AB119: Bill Text

1997 - 1998 LEGISLATURE

1997 Assembly BILL 119

February 18, 1997 - Introduced by Representatives Otte, M. Lehman, Hasenohrl, Ryba, Hahn, Seratti, La Fave, Kreibich, Ainsworth, Jensen, Olsen, Goetsch, Grothman, Owens and Powers, cosponsored by Senators C. Potter, Plache and Panzer. Referred to Committee on Highways and Transportation.

AB119,1,4 An Act to amend 341.14 (6r) (a) and (b) 3. and 341.14 (6r) (f) (intro.); and to create 20.395 (5) (cj), 25.40 (1) (a) 13. and 341.14 (6r) (fm) of the statutes; relating to: special distinguishing registration plates, payments to authorized special groups, granting rule-making authority and making an appropriation.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Members of authorized special groups are currently permitted by law to obtain special distinguishing registration plates for certain vehicles registered with the department of transportation (DOT). Special plates may be obtained for automobiles, station wagons, motor homes and certain dual purpose motor homes, farm trucks and dual purpose farm trucks owned or leased by special group members. A fee, in addition to the annual registration fee for the particular kind of vehicle, is assessed for issuance or reissuance of the special plates. Each authorized special group is required to be specifically enumerated in state law. Currently, there are 57 authorized special groups.

This bill replaces the enumeration in state law of each authorized special group whose members are eligible for special plates with a designation by DOT of each authorized special group. The bill permits any group or organization to apply to DOT for designation as an authorized special group. If the application is approved by DOT, members of the authorized special group may obtain special plates. In addition to the regular vehicle registration fee, members are required to pay a $15 fee for issuance or reissuance of the special plates.

DOT must promulgate rules establishing criteria and procedures for the designation of authorized special groups. The 58 authorized special groups currently enumerated in state law are unaffected by the bill, but the enumeration of additional authorized special groups is prohibited.

For further information see the state 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:

AB119, s. 1 Section 1. 20.395 (5) (cj) of the statutes is created to read:

AB119,2,5 20.395 (5) (cj) Vehicle registration, special group plates, state funds. From the general fund, all moneys deposited under s. 341.14 (6r) (fm) 2., for the purpose of producing and issuing special group plates under s. 341.14 (6r) and making payments under s. 341.14 (6r) (fm) 2.

AB119, s. 2 Section 2. 25.40 (1) (a) 13. of the statutes is created to read:

AB119,2,8 25.40 (1) (a) 13. Moneys received under s. 341.14 (6r) (fm) 2. that are deposited in the general fund and credited to the appropriation under s. 20.395 (5) (cj).

AB119, s. 3 Section 3. 341.14 (6r) (a) and (b) 3. of the statutes are amended to read:

AB119,2,12 341.14 (6r) (a) In this subsection and s. 341.145 (1) (c), "authorized special group" means a special group enumerated in par. (f) or designated by the department under par. (fm).

AB119,3,2 (b) 3. An additional fee of $15 shall be charged for the issuance or reissuance of a plate issued on an annual basis for a special group specified under par. (f) 35. to 47. or designated by the department under par. (fm). An additional fee of $15 shall be charged for the issuance or reissuance of a plate issued on a biennial basis for a special group specified under par. (f) 35. to 47. or designated by the department under par. (fm) if the plate is issued during the first year of the biennial registration period or $15 for the issuance or reissuance if the plate is issued during the 2nd year of the biennial registration period.

AB119, s. 4 Section 4. 341.14 (6r) (f) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB119,3,5 341.14 (6r) (f) (intro.) The department shall issue special group plates under this subsection only for the following authorized special groups:

AB119, s. 5 Section 5. 341.14 (6r) (fm) of the statutes is created to read:

AB119,3,10 341.14 (6r) (fm) 1. In addition to the special groups specified under par. (f), any group or organization may apply to the department for designation as an authorized special group. The department shall designate any group or organization that meets all of the following criteria as an authorized special group:

AB119,3,11 a. The group or organization is not organized or operated for profit.

AB119,3,13 b. The group or organization is not a political committee, as defined in s. 11.01 (4), or a political group, as defined in s. 11.01 (10).

AB119,3,15 c. The group or organization is not a church, a synagogue, a mosque or any organization, whether or not organized under ch. 187, that operates under a creed.

AB119,3,17 d. The group or organization does not promote, practice or encourage hatred or any form of discrimination.

AB119,3,20 e. The group or organization does not carry connotations offensive to good taste or decency, or that would be misleading, or in conflict with the enumeration or designation of any other authorized special group.

AB119,3,22 2. The application for designation as an authorized special group shall include all of the following:

AB119,4,2 a. The names, addresses and signatures of at least 250 persons, with each person's signature certifying that the person desires to obtain special plates as a member of that group or organization if the department designates the group or organization as an authorized special group.

AB119,4,7 b. A deposit of $3,750 that shall be returned to the group or organization if the application is denied or, if the application is approved, $15 times the number of special group plates issued to members of the authorized special group in the first year of issuance of the special group plate shall be returned to the group or organization, up to a maximum of $3,750.

AB119,4,10 c. Any other information that the department reasonably requires to determine whether the group or organization is entitled by law to designation as an authorized special group.

AB119,4,15 4. If the application for designation as an authorized special group is denied, the department shall promptly return the application to the group or organization, together with a notice stating the reason for the denial. All decisions of the department with respect to applications under this paragraph shall be final and not subject to judicial review under ch. 227.

AB119,4,17 5. The department may not assist any group or organization in the use of special group plates in any fund-raising effort by the group or organization.

AB119,4,20 6. The department shall establish by rule procedures for the designation of authorized special groups under this paragraph and for the issuance of special group plates under this subsection to members of the authorized special groups.

AB119,4,25 7. After the effective date of this subd. 7. .... [revisor inserts date], additional authorized special groups may only be special groups designated by the department under this paragraph. The authorized special groups enumerated in par. (f) shall be limited solely to those special groups specified under par. (f) on the effective date of this subd. 7. .... [revisor inserts date].

AB119, s. 6 Section 6. Effective date.

AB119,5,3 (1) This act takes effect on the first day of the 4th month beginning after publication.

AB119,5,4 (End)