AB455: Bill Text

LRB-2992/1

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2015 - 2016 LEGISLATURE

2015 Assembly BILL 455

October 26, 2015 - Introduced by Representatives Weatherston, Jagler, Swearingen, Kremer, Heaton, Edming, Murtha, Skowronski, Petryk, Schraa, Knudson, Ohnstad, Czaja, Kulp, Mursau, Kitchens, Kuglitsch, Considine, A. Ott, Horlacher, Quinn, Thiesfeldt, Brandtjen, T. Larson, Petersen and Murphy, cosponsored by Senator Wanggaard. Referred to Committee on Transportation.

AB455,1,5 An Act to amend 341.12 (3) (intro.), 341.15 (3) (a) and 341.266 (2) (dm) 1. (intro.); and to create 341.08 (2) (g), 341.08 (2) (h), 341.15 (1r), 341.15 (3) (am), 341.266 (2m) and 341.268 (2m) of the statutes; relating to: registration of special interest, reconstructed, replica, or street modified vehicles and providing a penalty.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill allows a person who registers a specified special interest, reconstructed, replica, or street modified vehicle to provide and display historical plates in lieu of the special plates issued by the Department of Transportation (DOT).

Under current law, any person who is the owner of a special interest vehicle that is a former military vehicle or that is at least 20 years old may register the vehicle as a special interest vehicle. DOT is required to furnish the owner of the vehicle with registration plates of a distinctive design that show that the vehicle is owned by a Wisconsin collector. A person who registers a special interest vehicle manufactured before 1979 may furnish and display on the vehicle one or two historical plates from the model year of the vehicle. The historical plates may be displayed only while the vehicle is being operated to or from a car show or parade and the registration plates issued by DOT must be carried in the vehicle. Under this bill, historical plates may be displayed on a special interest vehicle manufactured before 1985.

Under current law, any person who is the owner of a reconstructed, replica, street modified, or homemade vehicle may register the vehicle as a reconstructed, replica, street modified, or homemade vehicle. DOT is required to furnish the owner of the vehicle with registration plates of a distinctive design that show that the vehicle is owned by a Wisconsin hobbyist.

Under this bill, a person who registers a special interest vehicle manufactured before 1985, a reconstructed vehicle assembled from a vehicle manufactured before 1985, a replica vehicle that is a reproduction of a vehicle manufactured before 1985, or a street modified vehicle manufactured before 1985 may furnish and display on the vehicle two historical plates. The owner is required to provide DOT with the registration number on the historical plates and may be required to provide proof of possession of the plates. DOT is required to issue the applicable special plate for the vehicle and record in its motor vehicle registration database the registration number on the historical plates provided to DOT.

Under this bill, the historical plates must be original Wisconsin plates that are not special or personalized plates, were issued for a vehicle of the same type, and that have a design that was issued during a time period that includes the model year of the vehicle. The plates must be legible and both plates must display the same registration number, which cannot be shared by any other vehicle registered with DOT currently or within the two years preceding the registration, and cannot be reserved. A vehicle owner displaying historical plates must display one to the front and one to the rear of the vehicle, unless the vehicle is a motorcycle, upon which only one plate to the rear is required. The historical plates may be displayed only if the registration plates issued by DOT are carried in the vehicle. Failure to display the plates as required may result in a forfeiture of not more than $200.

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:

AB455,1 Section 1. 341.08 (2) (g) of the statutes is created to read:

AB455,3,2 341.08 (2) (g) If the application is for registration of a special interest vehicle that meets the criteria under s. 341.266 (2m) (a), a space for the applicant to state that he or she wishes to display historical plates on the vehicle as provided in s. 341.266 (2m) (a) and to identify the registration number displayed on these historical plates. The department may also require the applicant to demonstrate that the registration number on these plates is identical to the registration number stated in the application. The applicant may satisfy this requirement by any means approved by the department.

AB455,2 Section 2. 341.08 (2) (h) of the statutes is created to read:

AB455,3,11 341.08 (2) (h) If the application is for registration of a reconstructed, replica, or street modified vehicle that meets the criteria under s. 341.268 (2m) (a), a space for the applicant to state that he or she wishes to display historical plates on the vehicle as provided in s. 341.268 (2m) (a) and to identify the registration number displayed on these historical plates. The department may also require the applicant to demonstrate that the registration number on these plates is identical to the registration number stated in the application. The applicant may satisfy this requirement by any means approved by the department.

AB455,3 Section 3. 341.12 (3) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB455,3,14 341.12 (3) (intro.) All registration plates issued by the department shall have displayed upon them the following:

AB455,4 Section 4. 341.15 (1r) of the statutes is created to read:

AB455,3,20 341.15 (1r) Whenever a person displays historical plates on a special interest vehicle as provided in s. 341.266 (2m) (a), or a reconstructed, replica, or street modified vehicle as provided in s. 341.268 (2m) (a), one plate shall be attached to the front and one to the rear of the vehicle. If the vehicle is a motorcycle, one plate shall be attached to the rear of the vehicle.

AB455,5 Section 5. 341.15 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB455,4,2 341.15 (3) (a) A person who operates a vehicle for which a current registration plate, insert tag, decal or other evidence of registration has been issued without such plate, tag, decal or other evidence of registration being attached to the vehicle, except when such vehicle is being operated pursuant to a temporary operation permit or plate or displays a historical plate under s. 341.265 (1m) or, 341.266 (2) (dm) or (2m) (a), or 341.268 (2m) (a);

AB455,6 Section 6. 341.15 (3) (am) of the statutes is created to read:

AB455,4,6 341.15 (3) (am) A person who responds affirmatively under s. 341.08 (2) (g) or (h) and who operates the vehicle without either the historical plates or the current registration plates issued by the department attached.

AB455,7 Section 7. 341.266 (2) (dm) 1. (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB455,4,11 341.266 (2) (dm) 1. (intro.) Notwithstanding s. 341.15 (1), and subject to subd. 2., a person who registers under par. (a) a special interest vehicle manufactured before 1979 1985 may furnish and display on the vehicle one or 2 historical plates from or representing the model year of the vehicle if all of the following apply:

AB455,8 Section 8. 341.266 (2m) of the statutes is created to read:

AB455,4,15 341.266 (2m) (a) Notwithstanding s. 341.15 (1), a person who registers under sub. (2) a special interest vehicle manufactured before 1985 may furnish and display on the vehicle 2 historical plates if all of the following apply:

AB455,4,19 1. The historical plates are original Wisconsin plates that are not special plates or personalized plates, that were issued for a vehicle of the same type as the special interest vehicle, and that have a design that was issued during a time period that includes the model year of the special interest vehicle.

AB455,4,21 2. Both historical plates display the same registration number, which matches the registration number provided to the department under s. 341.08 (2) (g).

AB455,4,25 3. The registration number displayed on the historical plates is legible, is not identical to that of any other vehicle registered with the department within the 2 years immediately preceding the registration application, and is not reserved at the time of the registration application.

AB455,5,3 4. If the department has requested verification of the registration number on the historical plates as provided in s. 341.08 (2) (g), the person has complied with this request.

AB455,5,6 5. The registration, and any plate issued by the department for the vehicle under sub. (2) (c) that is not displayed on the vehicle, is simultaneously carried in or, with respect to a motorcycle, with the vehicle and is available for inspection.

AB455,5,12 (b) If an applicant has responded affirmatively under s. 341.08 (2) (g) and the criteria under par. (a) are satisfied, the department shall issue the special registration plates for the vehicle under sub. (2) and record in its motor vehicle registration database the registration number provided to the department for the vehicle under s. 341.08 (2) (g). In addition to the fees in sub. (2) (b) and (3), there shall be a processing fee of $15.

AB455,9 Section 9. 341.268 (2m) of the statutes is created to read:

AB455,5,18 341.268 (2m) (a) Notwithstanding s. 341.15 (1), a person who registers under sub. (2) a reconstructed vehicle assembled from a vehicle manufactured before 1985, a replica vehicle that is a reproduction of a vehicle manufactured before 1985, or a street modified vehicle manufactured before 1985 may furnish and display on the vehicle 2 historical plates if all of the following apply:

AB455,5,23 1. The historical plates are original Wisconsin plates that are not special plates or personalized plates, that were issued for a vehicle of the same type as the reconstructed, replica, or street modified vehicle, and that have a design that was issued during a time period that includes the model year of the reconstructed, replica, or street modified vehicle.

AB455,5,25 2. Both historical plates display the same registration number, which matches the registration number provided to the department under s. 341.08 (2) (h).

AB455,6,4 3. The registration number displayed on the historical plates is legible, is not identical to that of any other vehicle registered with the department within the 2 years immediately preceding the registration application, and is not reserved at the time of the registration application.

AB455,6,7 4. If the department has requested verification of the registration number on the historical plates as provided in s. 341.08 (2) (h), the person has complied with this request.

AB455,6,10 5. The registration, and any plate issued by the department for the vehicle under sub. (2) (c) that is not displayed on the vehicle, is simultaneously carried in or, with respect to a motorcycle, with the vehicle and is available for inspection.

AB455,6,16 (b) If an applicant has responded affirmatively under s. 341.08 (2) (h) and the criteria under par. (a) are satisfied, the department shall issue the special registration plates for the vehicle under sub. (2) and record in its motor vehicle registration database the registration number provided to the department for the vehicle under s. 341.08 (2) (h). In addition to the fees in sub. (2) (b) and (3), there shall be a processing fee of $15.

AB455,10 Section 10. Initial applicability.

AB455,6,19 (1) This act first applies to registration applications received by the department of transportation on the effective date of this subsection.

AB455,11 Section 11. Effective date.

AB455,6,22 (1) This act takes effect on the first day of the 12th month beginning after publication.

AB455,6,23 (End)