AB840: Bill Text

LRB-3699/4

MGG:kjf&jld:rs

2005 - 2006 LEGISLATURE

2005 Assembly BILL 840

November 23, 2005 - Introduced by Representatives Kaufert, LeMahieu, Gard, Bies, Krawczyk, Meyer, Gunderson, Van Roy, Ziegelbauer, Petrowski, Owens, Huebsch, Kerkman, Towns, Ainsworth, J. Fitzgerald, Jeskewitz, Gronemus, Travis, Townsend, Davis, Ott and Hahn, cosponsored by Senators S. Fitzgerald, A. Lasee, Grothman, Breske, Erpenbach, Hansen and Plale. Referred to Joint Committee on Finance.

AB840,1,4 An Act to repeal 20.370 (3) (af); and to create 20.370 (3) (af) and 350.10 (1) (gm) of the statutes; relating to: a speed limit for operation of snowmobiles during the hours of darkness, enforcement and safety relating to the operation of snowmobiles, and making an appropriation.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, with certain exceptions, there are no statutory speed restrictions imposed on the operation of snowmobiles unless they are being operated along or adjacent to the roadways of highways or of other thoroughfares. In those cases, the roadway speed limit applies. This bill creates an overall prohibition that no person may operate a snowmobile at a speed exceeding 55 miles per hour during the hours of darkness regardless of where the person is operating the snowmobile. Current law defines "hours of darkness" to be the time between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise and any other time when there is not enough natural light to clearly see a person or vehicle 500 feet away.

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:

AB840, s. 1 Section 1. 20.005 (3) (schedule) of the statutes: at the appropriate place, insert the following amounts for the purposes indicated: - See PDF for table

AB840, s. 2 Section 2. 20.370 (3) (af) of the statutes is created to read:

AB840,2,6 20.370 (3) (af) Law enforcement — snowmobile enforcement; general fund. From the general fund, the amounts in the schedule for state snowmobile enforcement and safety operations.

AB840, s. 3 Section 3. 20.370 (3) (af) of the statutes, as created by 2005 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is repealed.

AB840, s. 4 Section 4. 350.10 (1) (gm) of the statutes is created to read:

AB840,2,11 350.10 (1) (gm) During the hours of darkness at a rate of speed exceeding 55 miles per hour.

AB840, s. 5 Section 5. Effective dates. This act takes effect on the first day of the 3rd month beginning after publication except as follows:

AB840,2,15 (1) The repeal of section 20.370 (3) (af) of the statutes takes effect on June 30, 2006.

AB840,2,16 (End)