LRB-0785/1
ARG:bjk/jld/cjs:ph
2009 - 2010 LEGISLATURE
February 17, 2009 - Introduced by Representatives Schneider, Vruwink,
Townsend, Bies, Honadel, Barca, Lothian, Strachota
and Kleefisch,
cosponsored by Senators Olsen, A. Lasee and Coggs. Referred to Committee
on Transportation.
AB49,1,3 1An Act to amend 341.14 (6w) and 341.142; and to create 341.08 (2) (f) of the
2statutes; relating to: special distinguishing registration plates for motorcycles
3owned by veterans.
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
(automobiles) that are owned or leased by members of these groups. There are more
than 50 variations of automobile special plates related to military service, military
honors, and groups associated with a branch of the armed services, including special
plates for U.S. army veterans, U.S. air force veterans, World War II veterans, Korean
War veterans, Persian Gulf War veterans, ex-prisoners of war, persons awarded a
congressional medal of honor, persons awarded the silver star medal, and persons
awarded the purple heart medal. The only special plate available for motorcycles is
a special plate identifying the owner or lessee of the motorcycle as a veteran of the
U.S. armed forces.
Under this bill, if an applicant for a veteran's special plate for a motorcycle
identifies himself or herself as a member of an authorized special group, or as eligible
for an automobile special plate, that is military in nature, the Department of
Transportation (DOT) must provide to the applicant, to be affixed to the motorcycle
special plate, a registration decal or tag that includes certain information that
appears on the automobile special plates that are military in nature, such as the
words "Korean War veteran," "medal of honor," and "ex-prisoner of war."

Under current law, if a member of an authorized special group for which
automobile special plates are available submits certain proof that he or she has been
awarded a congressional medal for service in the armed forces, DOT must issue to
the person a decal, similar in appearance to the medal awarded, to be displayed on
the rear registration plate of the person's vehicle. This bill requires DOT to also
issue, under the same conditions, decals for display on veterans' special plates for
motorcycles.
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:
AB49, s. 1 1Section 1. 341.08 (2) (f) of the statutes is created to read:
AB49,2,52 341.08 (2) (f) If the application is for registration of a motorcycle under s. 341.14
3(6w), an opportunity for the applicant to identify himself or herself as a member of
4an authorized special group, or as eligible for special plates, as provided in s. 341.14
5(6w).
AB49, s. 2 6Section 2. 341.14 (6w) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB49,3,147 341.14 (6w) Upon application to register a motorcycle by any person who is a
8resident of this state and a veteran of the U.S. armed forces, the department shall
9issue to the person a special plate whose colors and design shall indicate that the
10vehicle is owned by a veteran of the U.S. armed forces. The department shall specify
11the design of the special plate. Notwithstanding s. 341.13 (2m), the special plate
12shall be colored red, white, and blue and be 4 inches by 7 inches in size. An additional
13fee of $15 shall be charged for the issuance or reissuance of the plate. If the applicant
14identifies himself or herself in the application as a member of an authorized special
15group described in sub. (6r) (f) 1. to 19., 20. to 32., 49. to 49s., or 51., the department
16shall provide to the applicant, to be affixed to the plate issued under this subsection,
17a registration decal or tag that includes the name of this authorized special group

1and the symbol representing this special group. If the applicant identifies himself
2or herself in the application as eligible for the special plates issued under sub. (5) and
3submits proper proof of eligibility, the department shall provide to the applicant, to
4be affixed to the plate issued under this subsection, a registration decal or tag that
5incorporates a significant element of the design of the special plates issued under
6sub. (5). If the applicant identifies himself or herself in the application as eligible for
7the special plates issued under sub. (6) and submits proper proof of eligibility, the
8department shall provide to the applicant, to be affixed to the plate issued under this
9subsection, a registration decal or tag displaying the words "ex-prisoner of war." The
10department shall not issue to an applicant a decal or tag under both this subsection
11and s. 341.142 for the same medal. If the department provides a registration decal
12or tag to an applicant under this subsection, the department shall also provide
13instructions for placement of the decal or tag on the plate issued under this
14subsection.
AB49, s. 3 15Section 3. 341.142 of the statutes is amended to read:
AB49,4,7 16341.142 Veterans honorary medal decals. If any person who is registering
17or has registered a vehicle specified in s. 341.14 (6r) (b) 1. or (6w) submits a statement
18from the U.S. department of veterans affairs certifying to the department that the
19person has been awarded a medal authorized under an act of congress relating to
20that person's service in the U.S. armed forces, as defined in s. 40.02 (57m), the
21department shall, free of charge, procure, issue and deliver to that veteran one decal,
22similar in appearance to the medal awarded to that veteran, for each motor vehicle
23registered in the name of that veteran. Notwithstanding s. 341.61 (3), a decal issued
24under this section shall be displayed in the manner directed by the department on
25the rear registration plate of the vehicle registered in the name of the veteran to

1whom the decal was issued. The department shall specify one combination of colors
2and design for each medal authorized under an act of congress for which a statement
3has been received by the department under this section, except that the department
4may not specify the colors or design unless the colors and design are approved in
5writing by the state department of veterans affairs. Not more than one decal may
6be issued under this section for each motor vehicle registered in the name of a
7veteran.
AB49, s. 4 8Section 4. Initial applicability.
AB49,4,119 (1) This act first applies to applications for original or renewal vehicle
10registration received by the department of transportation on the effective date of this
11subsection.
AB49, s. 5 12Section 5. Effective date.
AB49,4,1413 (1) This act takes effect on first day of the 5th month beginning after
14publication.
AB49,4,1515 (End)
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