AB882: Bill Text

AB882, s. 36 Section 36 . 341.28 (2) (c) of the statutes is repealed.

Note: Sections 36 to 38, 40 and 41 repeal provisions that prohibit transfer of plates or registration credit to a vehicle if it has already been involved in a transfer or credit within the last 12 months. According to DOT, this prohibition was originally established to deter the abuse of license plate transfer provisions, but DOT has found this type of abuse to be rare. Therefore, the prohibition is no longer needed.

AB882, s. 37 Section 37. 341.28 (4) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,18,9 341.28 (4) (c) The automobile is owned by a person who has been in active military service and less than 12 months of nonoperation have elapsed since the end of the period for which the automobile was previously registered, provided the applicant files with the department a statement of such nonoperation ; or.

AB882, s. 38 Section 38 . 341.28 (4) (d) of the statutes is repealed.

AB882, s. 39 Section 39 . 341.308 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,18,19 341.308 (2) The registration of trailers under this section shall be valid for a 6-year period and shall expire on June 30. Upon receipt of an application and the initial registration fees under sub. (3), the department shall issue a registration plate for each trailer. The registration of trailers added to the fleet during the 6-year registration period shall expire on the expiration date of the original fleet registration. If trailers are removed from the fleet during the 6-year registration period, the fleet owner shall dispose of the plates in the manner prescribed by the department.

Note: See the Note following Section 5.

AB882, s. 40 Section 40 . 341.31 (1) (b) 7. of the statutes is repealed.

AB882, s. 41 Section 41 . 341.31 (6) of the statutes is repealed.

AB882, s. 42 Section 42 . 341.35 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,19,9 341.35 (1) Annual registration fee. In this section "municipality" means a town, village or city and "motor vehicle" means an automobile or station wagon or motor truck registered under s. 341.25 (1) (c) at a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds. The governing body of a municipality or county may enact an ordinance imposing an annual flat municipal or county registration fee on all motor vehicles registered in this state which are customarily kept in the municipality or county. A registration fee imposed under this section shall be in addition to state registration fees.

AB882, s. 43 Section 43 . 341.405 (1m) of the statutes is created to read:

AB882,19,13 341.405 (1m) The department may register semitrailers under the international registration plan for an annual fee of $50. The department shall issue a base plate for each semitrailer registered under this subsection.

AB882, s. 44 Section 44 . 342.06 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,19,18 342.06 (1) (b) A description of the vehicle, including make, model, identification number and any other information or documentation that the department may reasonably require for proper identification of the vehicle or for determination of the mileage of the vehicle as disclosed by prior transferors.

Note: Sections 44 and 45 eliminate the requirement that the vehicle title include a description of the model of the vehicle. According to DOT, the model name included on the title is currently abbreviated to 3 characters, and the system of abbreviation used by DOT causes confusion among vehicle title holders. According to DOT, because the vehicle model information is stored in DOT's database and is available through on-line inquiry, it is not necessary to show this information on the title document.

AB882, s. 45 Section 45 . 342.10 (1) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,19,21 342.10 (1) (d) A description of the vehicle, including make, model and identification number.

AB882, s. 46 Section 46 . 342.14 (9) of the statutes is repealed.

Note: Section 46 repeals the $4 transfer fee for the transfer of registration or credits for registration to a vehicle currently titled in the name of the applicant.

AB882, s. 47 Section 47 . 342.15 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,20,8 342.15 (4) (a) If the vehicle being transferred is a motorcycle or an automobile or station wagon registered under the monthly series system or a motor home or a motor truck, dual purpose motor home or dual purpose farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds or a farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 12,000 pounds, the owner shall remove the registration plates and retain and preserve them for use on any other vehicle of the same type and gross weight which may subsequently be registered in his or her name.

AB882, s. 48 Section 48 . 342.15 (4) (a) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act 27, is amended to read:

AB882,20,17 342.15 (4) (a) If the vehicle being transferred is a motorcycle or an automobile or station wagon registered under s. 341.27 or a motor home or a motor truck, dual purpose motor home or dual purpose farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds or a farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 12,000 pounds, the owner shall remove the registration plates and retain and preserve them for use on any other vehicle of the same type and gross weight which may subsequently be registered in his or her name.

AB882, s. 49 Section 49 . 342.30 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,21,13 342.30 (2) An Except as provided in this subsection, an identification number assigned by the department to a mobile home, trailer or semitrailer shall be stamped upon the frame in a readily visible location. An identification number assigned to a motor vehicle manufactured prior to January 1, 1969, shall be permanently affixed to a location on the left front pillar. The vehicle identification number for motor vehicles manufactured after January 1, 1969, shall be permanently affixed upon either a part of the vehicle that is not designed to be removed except for repair, or a separate plate which is permanently affixed to such part. The vehicle identification number shall be located inside the passenger compartment and shall be readable, without moving any part of the vehicle, through the vehicle glazing under daylight lighting conditions by an observer having 20/20 vision (Snellen) whose eyepoint is located outside the vehicle adjacent to the left windshield pillar that is readily visible when observed from outside the vehicle, as specified by the department by rule. Identification numbers assigned for cycles shall be stamped on the left side, near the top of the engine casting just below the cylinder barrel. Such stamping or affixing shall be done under the supervision of a dealer, distributor or manufacturer registered under s. 341.51 or under the supervision of a peace officer. The person supervising the stamping or affixing shall make a report thereof to the department.

Note: Section 49 deletes the requirement that the vehicle identification number be permanently affixed to specific vehicle locations, and instead provides that it shall be permanently affixed to a readily visible location on the vehicle when observed from outside the vehicle, as specified by the department by rule. According to DOT, it is not always practicable to place the vehicle identification number inside the windshield, for example, without removing the windshield. DOT has already established a policy, which allows vehicle identification numbers to be placed in other visible locations. However, some vehicle owners have received citations for improper placement of the identification number because the statute still provides for specific locations. Therefore, DOT states that this change will be more workable and will eliminate confusion that currently exists among law enforcement personnel.

AB882, s. 50 Section 50 . 342.34 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,22,6 342.34 (1) (c) If the vehicle is a motorcycle or an automobile or station wagon registered under the monthly series system or a motor home or a motor truck, dual purpose motor home or dual purpose farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds or a farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 12,000 pounds, the owner shall remove the registration plates and retain and preserve them for use on any other vehicle of the same type which may subsequently be registered in his or her name. If the vehicle is not a motorcycle or an automobile or station wagon registered under the monthly series system, or a motor home or a motor truck, dual purpose motor home or dual purpose farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds or a farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 12,000 pounds, he or she shall remove and destroy the plates.

AB882, s. 51 Section 51 . 342.34 (1) (c) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act 27, is amended to read:

AB882,22,19 342.34 (1) (c) If the vehicle is a motorcycle or an automobile or station wagon registered under s. 341.27 or a motor home or a motor truck, dual purpose motor home or dual purpose farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds or a farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 12,000 pounds, the owner shall remove the registration plates and retain and preserve them for use on any other vehicle of the same type which may subsequently be registered in his or her name. If the vehicle is not a motorcycle or an automobile or station wagon registered under s. 341.27, or a motor home or a motor truck, dual purpose motor home or dual purpose farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds or a farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 12,000 pounds, he or she shall remove and destroy the plates.

AB882, s. 52 Section 52 . 344.25 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,23,5 344.25 (2) If the judgment creditor consents in writing in such form as the secretary may prescribe that the judgment debtor be allowed to retain or reinstate the operating privilege and registrations, the same may be allowed by the secretary for 6 months from the date of such consent and thereafter until such consent is revoked in writing, notwithstanding default in the payment of such judgment or of any instalments thereof as prescribed in s. 344.27, provided the judgment debtor furnishes proof of financial responsibility for the future and maintains such proof at all times when such license and registrations are in effect during a period of 3 years following the entry of the judgment date on which the agreement is filed with the secretary.

Note: Sections 52 to 54 change the requirements for the filing of proof of financial responsibility for the future for the reinstatement of an operating privilege which is revoked due to a judgment for damages having been entered against a motor vehicle operator. Currently, filing proof of financial responsibility for damage judgment revocations is required for 3 years following the entry of the judgment. According to DOT, these changes will make the proof of financial responsibility filing requirement for damage judgment revocations consistent with all other operating privilege revocations and will help ensure that the person is financially responsible prior to reinstatement of the driving privilege.

AB882, s. 53 Section 53. 344.26 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,23,15 344.26 (1) Subject to the exceptions stated in ss. 344.25 (2) and 344.27 (2), any operating privilege or registration revoked pursuant to s. 344.25 shall remain revoked until every judgment mentioned in s. 344.25 is stayed, satisfied or discharged and, unless 3 years have elapsed since the date of entry of the judgment which was the cause for revocation on which the judgment was stayed, satisfied or discharged, until the person whose operating privilege and registration was revoked furnishes proof of financial responsibility for the future and maintains such proof at all times during such 3-year period when the operating privilege or registration is in effect.

AB882, s. 54 Section 54 . 344.27 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,24,3 344.27 (2) The secretary shall not revoke the operating privilege or registration and shall restore any operating privilege or registration revoked following nonpayment of a judgment when the judgment debtor obtains such order permitting the payment of the judgment in instalments and, unless 3 years have elapsed since the entry of judgment date on which the order permitting the payment of the judgment in instalments is filed with the secretary, furnishes and maintains proof of financial responsibility for the future.

AB882, s. 55 Section 55 . 344.31 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,24,14 344.31 Certification of insurance as proof. Proof of financial responsibility for the future may be furnished by filing with the secretary the written certification of any insurer duly authorized to do business in this state that there is in effect a motor vehicle liability policy for the benefit of the person required to furnish proof of financial responsibility or by transmitting such certification to the secretary by another means approved by the secretary. Such certification shall give the effective date of such motor vehicle liability policy, which date shall be the same as the effective date of the certification and shall certify coverage for any motor vehicle operated by the named insured or coverage for any motor vehicle owned by the named insured.

Note: Sections 55 and 56 amend current law regarding the required filing of proof of financial responsibility for the future, to require vehicle owners, and not just vehicle operators, to file this proof. 1991 Wisconsin Act 269 made significant changes to Wisconsin's safety responsibility law. One of these changes required vehicle owners to file proof of financial responsibility before reinstatement of revoked driving privileges. These changes were not carried over to the statutes requiring the filing of proof of financial responsibility for the future, and these Sections make these changes.

AB882, s. 56 Section 56 . 344.33 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,25,6 344.33 (2) Motor vehicle liability policy. A motor vehicle policy of liability insurance shall insure the person named therein using any motor vehicle with the express or implied permission of the owner, or shall insure all motor vehicles owned by the named insured and all persons using such motor vehicles with the express or implied permission of the named insured, against loss from the liability imposed by law for damages arising out of the maintenance or use of the motor vehicle within the United States of America or the Dominion of Canada, subject to the limits exclusive of interest and costs, with respect to each such motor vehicle as follows: $25,000 because of bodily injury to or death of one person in any one accident and, subject to such limit for one person, $50,000 because of bodily injury to or death of 2 or more persons in any one accident, and $10,000 because of injury to or destruction of property of others in any one accident.

AB882, s. 57 Section 57 . 346.195 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,25,9 346.195 (2) (c) Identification of the vehicle as an automobile, station wagon, motor truck, motor bus, motorcycle or other type of vehicle.

AB882, s. 58 Section 58. 346.205 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,25,12 346.205 (2) (c) Identification of the vehicle as an automobile, station wagon, motor truck, motor bus, motorcycle or other type of vehicle.

AB882, s. 59 Section 59. 346.457 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,25,15 346.457 (2) (c) Identification of the vehicle as an automobile, station wagon, motor truck, motor bus, motorcycle or other type of vehicle.

AB882, s. 60 Section 60. 346.465 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,25,18 346.465 (2) (c) Identification of the vehicle as an automobile, station wagon, motor truck, motor bus, motorcycle or other type of vehicle.

AB882, s. 61 Section 61. 346.485 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,25,21 346.485 (2) (c) Identification of the vehicle as an automobile, station wagon, motor truck, motor bus, motorcycle or other type of vehicle.

AB882, s. 62 Section 62. 346.505 (3) (b) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,25,24 346.505 (3) (b) 3. Identification of the vehicle as an automobile, station wagon, motor truck, motor bus, motorcycle or other type of vehicle.

AB882, s. 63 Section 63 . 346.945 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,26,2 346.945 (2) (c) Identification of the motor vehicle as an automobile, station wagon, motor truck, motor bus, motorcycle or other type of vehicle.

AB882, s. 64 Section 64 . 348.25 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,26,10 348.25 (6) The officer or agency authorized by s. 348.26 or 348.27 to issue permits may require the permittee to file proof satisfactory to such officer or agency that personal injury and property damage insurance in an amount considered sufficient by such officer or agency will be in force to cover any claim for bodily injury or property damage which may occur in connection with operation under the permit and for which the permittee is legally responsible. Proof of such insurance shall be required in the case of annual permits for transportation of oversize mobile homes.

Note: Section 64 deletes the requirement that proof of insurance for the transportation of oversized mobile homes be filed with DOT before a multiple trip permit may be obtained. According to DOT, this requirement should be eliminated because DOT does not require other types of multiple trip permittees to file proof of insurance; therefore, it should not be required in this case.

AB882, s. 65 Section 65 . 422.413 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB882,26,17 422.413 (2) In the case of a transaction for an agricultural purpose, a writing evidencing a consumer credit transaction may provide for the creditor's recovery of expenses of taking and holding collateral and in the case of collateral other than automobiles, as defined in s. 340.01 (4), station wagons, as defined in s. 340.01 (61), and trucks other than farm trucks, as defined in s. 340.01 (18), for the expenses of preparing the collateral for sale.

AB882, s. 9348 Section 9348. Initial applicability; transportation.

AB882,26,21 (1) Proof of financial responsibility. The treatment of sections 344.25 (2), 344.26 (1) and 344.27 (2) of the statutes first applies to revocations occurring on the effective date of this subsection.

AB882,27,3 (2) Vehicle identification numbers. The treatment of section 342.30 (2) of the statutes first applies to identification numbers affixed on the effective date of this subsection.

AB882,27,5 (3) Oversize mobile home permits. The treatment of section 348.25 (6) of the statutes first applies to permits applied for on the effective date of this subsection.

AB882, s. 9448 Section 9448. Effective dates; transportation. This act takes effect on the day after publication, except as follows:

AB882,27,9 (1) Station wagons. The treatment of sections 342.15 (4) (a) (by Section 48) and 342.34 (1) (c) (by Section 51 ) of the statutes takes effect on January 1, 1999.

AB882,27,11 (2) Temporary operation plates. The treatment of section 341.09 (2m) (a) 1. b. and 2. takes effect on September 1, 1998.

AB882,27,14 (3) Proof of financial responsibility. The treatment of sections 344.25 (2), 344.26 (1) and 344.27 (2) of the statutes and Section 9348 (1) take effect on the first day of the 4th month beginning after publication.

AB882,27,17 (4) Vehicle identification numbers. The treatment of section 342.30 (2) of the statutes and Section 9348 (2 ) of this act take effect on the first day of the 4th month beginning after publication.

AB882,27,20 (5) Replacement plates. The repeal and recreation of sections 341.14 (6m) (b) and (6r) (g), 341.145 (5) and 341.27 (3) (a) of the statutes takes effect on January 1, 1999.

AB882,27,21 (End)