LRB-2862/1
ARG:kmg:pg
2001 - 2002 LEGISLATURE
May 16, 2001 - Introduced by Senators Grobschmidt, Plache, Burke, Risser and
Shibilski, cosponsored by Representatives Plale, Urban, Sinicki, Turner,
Ryba, Ott, Morris-Tatum and Wasserman. Referred to Committee on
Education.
SB179,1,2
1An Act to create 347.445 of the statutes;
relating to: requiring crossing gates
2on school buses, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Under current law, school buses must be painted yellow and black and must
have the words "SCHOOL BUS" in black letters at least eight inches high written
on the front and back of the bus. A school bus painted in this manner may not be
operated unless it is equipped with flashing red signals and with a 360-degree
flashing white strobe light. Current law also allows the department of
transportation (DOT) to prescribe rules requiring additional equipment for school
buses. These DOT rules currently require every school bus that is painted yellow and
black to be equipped with a stop signal arm, and the rules also provide specifications
for the stop signal arm. These rules also allow, but do not require, a school bus to be
equipped with a safety control arm mounted on the right side of the bumper.
This bill requires any school bus that is painted yellow and black to be
equipped, on the front, with a retractable crossing gate that, when in use, prevents
children from crossing in front of the bus in such proximity that they are not visible
to the bus driver. The bill also requires DOT to prescribe rules for the specifications,
installation, and operation of these crossing gates. Any person who operates a school
bus that is not equipped with the required crossing gate may be required to forfeit
not less than $10 nor 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:
SB179, s. 1
1Section
1. 347.445 of the statutes is created to read:
SB179,2,8
2347.445 Crossing gates for school buses. No person may operate a school
3bus that is painted as provided in s. 347.44 unless it is equipped with a retractable
4crossing gate on the front of the bus that, when in use, prevents children from
5crossing in front of the school bus in such proximity that they are not visible to the
6operator of the school bus from the operator's seat. The secretary shall prescribe
7rules for the specifications, installation, and operation of crossing gates required
8under this section.
SB179,2,1110
(1)
This act takes effect on the first day of the 7th month beginning after
11publication.
