AB538: Bill Text

LRB-3130/1

ARG:jld:nwn

2007 - 2008 LEGISLATURE

2007 Assembly BILL 538

October 16, 2007 - Introduced by Representatives Musser, Schneider, Pridemore, Sheridan, Petrowski, Ziegelbauer, A. Ott, Albers, Turner, Honadel, Owens, Hahn, Suder, Berceau and Gunderson, cosponsored by Senators Sullivan, A. Lasee, Roessler, Kreitlow, Schultz, Lassa and Plale. Referred to Committee on Transportation.

AB538,1,4 An Act to amend 341.14 (6r) (b) 9., 341.14 (6r) (d) 1. and 341.14 (6r) (fm) 7.; and to create 341.08 (2) (f), 341.14 (6m) (d), 341.14 (6r) (d) 3. and 341.14 (6r) (f) 49p. of the statutes; relating to: special distinguishing registration plates for groups that are military in nature.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, members of authorized special groups may obtain special distinguishing registration plates for automobiles and certain other vehicles that are owned or leased by members of these groups. There are numerous special plates related to military service, military honors, and groups associated with a branch of the armed services. State residents who are members or retired members of the national guard may obtain special plates that display the words "Wisconsin guard member" (national guard special plates).

Under this bill, if an applicant for initial issuance of national guard special plates identifies himself or herself as a member or former member of the 32nd "Red Arrow" Brigade or Division, the Department of Transportation (DOT) must affix to each special plate two decals (stickers), one of which displays the words "Red Arrow" and the other of which displays the red arrow symbol associated with the 32nd "Red Arrow" Brigade or Division. An applicant for renewal of registration of national guard special plates may also receive these stickers, free of charge, if these stickers were not previously affixed by DOT to the applicant's national guard special plates.

This bill also establishes as an authorized special group members or former members of the 32nd "Red Arrow" Brigade or Division. In addition to the regular vehicle registration fee, special group members are required to pay a $15 fee for issuance or reissuance of the special plates, which fee is mostly deposited in the veterans trust fund. These special plates must display the words "Red Arrow" and the red arrow symbol associated with the 32nd "Red Arrow" Brigade or Division.

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:

AB538, s. 1 Section 1. 341.08 (2) (f) of the statutes is created to read:

AB538,2,4 341.08 (2) (f) If the application is for registration of a vehicle under s. 341.14 (6m), an opportunity for the applicant to identify himself or herself as a member or former member of the 32nd "Red Arrow" Brigade or Division.

AB538, s. 2 Section 2. 341.14 (6m) (d) of the statutes is created to read:

AB538,2,12 341.14 (6m) (d) 1. If an applicant for initial issuance of special plates under this subsection identifies himself or herself in the application as a member or former member of the 32nd "Red Arrow" Brigade or Division, the department shall affix to each plate issued under this subsection 2 decals related to the 32nd "Red Arrow" Brigade or Division. One decal shall display only the words "Red Arrow." The other decal shall display only the red arrow symbol associated with the 32nd "Red Arrow" Brigade or Division.

AB538,2,19 2. Upon receiving any application for renewal of registration of a vehicle for which special plates have been issued under this subsection, if the applicant identifies himself or herself in the application as a member or former member of the 32nd "Red Arrow" Brigade or Division and if the department has not previously issued plates with decals affixed as provided under subd. 1. or 3., the department shall provide decals described in subd. 1. to the applicant, free of charge, with instructions for placement of the decals on the special plates.

AB538,3,6 3. Notwithstanding subd. 2., upon receiving any application for renewal of registration of a vehicle for which special plates have been issued under this subsection, if the applicant identifies himself or herself in the application as a member or former member of the 32nd "Red Arrow" Brigade or Division and if the department is required under s. 341.135 (2) to issue new registration plates for the vehicle, the department shall affix to the plates decals described in subd. 1.

AB538,3,8 4. This paragraph also applies to personalized registration plates issued under s. 341.145 (1g) (a).

AB538, s. 3 Section 3. 341.14 (6r) (b) 9. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB538,3,15 341.14 (6r) (b) 9. A fee of $15 shall be charged for the issuance or reissuance of a plate for a special group specified under par. (f) 1. to 19., 20. to 32., 49. to 49s., 51., or 56. All moneys received under this subdivision in excess of the initial costs of production of the special group plates under par. (f) 3m., 6m., 9g., 9m., 12g., 12m., 49d., 49h., 49p., 49s., and 56. or $37,800, whichever is less, shall be deposited in the veterans trust fund.

AB538, s. 4 Section 4. 341.14 (6r) (d) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB538,3,23 341.14 (6r) (d) 1. Subject to subd. subds. 2. and 3. and par. (c), the department shall specify the word or words comprising the special group name and the symbol to be displayed upon special group plates for a group associated with a branch of the armed services or a related organization after consultation with the appropriate state or federal representative of that service or organization. Special group plates for a group associated with a branch of the armed services or a related organization shall be colored red, white and blue.

AB538, s. 5 Section 5. 341.14 (6r) (d) 3. of the statutes is created to read:

AB538,4,3 341.14 (6r) (d) 3. Special group plates under par. (f) 49p. shall display the words "Red Arrow" and the red arrow symbol associated with the 32nd "Red Arrow" Brigade or Division.

AB538, s. 6 Section 6. 341.14 (6r) (f) 49p. of the statutes is created to read:

AB538,4,6 341.14 (6r) (f) 49p. Members or former members of the 32nd "Red Arrow" Brigade or Division.

AB538, s. 7 Section 7. 341.14 (6r) (fm) 7. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB538,4,13 341.14 (6r) (fm) 7. After October 1, 1998, additional authorized special groups may only be special groups designated by the department under this paragraph. The authorized special groups enumerated in par. (f) shall be limited solely to those special groups specified under par. (f) on October 1, 1998. This subdivision does not apply to the special groups specified under par. (f) 3m., 6m., 9g., 9m., 12g., 12m., 19m., 49d., 49h., 49p., 49s., 54., 55., 55m., 56. and 57.

AB538, s. 8 Section 8. Initial applicability.

AB538,4,17 (1) The treatment of sections 341.08 (2) (f) and 341.14 (6m) (d) of the statutes first applies to applications for original or renewal vehicle registration received by the department of transportation on the effective date of this subsection.

AB538, s. 9 Section 9. Effective date.

AB538,4,20 (1) This act takes effect on first day of the 4th month beginning after publication.

AB538,4,21 (End)