AB78: Bill Text

LRB-1864/1

ZDW:emw

2019 - 2020 LEGISLATURE

2019 Assembly BILL 78

March 15, 2019 - Introduced by Representatives Knodl, Brandtjen, Brooks, Edming, Felzkowski, Gundrum, Horlacher, Kerkman, Kuglitsch, Kulp, Kurtz, Mursau, Novak, Oldenburg, Petryk, Plumer, Pronschinske, Ramthun, Rodriguez, Rohrkaste, Shankland, Tittl, Tranel, Tusler, VanderMeer and Wichgers, cosponsored by Senators Jacque, Marklein, Schachtner, Stroebel and Kapenga. Referred to Committee on Transportation.

AB78,1,11 An Act to repeal 340.01 (32) (a) (intro.); to renumber 340.01 (32) (a) 1., 340.01 (32) (a) 2. and 340.01 (32) (b); to renumber and amend 990.01 (43m); to amend 20.395 (5) (dr), 20.395 (5) (eh), 85.30, 340.01 (29m) (am) 2., 340.01 (32) (intro.), 340.01 (38m) (a) 1., 341.10 (6), 343.03 (3) (a), 343.04 (1) (e), 343.05 (3) (b), 343.07 (1g) (intro.), 343.07 (4) (title) and (a), 343.07 (4) (b), 343.08 (1) (a), 343.08 (2) (a), 343.16 (1) (d) 1., 343.16 (2) (b), 343.17 (3) (c) 5., 343.32 (4), 346.54 (1) (cm), 346.595 (1), 346.595 (3), 346.595 (3m), 347.09 (1) (b), 347.15 (1), 347.35 (1a), 347.42, 347.485 (title) and (1), 347.485 (2) (c), 347.485 (3), 347.485 (4), 347.486 (1), 347.486 (2), 347.487 and 990.01 (43r); and to create 340.01 (3m) and 341.25 (1) (bg) of the statutes; relating to: registration and operation of vehicles defined as autocycles.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill creates a definition of an autocycle, which is a three-wheeled motor vehicle with operation controls similar to an automobile.

Under current law, there are two types of motorcycles. A “Type 1 motorcycle" is a motor vehicle which has either two wheels in tandem and a seat for the operator or three wheels and unenclosed seating for the operator and passengers. A “Type 2 motorcycle" is a motor vehicle with at least three wheels and an enclosed space for the operator and passengers. This bill eliminates the definition for the Type 2 motorcycle and creates a definition for an autocycle. A “Type 1 autocycle" is defined as a motor vehicle, excluding a tractor, an all-terrain vehicle, or a utility terrain vehicle, that is designed and built to have a steering wheel, foot-operated pedals for controlling acceleration and braking, and at least three wheels in contact with the ground. A “Type 2 autocycle” is a vehicle meeting the current definition of a Type 2 motorcycle.

Under current law, a motor vehicle may not be operated upon a highway in this state without a current, valid registration. Generally, the fee for registering an automobile with the Department of Transportation is $75 annually. The fee for registering a motorcycle is $23 biennially. Under this bill, the fee for registering an autocycle is $45 annually.

Under current law, no person may operate a motor vehicle upon a highway in this state unless the person possesses a valid operator's license. Additional endorsements are required for the operation of certain vehicles, including motorcycles. This bill classifies autocycles as “Class D" vehicles, which means they may be operated with the regular license issued by DOT without the need for additional endorsements.

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:

AB78,1 Section 1. 20.395 (5) (dr) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB78,2,4 20.395 (5) (dr) Transportation safety, state funds. The amounts in the schedule for activities related to highway safety under s. 85.07 and the Type 1 motorcycle, moped, and motor bicycle safety program under s. 85.30.

AB78,2 Section 2. 20.395 (5) (eh) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB78,3,2 20.395 (5) (eh) Motorcycle safety program supplement, state funds. From the general fund, all moneys received under s. 341.14 (6r) (b) 14m., for activities under the Type 1 motorcycle, moped, and motor bicycle safety program under s. 85.30 limited to evaluation of basic rider education courses, conducting public workshops, rallies, and programs related to Type 1 motorcycle safety and training, and making grants for providing motorcycle riding courses.

AB78,3 Section 3. 85.30 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB78,3,12 85.30 Type 1 motorcycle Motorcycle, moped and motor bicycle safety program. The department shall develop and administer a Type 1 motorcycle, moped and motor bicycle safety program. The program shall include operational skills training, safety education and public awareness and such other elements as the department deems desirable. The safety education program for Type 1 motorcycles shall include instruction as to the proper eye protection to be worn during hours of darkness. The department may make grants under this program for establishment of courses which further the aims of this program. The department shall adopt rules to implement this section.

AB78,4 Section 4. 340.01 (3m) of the statutes is created to read:

AB78,3,18 340.01 (3m) “Autocycle" means a motor vehicle, excluding a tractor, an all-terrain vehicle, or a utility terrain vehicle, that is capable of speeds in excess of 30 miles per hour with a 150-pound rider on a dry, level, hard surface with no wind, with a power source as an integral part of the vehicle, and that meets either of the following conditions:

AB78,3,21 (a) Type 1 is a motor vehicle designed and built to have at least 3 wheels in contact with the ground, seating for the operator and one passenger, a steering wheel, and foot-operated pedals for controlling acceleration and braking.

AB78,5 Section 5. 340.01 (29m) (am) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB78,3,25 340.01 (29m) (am) 2. A Type 1 motorcycle with an automatic transmission and an engine certified by the manufacturer at not more than 50 cubic centimeters or an equivalent power unit.

AB78,6 Section 6. 340.01 (32) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB78,4,6 340.01 (32) (intro.) “Motorcycle" means a motor vehicle, excluding a tractor, an all-terrain vehicle, or a utility terrain vehicle, which that is capable of speeds in excess of 30 miles per hour with a 150-pound rider on a dry, level, hard surface with no wind, with a power source as an integral part of the vehicle, and which that meets either of the following conditions under par. (a) or (b):

AB78,7 Section 7. 340.01 (32) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is repealed.

AB78,8 Section 8. 340.01 (32) (a) 1. of the statutes is renumbered 340.01 (32) (c).

AB78,9 Section 9. 340.01 (32) (a) 2. of the statutes is renumbered 340.01 (32) (d).

AB78,10 Section 10. 340.01 (32) (b) of the statutes is renumbered 340.01 (3m) (b).

AB78,11 Section 11. 340.01 (38m) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB78,4,20 340.01 (38m) (a) 1. A motor vehicle that is designed and constructed to carry no more than 2 persons and to be used for collecting residential and commercial solid waste, such as yard waste, recyclable materials, and household garbage, refuse, and rubbish, landscaping, or incidental street maintenances; that is not certified by the manufacturer for on-road use or that is certified by the manufacturer as meeting the equipment standards for a low-speed vehicle under 49 CFR 571.500; and that satisfies the equipment standards for a Type 2 automobile or Type 2 motorcycle autocycle under ch. 347 or the equipment standards for a low-speed vehicle under 49 CFR 571.500.

AB78,12 Section 12. 341.10 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB78,5,4 341.10 (6) The vehicle was manufactured after 1969 and does not meet manufacturer or importer certification label requirements as specified in 49 CFR 567 or the vehicle is a Kei class vehicle. This subsection does not apply to autocycles, former military vehicles, historic military vehicles, as defined in s. 341.269 (1) (a), for which the department receives an application, and which are eligible, for registration under s. 341.269, or special interest vehicles, as defined in s. 341.266 (1) (c), for which the department receives an application, and which are eligible, for registration under s. 341.266.

AB78,13 Section 13. 341.25 (1) (bg) of the statutes is created to read:

AB78,5,6 341.25 (1) (bg) For each autocycle, a fee of $45.

AB78,14 Section 14. 343.03 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB78,5,14 343.03 (3) (a) Regular license. The standard license legend is “regular" or a readily recognizable abbreviation thereof. The regular license, without any express endorsements or restrictions as provided in this chapter, authorizes the licensee to operate only “class D" vehicles as described in s. 343.04 (1) (d), except as otherwise provided in this subsection. The license may be endorsed to permit operation of Type 1 motorcycles or school buses that are not commercial motor vehicles. A regular license may be subject to restrictions.

AB78,15 Section 15. 343.04 (1) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB78,5,16 343.04 (1) (e) Class M. A “Class M" vehicle is any Type 1 motorcycle.

AB78,16 Section 16. 343.05 (3) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB78,5,20 343.05 (3) (b) No person may operate a Type 1 motorcycle unless the person possesses a valid operator's license specifically authorizing the operation of Type 1 motorcycles.

AB78,17 Section 17. 343.07 (1g) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB78,6,6 343.07 (1g) Regular permit; issuance, restrictions. (intro.) Upon application therefor by a person at least 15 years and 6 months of age who, except for age or lack of training in the operation of a motor vehicle, is qualified to obtain an operator's license and has passed such knowledge test as the department may require, the department may issue a regular instruction permit. If the application is made by a male who is at least 18 years of age but less than 26 years of age, the application shall include the information required under s. 343.14 (2) (em). The permit entitles the permittee to operate a motor vehicle, except a commercial motor vehicle, school bus, or Type 1 motorcycle, a motor bicycle, or a moped, upon the highways, subject to the following restrictions:

AB78,18 Section 18. 343.07 (4) (title) and (a) of the statutes are amended to read:

AB78,6,12 343.07 (4) (title) Instruction permits; Type 1 motorcycle, motor bicycle , and moped. (a) Subject to s. 343.16 (1) (a), upon application by a person who qualifies for issuance of a license under s. 343.06 (1) (c) and who wishes to qualify for the operation of a Type 1 motorcycle, the department may issue an instruction permit for the operation of “Class M" vehicles.

AB78,19 Section 19. 343.07 (4) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB78,6,20 343.07 (4) (b) The permit for Type 1 motorcycle operation shall be valid for 6 months. The department shall issue no more than 3 permits for Type 1 motorcycle operation to a person unless the person has successfully completed a rider course approved by the department. The department may, by rule, exempt certain persons from the rider course requirement of this paragraph. The permit for Type 1 motorcycle operation entitles the permittee to operate a Type 1 motorcycle subject to the following restrictions:

AB78,6,23 1. No passenger may accompany the permittee except that a person with at least 2 years of licensed driving experience and whose license is endorsed for Type 1 motorcycle operation may ride as a passenger-instructor.