AB55: Bill Text

LRB-0298/2

PEN:wlj&kmg:ijs

1999 - 2000 LEGISLATURE

1999 Assembly BILL 55

January 21, 1999 - Introduced by Representatives Brandemuehl, Freese, Goetsch, Sykora, Gronemus, M. Lehman, Musser, Turner, Stone, Grothman, Olsen, Owens, Albers, Lassa, Ryba and Powers, cosponsored by Senators Breske, Drzewiecki, Darling and Schultz. Referred to Committee on Transportation.

AB55,1,3 An Act to repeal 218.01 (3a); and to amend 218.01 (8) of the statutes; relating to: misuse of a distinctive dealer registration plate by a motor vehicle dealer, distributor, transporter or manufacturer.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Current law prohibits any person from acting as a motor vehicle dealer, distributor or manufacturer unless the person possesses a license issued by the department of transportation (DOT) authorizing the activity. Licensed motor vehicle dealers, distributors or manufacturers may register with DOT and receive distinctive "dealer" registration plates, which authorize the operation of unregistered motor vehicles upon a highway. In contrast, current law generally requires that all motor vehicles (rather than their operators) be registered before being operated upon a highway.

Current law also requires DOT to revoke the motor vehicle dealer, distributor or manufacturer license of a motor vehicle dealer, distributor or manufacturer who, for the second or subsequent time within one registration year, operates or consents to the operation of a vehicle under purported authority of a dealer registration plate when the vehicle is not owned or being repossessed by the dealer, distributor or manufacturer or is not otherwise authorized to be operated under authority of the dealer registration plates. A motor vehicle dealer, distributor or manufacturer who misuses a dealer plate in this manner may also be required to pay a forfeiture of $200 for each offense.

This bill repeals the requirement that DOT revoke the license of a motor vehicle dealer, distributor or manufacturer for misusing or consenting to the misuse of a dealer registration plate for a second or subsequent time within one registration year.

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

AB55, s. 1 Section 1. 218.01 (3a) of the statutes is repealed.

AB55, s. 2 Section 2. 218.01 (8) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB55,2,6 218.01 (8) Penalties. Except for sub. (3) (a) 1., 3., 6., 7., 11., 12., 13., 20., 25., 29. and 30., and except for violations for sub. (2) (a), (2a), (3a) (c) or (7b), any person violating this section may be required to forfeit not less than $25 nor more than $500 for each violation.

AB55,2,7 (End)