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:
AB891, s. 1 1Section 1. 20.395 (2) (gj) of the statutes is created to read:
AB891,3,4
120.395 (2) (gj) Railroad crossing protection installation and maintenance, state
2funds.
All moneys received from railroad crossing improvement assessments
3required under ss. 346.177 and 346.495, for the purpose of railroad crossing
4protection installation and maintenance under s. 195.28 (2) and (3).
AB891, s. 2 5Section 2. 25.40 (1) (ij) of the statutes is created to read:
AB891,3,86 25.40 (1) (ij) All moneys forwarded by county treasurers from railroad crossing
7improvement assessments required under ss. 346.177 and 346.495, as provided in
8s. 59.25 (3) (f) 2.
AB891, s. 3 9Section 3. 59.25 (3) (f) 2. of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act 27,
10section 2160p, is amended to read:
AB891,4,1111 59.25 (3) (f) 2. For all court imposed fines and forfeitures required by law to be
12deposited in the state treasury, the amounts required by s. 165.87 for the penalty
13assessment surcharge, the amounts required by s. 165.755 for the crime laboratories
14and drug law enforcement assessment, the amounts required by s. 167.31 (5) for the
15weapons assessment, the amounts required by s. 973.045 for the crime victim and
16witness assistance surcharge, the amounts required by s. 938.34 (8d) for the
17delinquency victim and witness assistance surcharge, the amounts required by s.
18973.046 for the deoxyribonucleic acid analysis surcharge, the amounts required by
19s. 961.41 (5) for the drug abuse program improvement surcharge, the amounts
20authorized by s. 971.37 (1m) (c) 1. or required by s. 973.055 (1) for the domestic abuse
21assessment, the amounts required by s. 253.06 (4) (c) for the enforcement assessment
22under the supplemental food program for women, infants and children, the amounts
23required by ss. 346.177 and 346.495 for the railroad crossing improvement
24assessment,
the amounts required by s. 346.655 (2) (a) and (b) for the driver
25improvement surcharge, the amounts required by s. 102.85 (4) for the uninsured

1employer assessment, the amounts required by s. 299.93 for the environmental
2assessment, the amounts required by s. 29.9965 for the wild animal protection
3assessment, the amounts required by s. 29.997 for the natural resources assessment
4surcharge, the amounts required by s. 29.9967 for the fishing shelter removal
5assessment, the amounts required by s. 350.115 for the snowmobile registration
6restitution payment and the amounts required by s. 29.998 for natural resources
7restitution payments, transmit to the state treasurer a statement of all moneys
8required by law to be paid on the actions entered during the preceding month on or
9before the first day of the next succeeding month, certified by the county treasurer's
10personal signature affixed or attached thereto, and at the same time pay to the state
11treasurer the amount thereof.
AB891, s. 4 12Section 4. 59.40 (2) (m) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act 27,
13section 2163p, is amended to read:
AB891,5,1414 59.40 (2) (m) Pay monthly to the treasurer for the use of the state the state's
15percentage of the fees required to be paid on each civil action, criminal action and
16special proceeding filed during the preceding month and pay monthly to the
17treasurer for the use of the state the percentage of court imposed fines and forfeitures
18required by law to be deposited in the state treasury, the amounts required by s.
19165.87 (2) (b) for the penalty assessment surcharge, the amounts required by s.
20165.755 for the crime laboratories and drug law enforcement assessment, the
21amounts required by s. 167.31 (5) for the weapons assessment, the amounts required
22by s. 973.045 for the crime victim and witness assistance surcharge, the amounts
23required by s. 938.34 (8d) for the delinquency victim and witness assistance
24surcharge, the amounts required by s. 973.046 for the deoxyribonucleic acid analysis
25surcharge, the amounts required by s. 961.41 (5) for the drug abuse program

1improvement surcharge, the amounts authorized by s. 971.37 (1m) (c) 1. or required
2by s. 973.055 for the domestic abuse assessment surcharge, the amounts required by
3s. 253.06 (4) (c) for the enforcement assessment under the supplemental food
4program for women, infants and children, the amounts required by ss. 346.177 and
5346.495 for the railroad crossing improvement assessment,
the amounts required by
6s. 346.655 for the driver improvement surcharge, the amounts required by s. 102.85
7(4) for the uninsured employer assessment, the amounts required by s. 299.93 for the
8environmental assessment, the amounts required under s. 29.9965 for the wild
9animal protection assessment, the amounts required under s. 29.997 (1) (d) for the
10natural resources assessment surcharge, the amounts required by s. 29.9967 for the
11fishing shelter removal assessment, the amounts required by s. 350.115 for the
12snowmobile registration restitution payment and the amounts required under s.
1329.998 (1) (d) for the natural resources restitution payments. The payments shall
14be made by the 15th day of the month following receipt thereof.
AB891, s. 5 15Section 5. 195.28 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB891,5,1916 195.28 (2) Installation costs. The cost of any signal or other crossing
17protection device which is ordered installed under sub. (1) and the cost of installing
18any such device shall be paid by the department from the appropriations under s.
1920.395 (2) (gj), (gr) and (gx).
AB891, s. 6 20Section 6. 195.28 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB891,6,721 195.28 (3) Maintenance costs. Except as otherwise provided in this
22subsection, the cost of maintaining crossing protection devices ordered under sub. (1)
23shall be the responsibility of the railroad or railroad historical society. Any railroad
24company or railroad historical society that incurs expenses for maintenance of
25signals or other safety devices may file a claim for reimbursement with the

1department regardless of the date of installation of the signals or devices. At the
2close of each fiscal year the department shall reimburse claimants under this
3subsection for 50% of the costs, as determined by the office, incurred for maintenance
4of railroad crossing protection devices from the appropriation appropriations under
5s. 20.395 (2) (gj) and (gq). If the amount in the appropriation appropriations under
6s. 20.395 (2) (gj) and (gq) is not adequate to fund maintenance reimbursement under
7this subsection, the amount shall be prorated in the manner determined by the office.
AB891, s. 7 8Section 7. 345.26 (1) (b) 1. of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act
927
, is amended to read:
AB891,6,1810 345.26 (1) (b) 1. If the person makes a deposit for a violation of a traffic
11regulation, the person need not appear in court at the time fixed in the citation, and
12the person will be deemed to have tendered a plea of no contest and submitted to a
13forfeiture and a penalty assessment, if required by s. 165.87, a jail assessment, if
14required by s. 302.46 (1), a railroad crossing improvement assessment, if required
15by s. 346.177 or 346.495,
and a crime laboratories and drug law enforcement
16assessment, if required by s. 165.755, plus any applicable fees prescribed in ch. 814,
17not to exceed the amount of the deposit that the court may accept as provided in s.
18345.37; and
AB891, s. 8 19Section 8. 345.26 (2) (b) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act 27,
20is amended to read:
AB891,6,2521 345.26 (2) (b) In addition to the amount in par. (a), the deposit shall include
22court costs, including any applicable fees prescribed in ch. 814, any applicable
23penalty assessment, any applicable jail assessment, any applicable railroad crossing
24improvement assessment
and any applicable crime laboratories and drug law
25enforcement assessment.
AB891, s. 9
1Section 9. 345.36 (2) (b) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act 27,
2is amended to read:
AB891,7,153 345.36 (2) (b) Deem the nonappearance a plea of no contest and enter judgment
4accordingly. If the defendant has posted bond for appearance at that date, the court
5may also order the bond forfeited. The court shall promptly mail a copy of the
6judgment to the defendant. The judgment shall allow not less than 20 days from the
7date thereof for payment of any forfeiture, penalty assessment, jail assessment,
8railroad crossing improvement assessment, crime laboratories and drug law
9enforcement assessment and costs imposed. If the defendant moves to open the
10judgment within 20 days after the date set for trial, and shows to the satisfaction of
11the court that the failure to appear was due to mistake, inadvertence, surprise or
12excusable neglect, the court shall open the judgment, reinstate the not guilty plea
13and set a new trial date. The court may impose costs under s. 814.07. The court shall
14immediately notify the department to delete the record of conviction based upon the
15original judgment.
AB891, s. 10 16Section 10. 345.37 (1) (b) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act 27,
17is amended to read:
AB891,8,718 345.37 (1) (b) Deem the nonappearance a plea of no contest and enter judgment
19accordingly. If the defendant has posted bond for appearance at that date, the court
20may also order the bond forfeited. The court shall promptly mail a copy or notice of
21the judgment to the defendant. The judgment shall allow not less than 20 days from
22the date thereof for payment of any forfeiture, penalty assessment, railroad crossing
23improvement assessment,
crime laboratories and drug law enforcement assessment
24and costs imposed. If the defendant moves to open the judgment within 6 months
25after the court appearance date fixed in the citation, and shows to the satisfaction

1of the court that the failure to appear was due to mistake, inadvertence, surprise or
2excusable neglect, the court shall open the judgment, accept a not guilty plea and set
3a trial date. The court may impose costs under s. 814.07. The court shall
4immediately notify the department to delete the record of conviction based upon the
5original judgment. If the offense involved is a nonmoving traffic violation and the
6defendant is subject to s. 345.28 (5) (c), a default judgment may be entered and
7opened as provided in s. 345.28 (5) (c).
AB891, s. 11 8Section 11. 345.37 (2) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act 27,
9is amended to read:
AB891,9,210 345.37 (2) If the defendant has made a deposit under s. 345.26, the citation may
11serve as the initial pleading and the defendant shall be deemed to have tendered a
12plea of no contest and submitted to a forfeiture and a penalty assessment, if required
13by s. 165.87, a jail assessment, if required by s. 302.46 (1), a railroad crossing
14improvement assessment, if required by s. 346.177 or 346.495,
and a crime
15laboratories and drug law enforcement assessment, if required by s. 165.755, plus
16costs, including any applicable fees prescribed in ch. 814, not exceeding the amount
17of the deposit. The court may either accept the plea of no contest and enter judgment
18accordingly, or reject the plea and issue a summons under ch. 968. If the defendant
19fails to appear in response to the summons, the court shall issue a warrant under ch.
20968. If the court accepts the plea of no contest, the defendant may move within 6
21months after the date set for the appearance to withdraw the plea of no contest, open
22the judgment and enter a plea of not guilty upon a showing to the satisfaction of the
23court that the failure to appear was due to mistake, inadvertence, surprise or
24excusable neglect. If on reopening the defendant is found not guilty, the court shall

1immediately notify the department to delete the record of conviction based on the
2original proceeding and shall order the defendant's deposit returned.
AB891, s. 12 3Section 12. 345.37 (5) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act 27,
4is amended to read:
AB891,9,115 345.37 (5) Within 5 working days after forfeiture of deposit or entry of default
6judgment, the official receiving the forfeiture, the penalty assessment, if required by
7s. 165.87, the jail assessment, if required by s. 302.46 (1), the railroad crossing
8improvement assessment, if required by s. 346.177 or 346.495,
and the crime
9laboratories and drug law enforcement assessment, if required by s. 165.755, shall
10forward to the department a certification of the entry of default judgment or a
11judgment of forfeiture.
AB891, s. 13 12Section 13. 345.47 (1) (intro.) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin
13Act 27
, is amended to read:
AB891,9,2114 345.47 (1) (intro.) If the defendant is found guilty, the court may enter
15judgment against the defendant for a monetary amount not to exceed the maximum
16forfeiture, penalty assessment, if required by s. 165.87, the jail assessment, if
17required by s. 302.46 (1), the railroad crossing improvement assessment, if required
18by s. 346.177 or 346.495,
and the crime laboratories and drug law enforcement
19assessment, if required by s. 165.755, provided for the violation and for costs under
20s. 345.53 and, in addition, may suspend or revoke his or her operating privilege under
21s. 343.30. If the judgment is not paid, the court shall order:
AB891, s. 14 22Section 14. 345.47 (1) (b) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act 27,
23is amended to read:
AB891,9,2524 345.47 (1) (b) In lieu of imprisonment and in addition to any other suspension
25or revocation, that the defendant's operating privilege be suspended for 30 days or

1until the person pays the forfeiture, the penalty assessment, if required by s. 165.87,
2the jail assessment, if required by s. 302.46 (1), the railroad crossing improvement
3assessment, if required by s. 346.177 or 346.495,
and the crime laboratories and drug
4law enforcement assessment, if required by s. 165.755, but not to exceed 5 years.
5Suspension under this paragraph shall not affect the power of the court to suspend
6or revoke under s. 343.30 or the power of the secretary to suspend or revoke the
7operating privilege.
AB891, s. 15 8Section 15. 345.47 (1) (c) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act 27,
9is amended to read:
AB891,10,2410 345.47 (1) (c) If a court or judge suspends an operating privilege under this
11section, the court or judge shall immediately take possession of the suspended license
12and shall forward it to the department together with the notice of suspension, which
13shall clearly state that the suspension was for failure to pay a forfeiture, a penalty
14assessment, if required by s. 165.87, a jail assessment, if required by s. 302.46 (1),
15a railroad crossing improvement assessment, if required by s. 346.177 or 346.495,
16and a crime laboratories and drug law enforcement assessment, if required by s.
17165.755, imposed by the court. The notice of suspension and the suspended license,
18if it is available, shall be forwarded to the department within 48 hours after the order
19of suspension. If the forfeiture, penalty assessment, jail assessment , railroad
20crossing improvement assessment
and crime laboratories and drug law enforcement
21assessment are paid during a period of suspension, the court or judge shall
22immediately notify the department. Upon receipt of the notice and payment of the
23reinstatement fee under s. 343.21 (1) (j), the department shall return the
24surrendered license.
AB891, s. 16
1Section 16. 345.47 (2) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act 27,
2is amended to read:
AB891,11,83 345.47 (2) The payment of any judgment may be suspended or deferred for not
4more than 60 days in the discretion of the court. In cases where a deposit has been
5made, any forfeitures, penalty assessments, jail assessments, railroad crossing
6improvement assessments,
crime laboratories and drug law enforcement
7assessments and costs shall be taken out of the deposit and the balance, if any,
8returned to the defendant.
AB891, s. 17 9Section 17. 345.47 (3) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act 27,
10is amended to read:
AB891,11,1511 345.47 (3) When a defendant is imprisoned for nonpayment of a forfeiture, a
12penalty assessment, a jail assessment, a railroad crossing improvement assessment
13or a crime laboratories and drug law enforcement assessment for an action brought
14by a municipality located in more than one county, any commitment to a county
15institution shall be to the county in which the action was tried.
AB891, s. 18 16Section 18. 345.49 (1) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act 27,
17is amended to read:
AB891,12,218 345.49 (1) Any person imprisoned under s. 345.47 for nonpayment of a
19forfeiture, a penalty assessment, if required by s. 165.87, a jail assessment, if
20required by s. 302.46 (1), a railroad crossing improvement assessment, if required
21by s. 346.177 or 346.495,
or a crime laboratories and drug law enforcement
22assessment, if required by s. 165.755, may, on request, be allowed to work under s.
23303.08. If the person does work, earnings shall be applied on the unpaid forfeiture,
24penalty assessment, jail assessment, railroad crossing improvement assessment or
25crime laboratories and drug law enforcement assessment after payment of personal

1board and expenses and support of personal dependents to the extent directed by the
2court.
AB891, s. 19 3Section 19. 345.49 (2) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act 27,
4is amended to read:
AB891,12,185 345.49 (2) Any person who is subject to imprisonment under s. 345.47 for
6nonpayment of a forfeiture, penalty assessment, jail assessment, railroad crossing
7improvement assessment
or crime laboratories and drug law enforcement
8assessment may be placed on probation to some person satisfactory to the court for
9not more than 90 days or until the forfeiture, penalty assessment, jail assessment,
10railroad crossing improvement assessment
or crime laboratories and drug law
11enforcement assessment is paid if that is done before expiration of the 90-day period.
12The payment of the forfeiture, penalty assessment, jail assessment , railroad crossing
13improvement assessment
or crime laboratories and drug law enforcement
14assessment during that period shall be a condition of the probation. If the forfeiture,
15penalty assessment, jail assessment, railroad crossing improvement assessment or
16crime laboratories and drug law enforcement assessment is not paid or the court
17deems that the interests of justice require, probation may be terminated and the
18defendant imprisoned as provided in sub. (1) or s. 345.47.
AB891, s. 20 19Section 20. 345.61 (2) (c) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act 27,
20is amended to read:
AB891,13,921 345.61 (2) (c) "Guaranteed arrest bond certificate" as used in this section means
22any printed card or other certificate issued by an automobile club, association or
23insurance company to any of its members or insureds, which card or certificate is
24signed by the member or insureds and contains a printed statement that the
25automobile club, association or insurance company and a surety company, or an

1insurance company authorized to transact both automobile liability insurance and
2surety business, guarantee the appearance of the persons whose signature appears
3on the card or certificate and that they will in the event of failure of the person to
4appear in court at the time of trial, pay any fine or forfeiture imposed on the person,
5including the penalty assessment required by s. 165.87, the jail assessment required
6by s. 302.46 (1), the railroad crossing improvement assessment required by s.
7346.177 or 346.495
and the crime laboratories and drug law enforcement assessment
8required by s. 165.755, in an amount not exceeding $200, or $1,000 as provided in
9sub. (1) (b).
AB891, s. 21 10Section 21. 346.17 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB891,13,1311 346.17 (2) Any person violating ss. 346.05, 346.07 (2) or (3), 346.08 to, 346.09,
12346.10 (2) to (4),
346.11, 346.13 (2) or 346.14 to 346.16 may be required to forfeit not
13less than $30 nor more than $300.
AB891, s. 22 14Section 22. 346.17 (2m) of the statutes is created to read:
AB891,13,1615 346.17 (2m) Any person violating s. 346.10 (1) shall forfeit not less than $60
16nor more than $600.
AB891, s. 23 17Section 23. 346.177 of the statutes is created to read:
AB891,13,22 18346.177 Railroad crossing improvement assessment for vehicles
19illegally passing railroad crossings. (1)
Whenever a court imposes a forfeiture
20under s. 346.17 (2m) for a violation of s. 346.10 (1), the court shall also impose a
21railroad crossing improvement assessment equal to 50% of the amount of the
22forfeiture.
AB891,13,24 23(2) If a forfeiture is suspended in whole or in part, the railroad crossing
24improvement assessment shall be reduced in proportion to the suspension.
AB891,14,6
1(3) If any deposit is made for an offense to which this section applies, the person
2making the deposit shall also deposit a sufficient amount to include the railroad
3crossing improvement assessment under this section. If the deposit is forfeited, the
4amount of the railroad crossing improvement assessment shall be transmitted to the
5state treasurer under sub. (4). If the deposit is returned, the amount of the railroad
6crossing improvement assessment shall also be returned.
AB891,14,11 7(4) The clerk of the circuit court shall collect and transmit to the county
8treasurer the railroad crossing improvement assessment as required under s. 59.40
9(2) (m). The county treasurer shall then pay the state treasurer as provided in s.
1059.25 (3) (f) 2. The state treasurer shall deposit all amounts received under this
11subsection in the transportation fund to be appropriated under s. 20.395 (2) (gj).
AB891, s. 24 12Section 24. 346.49 (1) (a) and (b) of the statutes are amended to read:
AB891,14,1613 346.49 (1) (a) Unless otherwise provided in par. (b) or (c), any person violating
14s. 346.46 (1), (2m) or (4) or 346.47 may be required to forfeit not less than $20 nor
15more than $40 for the first offense and not less than $50 nor more than $100 for the
162nd or subsequent conviction within a year.
AB891,14,1817 (b) Any operator of a bicycle violating s. 346.46 (1), (2m) or (4) may be required
18to forfeit not more than $20.
AB891, s. 25 19Section 25. 346.49 (1g) of the statutes is created to read:
AB891,14,2320 346.49 (1g) (a) Unless otherwise provided in par. (b), any person violating s.
21346.46 (3) shall forfeit not less than $40 nor more than $80 for the first offense and
22not less than $100 nor more than $200 for the 2nd or subsequent conviction within
23a year.
AB891,14,2524 (b) Any operator of a bicycle violating s. 346.46 (3) shall forfeit not more than
25$40.
AB891, s. 26
1Section 26. 346.49 (2) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 346.49 (2) and
2amended to read:
AB891,15,53 346.49 (2) Unless otherwise provided in par. (b), any Any person violating s.
4346.44, 346.45, 346.455 or 346.48 may be required to forfeit not less than $30 nor
5more than $300.
AB891, s. 27 6Section 27. 346.49 (2) (b) of the statutes is renumbered 346.49 (2m) (b) and
7amended to read:
AB891,15,98 346.49 (2m) (b) Any operator of a bicycle violating s. 346.44 may be required
9to
shall forfeit not more than $20 $40.
AB891, s. 28 10Section 28. 346.49 (2m) (a) of the statutes is created to read:
AB891,15,1211 346.49 (2m) (a) Unless otherwise provided in par. (b), any person violating s.
12346.44 or 346.45 shall forfeit not less than $60 nor more than $600.
AB891, s. 29 13Section 29. 346.495 of the statutes is created to read:
AB891,15,18 14346.495 Railroad crossing improvement assessment for vehicles
15failing to stop at railroad crossings. (1)
Whenever a court imposes a forfeiture
16under s. 346.49 (2m) for a violation of s. 346.44 or 346.45, the court shall also impose
17a railroad crossing improvement assessment equal to 50% of the amount of the
18forfeiture.
AB891,15,20 19(2) If a forfeiture is suspended in whole or in part, the railroad crossing
20improvement assessment shall be reduced in proportion to the suspension.
AB891,16,2 21(3) If any deposit is made for an offense to which this subsection applies, the
22person making the deposit shall also deposit a sufficient amount to include the
23railroad crossing improvement assessment under this subsection. If the deposit is
24forfeited, the amount of the railroad crossing improvement assessment shall be

1transmitted to the state treasurer under sub. (4). If the deposit is returned, the
2amount of the railroad crossing improvement assessment shall also be returned.
AB891,16,7 3(4) The clerk of the circuit court shall collect and transmit to the county
4treasurer the railroad crossing improvement assessment as required under s. 59.40
5(2) (m). The county treasurer shall then pay the state treasurer as provided in s.
659.25 (3) (f) 2. The state treasurer shall deposit all amounts received under this
7subsection in the transportation fund to be appropriated under s. 20.395 (2) (gj).
AB891, s. 30 8Section 30. Initial applicability.
AB891,16,139 (1) This act first applies to offenses committed on the effective date of this
10subsection, but does not preclude the counting of other convictions as prior
11convictions for purposes of sentencing a person, suspending or revoking a person's
12operating privilege, disqualifying a person from operating a commercial motor
13vehicle or determining eligibility for authorization to operate certain vehicles.
AB891,16,1414 (End)
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