoked pursuant to s. 344.25 shall remain revoked until every judgment mentioned in s. 344.25 is stayed, satisfied or discharged and, unless 3 years have elapsed since the date of entry of the judgment which was the cause for revocation on which the judgment was stayed, satisfied or discharged, until the person whose operating privilege and registration was revoked furnishes proof of financial responsibility for the future and maintains such proof at all times during such 3-year period when the operating privilege or registration is in effect.

AB882, s. 54 Section 54 . 344.27 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,24,3 344.27 (2) The secretary shall not revoke the operating privilege or registration and shall restore any operating privilege or registration revoked following nonpayment of a judgment when the judgment debtor obtains such order permitting the payment of the judgment in instalments and, unless 3 years have elapsed since the entry of judgment date on which the order permitting the payment of the judgment in instalments is filed with the secretary, furnishes and maintains proof of financial responsibility for the future.

AB882, s. 55 Section 55 . 344.31 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,24,14 344.31 Certification of insurance as proof. Proof of financial responsibility for the future may be furnished by filing with the secretary the written certification of any insurer duly authorized to do business in this state that there is in effect a motor vehicle liability policy for the benefit of the person required to furnish proof of financial responsibility or by transmitting such certification to the secretary by another means approved by the secretary. Such certification shall give the effective date of such motor vehicle liability policy, which date shall be the same as the effective date of the certification and shall certify coverage for any motor vehicle operated by the named insured or coverage for any motor vehicle owned by the named insured.

Note: Sections 55 and 56 amend current law regarding the required filing of proof of financial responsibility for the future, to require vehicle owners, and not just vehicle operators, to file this proof. 1991 Wisconsin Act 269 made significant changes to Wisconsin's safety responsibility law. One of these changes required vehicle owners to file proof of financial responsibility before reinstatement of revoked driving privileges. These changes were not carried over to the statutes requiring the filing of proof of financial responsibility for the future, and these Sections make these changes.

AB882, s. 56 Section 56 . 344.33 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,25,6 344.33 (2) Motor vehicle liability policy. A motor vehicle policy of liability insurance shall insure the person named therein using any motor vehicle with the express or implied permission of the owner, or shall insure all motor vehicles owned by the named insured and all persons using such motor vehicles with the express or implied permission of the named insured, against loss from the liability imposed by law for damages arising out of the maintenance or use of the motor vehicle within the United States of America or the Dominion of Canada, subject to the limits exclusive of interest and costs, with respect to each such motor vehicle as follows: $25,000 because of bodily injury to or death of one person in any one accident and, subject to such limit for one person, $50,000 because of bodily injury to or death of 2 or more persons in any one accident, and $10,000 because of injury to or destruction of property of others in any one accident.

AB882, s. 57 Section 57 . 346.195 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,25,9 346.195 (2) (c) Identification of the vehicle as an automobile, station wagon, motor truck, motor bus, motorcycle or other type of vehicle.

AB882, s. 58 Section 58. 346.205 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,25,12 346.205 (2) (c) Identification of the vehicle as an automobile, station wagon, motor truck, motor bus, motorcycle or other type of vehicle.

AB882, s. 59 Section 59. 346.457 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,25,15 346.457 (2) (c) Identification of the vehicle as an automobile, station wagon, motor truck, motor bus, motorcycle or other type of vehicle.

AB882, s. 60 Section 60. 346.465 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,25,18 346.465 (2) (c) Identification of the vehicle as an automobile, station wagon, motor truck, motor bus, motorcycle or other type of vehicle.

AB882, s. 61 Section 61. 346.485 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read: