AB813: Bill Text

LRB-3127/2

EVM:wlj:jf

2009 - 2010 LEGISLATURE

2009 Assembly BILL 813

March 5, 2010 - Introduced by Representatives Sinicki, Zigmunt, Ziegelbauer, A. Williams, Turner, Pridemore, Lothian, Hraychuck, Bies and Berceau, cosponsored by Senators Plale, Darling, Kedzie, Lehman, Schultz, Taylor and Wirch. Referred to Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs.

AB813,1,3 An Act to renumber and amend 341.14 (8) (c); to amend 341.14 (1); and to create 341.14 (8) (c) 2. of the statutes; relating to: registration plates for certain disabled veterans.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, a person who submits to the Department of Transportation (DOT) a certification from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that the person sustained injuries while in active military service that limit or impair the person's ability to walk may obtain from DOT special distinguishing registration plates for certain vehicles, including automobiles, light-duty trucks, and motor homes, that identify the owner or lessee of the vehicle as a disabled veteran.

Under this bill, if, in addition to the certification of injury, a disabled veteran submits to DOT a certification from the Military Order of the Purple Heart that the veteran has been awarded the Purple Heart medal, the veteran may obtain from DOT special distinguishing registration plates that identify the owner or lessee of the vehicle as a disabled veteran and incorporate the emblem of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. Also under this bill, a surviving spouse may obtain a special group plate for persons awarded the Purple Heart medal. The special plate that the surviving spouse may obtain does not provide parking privileges reserved for disabled persons.

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:

AB813, s. 1 Section 1. 341.14 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB813,3,6 341.14 (1) If any resident of this state who is registering or has registered an automobile, or a motor truck, dual purpose motor home or dual purpose farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 8,000 pounds, a farm truck which has a gross weight of not more than 12,000 pounds or a motor home submits a statement once every 4 years, as determined by the department, from the U.S. department of veterans affairs certifying to the department that the resident is, by reason of injuries sustained while in the active U.S. military service, a person with a disability that limits or impairs the ability to walk, the department shall procure, issue and deliver to the veteran, plates of a special design in lieu of the plates which ordinarily would be issued for the vehicle, and shall renew the plates. The plates shall be colored red, white, and blue and the department shall consult the department of veterans affairs before specifying the design of the plates. The plates shall be so designed as to readily apprise law enforcement officers of the fact that the vehicle is owned by a disabled veteran and is entitled to the parking privileges specified in s. 346.50 (2). If, in addition to the statement of disability, the veteran provides a statement from the Military Order of the Purple Heart certifying to the department that the veteran has been awarded the Purple Heart medal, the department shall issue and deliver to the veteran a plate of special design meeting all of the requirements of this subsection and incorporating as much of the emblem of the Military Order of the Purple Heart as practicable. The department may not issue any plate incorporating the emblem of the Military Order of the Purple Heart unless the department has received information sufficient for the department to determine that any approvals required for the use of the emblem, or portion of the emblem, of the Military Order of the Purple Heart have been obtained. No charge in addition to the registration fee shall be made for the issuance or renewal of such plates under this subsection.

AB813, s. 2 Section 2. 341.14 (8) (c) of the statutes is renumbered 341.14 (8) (c) 1. and amended to read:

AB813,3,10 341.14 (8) (c) 1. This Except as provided in subd. 2., this subsection does not apply to a special plate issued under s. 341.14 (1) or (1r).

AB813, s. 3 Section 3. 341.14 (8) (c) 2. of the statutes is created to read:

AB813,3,17 341.14 (8) (c) 2. If a plate of special design incorporating a symbol associated with the Military Order of the Purple Heart has been issued to a person under sub. (1), upon application by the surviving spouse of the person, the department shall issue a special plate under sub. (6r) (f) 32. to the surviving spouse. No charge in addition to the registration fee shall be made for the issuance or renewal of the special plate under sub. (6r) (f) 32. to the surviving spouse.

AB813, s. 4 Section 4. Effective date.

AB813,3,20 (1) This act takes effect on the first day of the 7th month beginning after publication.

AB813,3,21 (End)