Amendment ASA1-AB575

LRBs0319/2

PJH:kjf:jf

2003 - 2004 LEGISLATURE

ASSEMBLY SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT 1, TO 2003 ASSEMBLY BILL 575

January 27, 2004 - Offered by Representatives Wasserman and Ainsworth.

AB575-ASA1,1,3 An Act to amend 343.16 (3) (a), 343.21 (2) (a) and 343.25 (7); and to create 343.16 (3) (am) of the statutes; relating to: operator's license requirements for certain drivers and for certain drivers' tests.

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

AB575-ASA1, s. 1 Section 1. 343.16 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB575-ASA1,2,10 343.16 (3) (a) The Except as provided in par. (am), the department shall examine every applicant for the renewal of an operator's license once every 8 years and shall examine every person who holds an operator's license and who is at least 75 years of age but less than 85 years of age once every 3 years. The department may institute a method of selecting the date of renewal so that such examination shall be required for each applicant for renewal of a license to gain a uniform rate of examinations. The examination shall consist of a test of eyesight. The department shall make provisions for giving such examinations at examining stations in each county to all applicants for an operator's license. The person to be examined shall appear at the examining station nearest the person's place of residence or at such time and place as the department designates in answer to an applicant's request. In lieu of examination, the applicant may present or mail to the department a report of examination of the applicant's eyesight by an ophthalmologist, optometrist or physician licensed to practice medicine. The report shall be based on an examination made not more than 3 months prior to the date it is submitted. The report shall be on a form furnished and in the form required by the department. The department shall decide whether, in each case, the eyesight reported is sufficient to meet the current eyesight standards.

AB575-ASA1, s. 2 Section 2. 343.16 (3) (am) of the statutes is created to read:

AB575-ASA1,2,18 343.16 (3) (am) The department shall examine every person who holds an operator's license and who is at least 85 years of age every 2 years. The department may institute a method of selecting the date of renewal so that such examination shall be required for each applicant for renewal of a license to gain a uniform rate of examinations. The examination shall consist of a test of eyesight that meets the requirements of par. (a) and a knowledge test that meets the requirements of sub. (1).

AB575-ASA1, s. 3 Section 3. 343.21 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB575-ASA1,3,6 343.21 (2) (a) In addition to the fees set under sub. (1), any applicant whose application for a permit, license, upgrade or endorsement, taken together with the applicant's currently valid license, if any, requires the department to administer a driving skills test of the applicant's ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motor vehicle shall pay to the department an examination fee of $20 for an examination in a commercial motor vehicle other than a school bus and $15 for an examination in any other vehicle. Payment of the examination fee entitles the applicant to not more than 3 tests of the applicant's ability to exercise reasonable control in the operation of a motor vehicle. If the applicant does not qualify for issuance of a license, upgraded license or endorsement in 3 such tests, then a 2nd examination fee in the same amount shall be paid, which payment entitles the applicant to not more than 3 additional tests.

AB575-ASA1, s. 4 Section 4. 343.25 (7) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB575-ASA1,3,12 343.25 (7) When a person who has been ordered or is required by s. 343.16 (3) (a) or (am) to submit to an examination under s. 343.16 or to appear for either group or individual counseling or examination under s. 343.32 (2) fails or refuses to do so. Such cancellation shall continue until compliance with the order has been made or the order is rescinded.

AB575-ASA1, s. 5 Section 5. Nonstatutory provisions.

AB575-ASA1,3,18 (1) The department of transportation shall issue a report on the effects of this act on highway safety including the impact on the affected age group's crash rates, violation rates, loss of driving privileges, and related issues. No later than 5 years from the effective date of this subsection, the department shall submit the report to the legislature.

AB575-ASA1,3,25 (2) The department of transportation shall appoint an advisory council to study the effects of aging and driving ability, identify existing transportation alternatives throughout the state and examine additional transportation alternatives for older drivers. Members of the council shall be comprised of representatives of organizations involved with issues facing older drivers, providers of services to senior citizens, and research entities. No later than 2 years after the effective date of this subsection, the department shall submit the study to the legislature.

AB575-ASA1, s. 6 Section 6. Initial applicability.

AB575-ASA1,4,3 (1) This act first applies to persons who submit an application for an original license or a renewal on the first day of the 10th month beginning after publication.

AB575-ASA1, s. 7 Section 7. Effective date.

AB575-ASA1,4,7 (1) The treatment of sections 343.16 (3) (a), 343.16 (3) (am), 343.21 (2) (a), and 343.25 (7) of the statutes takes effect on the first day of the 10th month beginning after publication.

AB575-ASA1,4,8 (End)