AB444: Bill Text

Under current law, the motor vehicle financial responsibility laws of this state require DOT to notify the operator or owner of a motor vehicle that is involved in an accident that results in injury, death or property damage of $500 or more and to obtain a deposit of security for the accident. A deposit is not required if the person can provide proof of financial responsibility (an applicable motor vehicle liability insurance policy or bond was in effect at the time of the accident providing not less than the following amounts for any single accident: $25,000 for one person, $50,000 for more than one person and $10,000 for property damage).

With certain exceptions, failure to provide proof of financial responsibility or a deposit of security after an accident results in revocation of the operator's motor vehicle operating privilege or of the registration of any vehicles registered by the owner of the vehicle involved in the accident. Any revocation continues until the person provides a deposit of security or otherwise clears his or her liability or a year elapses without an action being commenced as a result of the accident. The ownership or registration of any vehicle whose registration is subject to such revocation may not be transferred unless all of the financial responsibility laws have been complied with or the secretary of transportation determines that the transfer is in good faith and is not designed to thwart the financial responsibility laws of this state.

Currently, the registration of any vehicles registered by the owner of a motor vehicle involved in an accident that results in injury, death or property damage of $500 or more may also be revoked for failure to comply with other provisions of the financial responsibility laws of this state. However, there is no corresponding prohibition on transfer of the ownership or registration of such vehicles.

This bill prohibits transfer of the ownership or registration of any vehicle whose registration is subject to revocation under the financial responsibility laws of this state unless all of the financial responsibility laws have been complied with or the secretary of transportation determines that the transfer is in good faith and is not designed to thwart the financial responsibility laws of this state.

Current law requires DOT to revoke the vehicle operating privilege and motor vehicle registrations of any person who is involved in a motor vehicle accident and who, within 30 days after a court judgment that requires the person to pay to another person (the "judgment creditor") more than $500 for damages arising out of a motor vehicle accident, either fails to satisfy the judgment against the person or fails to appeal the judgment. However, if the judgment creditor consents, DOT may allow the person to keep his or her operating privilege and vehicle registrations if the person: 1) provides proof of financial responsibility for the future (proof of the person's financial ability to pay any damages arising out of a motor vehicle accident in the future); and 2) maintains such proof in effect for three years after the date of the judgment awarding damages.

This bill requires such a person to maintain proof of financial responsibility for the future in effect for three years after the consent agreement between the person and the judgment creditor is filed with DOT, instead of maintaining such proof in effect for three years after the entry of judgment.

Currently, if a person required to pay a judgment in excess of $500 for damages arising out of a motor vehicle accident obtains a court order allowing payment of the judgment in instalments, DOT may not revoke the person's operating privilege or vehicle registrations if the person provides proof of financial responsibility for the future. However, the person is not required to provide proof of financial responsibility for the future if three years have elapsed since the entry of the judgment. Under this bill, such a person is not required to provide proof of financial responsibility if three years have elapsed since the date on which the order permitting payment of the judgment in instalments is filed with DOT.

Also under current law, a person whose operating privilege or vehicle registration is revoked for failing to pay such a judgment may not reinstate the person's operating privilege or vehicle registration unless the person provides and maintains proof of financial responsibility for the future. This requirement does not apply if three years have elapsed since the date of entry of the judgment which was the cause for revocation. Under this bill, the requirement to provide proof of financial responsibility as a condition of reinstatement does not apply if three years have elapsed since the date on which the judgment of monetary damages was satisfied, stayed or discharged.

Under current law, DOT requires certain motor vehicle operators to furnish proof of financial responsibility for the future with respect to any motor vehicle that will be operated by such persons. A vehicle operator may file a certification of insurance as proof of financial responsibility for the future certifying that there is in effect a motor vehicle liability policy insuring any motor vehicle that will be operated by such person with the permission of the vehicle owner. These certifications of insurance may also be filed by any motor vehicle owner who is required to furnish proof of financial responsibility for the future but such certifications are limited to any motor vehicle that will be operated by such person with the permission of the vehicle owner.

This bill provides that any motor vehicle owner who is required to file proof of financial responsibility for the future with DOT may file a certification of insurance that certifies that there is in effect a motor vehicle liability policy insuring all motor vehicles owned by such person and all persons who will be operating any such vehicle with the permission of its owner.

Finally, current law allows DOT and local highway authorities to require an applicant for a permit to transport a vehicle of excessive size or weight upon a highway to provide proof of liability insurance for harm or damage caused by transporting the oversize or overweight vehicle. Such proof of insurance is required for an annual permit to transport an oversize mobile home upon a highway.

This bill eliminates the requirement that an applicant for an annual permit to transport an oversize mobile home upon a highway provide proof of liability insurance. DOT and local highway authorities retain the authority to require such insurance for oversize mobile homes whenever DOT or the local highway authority believes such proof of insurance is appropriate.

Other

Current law specifies the location at which a vehicle identification number (VIN) assigned by DOT must be permanently affixed. This bill eliminates the statutory locations and requires DOT by rule to specify the locations for VIN placement.

Current law recognizes a "station wagon" as a distinct vehicle type, but treats that distinct vehicle type as an "automobile". This bill eliminates "station wagon" as a distinct vehicle type.

Under current law, the operator of a motor vehicle may not pass another motor vehicle within 100 feet of an intersection unless the intersection is marked for two or more lanes of vehicular traffic moving in the same direction or a traffic officer permits the operator to pass at the intersection. Outside of a business or residence district, the operator of a motor vehicle may pass other motor vehicles within 100 feet of an intersection unless the intersection is marked by an official traffic sign or signal.

This bill prohibits the operator of a motor vehicle from passing another motor vehicle within 100 feet of an intersection located outside of a business or residence district if the intersection is marked, in the direction of traffic, by a traffic control signal, stop sign, yield sign or warning sign that warns traffic of existing or potentially hazardous conditions on or adjacent to the roadway.

This bill renumbers the statutory provisions that prohibit making false statements to DOT. It also renumbers the statutory provision requiring an individual who receives a duplicate license or identification card to return to DOT the original license or identification card if the original license or identification card is available. The bill does not make any major substantive changes to current law.

Under current law, DOT administers the bicycle and pedestrian facilities program which provides grants to cities, villages, towns and counties to aid in building bicycle and pedestrian facilities. DOT is required to annually award grants based on applications submitted by April 1. This bill eliminates the requirement that DOT award grants annually under the bicycle and pedestrian facilities grant program. It also eliminates the April 1 deadline for submission of grant applications.

For further information, see the Notes provided by the law revision committee of the joint legislative council.

For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

Law revision committee prefatory note: This bill is a remedial legislation proposal, requested by the department of transportation and introduced by the law revision committee under s. 13.83 (1) (c) 4., stats. After careful consideration of the various provisions of this bill, the law revision committee has determined that this bill makes minor substantive changes in the statutes, and that these changes are desirable as a matter of public policy.

AB444, s. 1 Section 1 . 70.112 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB444,6,5 70.112 (5) Motor vehicles, bicycles, snowmobiles. Every automobile, motor bicycle, motor bus, motorcycle, motor truck, moped, road tractor, school bus, snowmobile, station wagon, truck tractor, or other similar motor vehicle, or trailer or semitrailer used in connection therewith.

Note: Sections 1 , 2, 4 to 7, 9 to 21, 24 , 25, 27 , 28, 31 , 32, 42 , 47, 49 , 71 to 77 and 79 eliminate the definition of, and references to, station wagons which exist in the statutes. According to DOT, DOT does not distinguish between automobiles and station wagons for registration purposes, so the definition of, and references to, "station wagon" serves no useful purpose and should be deleted.

AB444, s. 2 Section 2 . 77.995 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB444,7,16 77.995 Imposition. There is imposed a fee at the rate of 3%, or 5% for the rental of limousines, of the gross receipts on the rental, but not for rerental and not for rental as a service or repair replacement vehicle of Type 1 automobiles, as defined in s. 340.01 (4) (a); of station wagons, as defined in s. 340.01 (61); of mobile homes, as defined in s. 340.01 (29); of motor homes, as defined in s. 340.01 (33m); and of camping trailers, as defined in s. 340.01 (6m) by establishments primarily engaged in short-term rental of vehicles without drivers, for a period of 30 days or less, unless the sale is exempt from the sales tax under s. 77.54 (1), (4), (7) (a), (7m) or (9a). In this section, "limousine" means a passenger automobile that has a capacity of 10 or fewer persons, excluding the driver; that has a minimum of 5 seats behind the driver; that is operated for hire on an hourly basis under a prearranged contract for the transportation of passengers on public roads and highways along a route under the control of the person who hires the vehicle and not over a defined regular route; but "limousine" does not include taxicabs, hotel or airport shuttles or buses, buses employed solely in transporting school children or teachers, vehicles owned and operated without charge or remuneration by a business entity for its own purposes, vehicles used in carpools or vanpools, public agency vehicles that are not operated as a commercial venture, vehicles operated as part of the employment transit assistance program under s. 106.26, ambulances or any vehicle that is used exclusively in the business of funeral directing.

AB444, s. 3 Section 3. 85.024 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB444,8,2 85.024 (2) The department shall administer a bicycle and pedestrian facilities program to award grants of assistance to political subdivisions for the planning, development or construction of bicycle and pedestrian facilities. Annually, the The department shall award from the appropriation under s. 20.395 (2) (nx) grants to political subdivisions under this section. A political subdivision that is awarded a grant under this section shall contribute matching funds equal to at least 25% of the amount awarded under this section. The department shall select grant recipients annually beginning in 1994 from applications submitted to the department on or before April 1 of each year.

Note: This Section amends current law to allow DOT to award bicycle and pedestrian facility grants at any time during the calendar year and will eliminate the requirement that for each year's grants, all applications must be submitted on or before April 1 of each year.

AB444, s. 4 Section 4 . 340.01 (61) of the statutes is repealed.

AB444, s. 5 Section 5. 341.03 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB444,8,8 341.03 (2) (a) Any person who violates sub. (1), where the vehicle used is an automobile, station wagon or any other vehicle having a gross weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less, as determined by the manufacturer of the vehicle, may be required to forfeit not more than $200.

AB444, s. 6 Section 6. 341.04 (1) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB444,8,23 341.04 (1) (intro.) It is unlawful for any person to operate or for an owner to consent to being operated on any highway of this state any motor vehicle, mobile home, trailer or semitrailer or any other vehicle for which a registration fee is specifically prescribed unless at the time of operation the vehicle in question either is registered in this state, or, except for registration under s. 341.30 or 341.305, a complete application for registration, including evidence of any inspection under s. 110.20 when required, accompanied by the required fee has been delivered to the department, submitted to a dealer under s. 341.09 (2m) for transmittal to the department or deposited in the mail properly addressed with postage prepaid and, if the vehicle is an automobile, station wagon or motor truck having a registered weight of 8,000 pounds or less, the vehicle displays a temporary operation plate issued for the vehicle unless the operator or owner of the vehicle produces proof that operation of the vehicle is within 2 business days of the vehicle's sale or transfer, or the vehicle in question is exempt from registration.

AB444, s. 7 Section 7 . 341.04 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB444,9,5 341.04 (3) (a) Any person who violates sub. (1) or (2), where the vehicle used is an automobile, station wagon, or any other vehicle having a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less, as determined by the manufacturer of the vehicle, may be required to forfeit not more than $200.

AB444, s. 8 Section 8 . 341.06 (1) (am) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB444,9,10 341.06 (1) (am) A trailer or semitrailer or camping trailer having a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or less and not used for hire or rental. The registration fee charged under this paragraph shall be the same as if the trailer or semitrailer were to be used for hire or rental the fee under s. 341.25 (1) (gd).

Note: Under current s. 341.06 (1) (am), stats., a person may register a trailer or semitrailer or camping trailer that has a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or less and is not used for hire or rental. The registration fee is the same as if it were to be used for hire or rental. Under s. 341.25 (1) (gd), stats., for each trailer or semitrailer or camping trailer that has a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or less and is used for hire or rental, the fee is 1/2 of the fee prescribed for a motor truck of the same weight. Also, under s. 341.308, stats., the owner of a fleet of 100 or more trailers each having a gross weight of 4,500 pounds or less and used for hire or rental may register the trailers for a 6-year period ending on June 30. This Section inserts a cross-reference for s. 341.25 (1) (gd), stats., under which trailers used for hire or rental are registered. This change, combined with the change made to s. 341.308 (2), stats., by Section 39, will allow registrations for all 3 categories of trailers to expire on the same date and allow DOT to consolidate small trailer registration plates with large trailer registration plates that expire on December 31. See also the Note following Section 39.

AB444, s. 9 Section 9 . 341.09 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB444,9,18 341.09 (1) (b) The department shall specify by rule the size, color, design, form and specifications of temporary operation plates issued under sub. (2m) or (9) for an automobile, station wagon or motor truck having a registered weight of 8,000 pounds or less, and the system to be used to identify the date of issuance of such plates. All temporary operation plates issued under sub. (2m) or (9) for an automobile, station wagon or motor truck having a registered weight of 8,000 pounds or less shall contain a registration number composed of letters or numbers.

AB444, s. 10 Section 10. 341.09 (2) (g) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB444,10,4 341.09 (2) (g) A temporary operation plate may not be issued under this subsection to a state resident for use on an automobile, station wagon or motor truck having a registered weight of 8,000 pounds or less.

AB444, s. 11 Section 11 . 341.09 (2m) (a) 1. b. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB444,10,13 341.09 (2m) (a) 1. b. A state resident who purchases or leases an automobile, station wagon or motor truck having a registered weight of 8,000 pounds or less from a person other than the dealer for use on such vehicle if the state resident submits to the dealer a complete application for registration of the vehicle, including evidence of any inspection under s. 110.20 when required, and for a new certificate of title for the a purchased vehicle, together with a check or money order made payable to the department for all applicable title, registration, security interest and sales tax moneys, for transmittal to the department by the dealer.

Note: Sections 11 and 12 apply the same provisions in current law regarding motor vehicle dealer issuance of temporary license plates to leased vehicles, as well as to purchased vehicles. According to DOT, these changes reflect the current prevalence of vehicle leasing arrangements. See also the Note following Section 1 .

AB444, s. 12 Section 12 . 341.09 (2m) (a) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB444,11,2 341.09 (2m) (a) 2. Notwithstanding subd. 1., the department shall issue a sufficient number of temporary operation plates without charge to each dealer licensed in this state for issuance under this subdivision. Each dealer shall issue a temporary operation plate without charge to any state resident who purchases or leases from the dealer an automobile, station wagon or motor truck having a registered weight of 8,000 pounds or less, for use on such vehicle if the state resident submits to the dealer a complete application for registration of the vehicle, including evidence of inspection under s. 110.20 when required, and for a new certificate of title for the a purchased vehicle, together with a check or money order made payable to the department for all applicable title, registration, security interest and sales tax moneys, for transmittal to the department by the dealer.

AB444, s. 13 Section 13. 341.09 (9) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB444,11,11 341.09 (9) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the department shall issue a temporary operation plate without charge for an automobile , station wagon or motor truck having a registered weight of 8,000 pounds or less upon receipt of a complete application accompanied by the required fee for registration of the vehicle, including evidence of any inspection under s. 110.20 when required, if the department does not immediately issue the regular registration plates for the vehicle and the department determines that the applicant has not otherwise been issued a temporary operation plate under this section.

AB444, s. 14 Section 14 . 341.14 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB444,12,4 341.14 (1) If any resident of this state who is registering or has registered an automobile or station wagon, 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, a farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 12,000 pounds or a motor home submits a statement once every 4 years, as determined by the department, from the U.S. department of veterans affairs certifying to the department that the resident is, by reason of injuries sustained while in the active U.S. military service, a person with a disability that limits or impairs the ability to walk, the department shall procure, issue and deliver to the veteran, plates of a special design in lieu of the plates which ordinarily would be issued for the vehicle, and shall renew the plates. The plates shall have a light blue background except for a white border not to exceed one inch at top and bottom, and blue lettering, except that the word "VET" and the identifying number shown on the plates shall be colored red. The plates shall be so designed as to readily apprise law enforcement officers of the fact that the vehicle is owned by a disabled veteran and is entitled to the parking privileges specified in s. 346.50 (2). No charge in addition to the registration fee shall be made for the issuance or renewal of such plates.

AB444, s. 15 Section 15. 341.14 (1a) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act 67, is amended to read:

AB444,12,23 341.14 (1a) If any resident of this state, who is registering or has registered an automobile or station wagon, 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, a farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 12,000 pounds or a motor home, submits a statement once every 4 years, as determined by the department, from a physician licensed to practice medicine in any state, from an advanced practice nurse licensed to practice nursing in any state, from a physician assistant licensed or certified to practice in any state, from a chiropractor licensed to practice chiropractic in any state or from a Christian Science practitioner residing in this state and listed in the Christian Science journal certifying to the department that the resident is a person with a disability that limits or impairs the ability to walk, the department shall procure, issue and deliver to the disabled person plates of a special design in lieu of plates which ordinarily would be issued for the vehicle, and shall renew the plates. The plates shall be so designed as to readily apprise law enforcement officers of the fact that the vehicle is owned by a nonveteran disabled person and is entitled to the parking privileges specified in s. 346.50 (2a). No charge in addition to the registration fee shall be made for the issuance or renewal of such plates.

AB444, s. 16 Section 16. 341.14 (1m) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act 67, is amended to read:

AB444,13,18 341.14 (1m) If any licensed driver submits to the department a statement once every 4 years, as determined by the department, from a physician licensed to practice medicine in any state, from an advanced practice nurse licensed to practice nursing in any state, from a physician assistant licensed or certified to practice in any state, from a chiropractor licensed to practice chiropractic in any state or from a Christian Science practitioner residing in this state and listed in the Christian Science journal certifying that another person who is regularly dependent on the licensed driver for transportation is a person with a disability that limits or impairs the ability to walk, the department shall issue and deliver to the licensed driver plates of a special design in lieu of the plates which ordinarily would be issued for the automobile or station wagon, or motor truck, dual purpose motor home or dual purpose farm truck having a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds, farm truck having a gross weight of not more than 12,000 pounds or motor home, and shall renew the plates. The plates shall be so designed as to readily apprise law enforcement officers of the fact that the vehicle is operated by a licensed driver on whom a disabled person is regularly dependent and is entitled to the parking privileges specified in s. 346.50 (2a). No charge in addition to the registration fee may be made for the issuance or renewal of the plates. The plates shall conform to the plates required in sub. (1a).

AB444, s. 17 Section 17. 341.14 (1q) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act 67, is amended to read:

AB444,14,13 341.14 (1q) If any employer who provides an automobile or station wagon, 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, a farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 12,000 pounds or a motor home, for an employe's use submits to the department a statement once every 4 years, as determined by the department, from a physician licensed to practice medicine in any state, from an advanced practice nurse licensed to practice nursing in any state, from a physician assistant licensed or certified to practice in any state, from a chiropractor licensed to practice chiropractic in any state or from a Christian Science practitioner residing in this state and listed in the Christian Science journal certifying that the employe is a person with a disability that limits or impairs the ability to walk, the department shall issue and deliver to such employer plates of a special design in lieu of the plates which ordinarily would be issued for the vehicle, and shall renew the plates. The plates shall be so designed as to readily apprise law enforcement officers of the fact that the vehicle is operated by a disabled person and is entitled to the parking privileges specified in s. 346.50 (2a). No charge in addition to the registration fee may be made for the issuance or renewal of the plates. The plates shall conform to the plates required in sub. (1a).

AB444, s. 18 Section 18. 341.14 (1r) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB444,15,2 341.14 (1r) (a) If any resident of this state who is registering or has registered an automobile or station wagon, 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, a farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 12,000 pounds or a motor home submits a statement once every 4 years, as determined by the department, certifying to the department that the vehicle is leased to a person who qualifies for special plates under sub. (1) or (1a) together with the information required under sub. (1) or (1a), the department shall issue and deliver to the resident, plates of the appropriate special design under sub. (1) or (1a) in lieu of the plates which ordinarily would be issued for the vehicle, and shall renew the plates. No charge in addition to the registration fee shall be made for the issuance or renewal of the plates. No plates may be issued and delivered to a resident under this paragraph on or after January 1, 1998.

AB444, s. 19 Section 19. 341.14 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB444,15,15 341.14 (2) Upon compliance with the laws relating to registration of automobiles, station wagons and motor homes; motor trucks, dual purpose motor homes and dual purpose farm trucks which have a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds; and farm trucks which have a gross weight of not more than 12,000 pounds, including payment of the prescribed registration fees therefor plus an additional fee of $10 when registration plates are issued accompanied by an application showing satisfactory proof that the applicant is the holder of an unexpired amateur radio station license issued by the federal communications commission, the department shall issue registration plates on which, in lieu of the usual registration number, shall be inscribed in large legible form the call letters of such applicant as assigned by the federal communications commission. The fee for reissuance of a plate under this subsection shall be $10.

AB444, s. 20 Section 20. 341.14 (6) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB444,16,3 341.14 (6) (a) Upon application to register an automobile or station wagon or a motor truck or dual purpose farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds by any person who was a member of any of the U.S. armed services and who was held as a prisoner of war during any of the conflicts described in s. 45.35 (5) (e) 2. to 8. or in Bosnia, Grenada, Lebanon, Panama, Somalia or a Middle East crisis under s. 45.34, and upon submission of a statement from the U.S. department of veterans affairs certifying that the person was a prisoner of war during one of the conflicts described in s. 45.35 (5) (e) 2. to 8. or in Bosnia, Grenada, Lebanon, Panama, Somalia or a Middle East crisis under s. 45.34, the department shall issue to the person a special plate which is colored red, white and blue and which has the words "ex-prisoner of war" placed on the plate in the manner designated by the department.

AB444, s. 21 Section 21 . 341.14 (6m) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB444,16,13 341.14 (6m) (a) Upon application to register an automobile, station wagon or motor truck which has a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds by any person who is a resident of this state and a member or retired member of the national guard, the department shall issue to the person special plates whose colors and design shall be determined by the department, after consultation with the adjutant general, and which have the words "Wisconsin guard member" placed on the plates in the manner designated by the department. An additional fee of $10 shall be charged for the issuance of the plates. Registration plates issued under this subsection shall expire annually.

AB444, s. 22 Section 22 . 341.14 (6m) (b) (intro.) and 1. of the statutes are consolidated, renumbered 341.14 (6m) (b) and amended to read:

AB444,16,20 341.14 (6m) (b) Except as provided in par. (c), if an individual in possession of special plates under this subsection or of personalized plates under s. 341.145 (1) (b) does not maintain membership in the national guard during a year which is not a plate issuance year, the individual shall do all of the following: 1. Dispose dispose of the special plates in a manner prescribed by the department.

Note: Sections 22 , 23, 26 and 30 eliminate the $4 replacement fee that is charged when someone who is no longer eligible for certain special group plates reregisters a vehicle to a regular plate. These changes correspond to the changes in Sections 36 to 38, 40 and 41 of the bill that eliminate the provisions in current law which prohibit the owner of an automobile that is being registered with DOT from receiving credit for the unused portion of another automobile's registration or transferring the automobile's license plates to the automobile that is being registered, if these credit or plate transfer provisions have applied, within the previous 12-month period, to the automobile that is being registered.

AB444, s. 23 Section 23 . 341.14 (6m) (b) 2. of the statutes is repealed.

AB444, s. 24 Section 24 . 341.14 (6r) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB444,17,9 341.14 (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.

AB444, s. 25 Section 25 . 341.14 (6r) (bg) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB444,17,17 341.14 (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.

AB444, s. 26 Section 26 . 341.14 (6r) (g) of the statutes is repealed and recreated to read:

AB444,17,24 341.14 (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 that is not a plate issuance year, the individual shall dispose of the special plates in a manner prescribed by the department.

AB444, s. 27 Section 27 . 341.145 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB444,18,11 341.145 (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.

AB444, s. 28 Section 28 . 341.145 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB444,18,17 341.145 (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.

AB444, s. 29 Section 29 . 341.145 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB444,18,21 341.145 (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: This Section 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, this requirement is no longer necessary.

AB444, s. 30 Section 30 . 341.145 (5) of the statutes is repealed and recreated to read:

AB444,19,4 341.145 (5) If an individual in possession of a personalized registration plate does not maintain the personalized registration plate under sub. (3) during a year that is not a plate issuance year, the individual shall dispose of the personalized plate in a manner prescribed by the department.

AB444, s. 31 Section 31 . 341.25 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read: