SB520: Bill Text

LRB-4177/1

ARG:cjs:jf

2011 - 2012 LEGISLATURE

2011 Senate BILL 520

February 27, 2012 - Introduced by Senators Lasee, Olsen and Schultz, cosponsored by Representatives Jacque, Bies, Brooks, Kerkman, Kestell, Nygren, Rivard and Wynn. Referred to Committee on Transportation and Elections.

SB520,1,3 An Act to renumber and amend 341.269 (1); to amend 341.10 (6), 341.10 (6m) and 341.269 (3); and to create 341.269 (1) (b) and 341.269 (6) of the statutes; relating to: vehicles registered as historic military vehicles.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, as created by 2009 Wisconsin Act 135, there is a special category of vehicle registration for former military vehicles, which may be registered for a reduced fee but are subject to operating restrictions. Under this registration category, a "former military vehicle" is a vehicle that was manufactured for use in any country's military forces and is maintained to accurately represent its military design and markings, regardless of the vehicle's size or weight. A former military vehicle may be registered as a "historic military vehicle" if it is at least 25 years old and has been imported into the United States from another country or if it has not been imported and is of any age. The Department of Transportation (DOT) must issue for the vehicle special plates showing it is registered as a historic military vehicle. A vehicle may be registered as a historic military vehicle even if the vehicle was originally designed and manufactured for off-highway operation and does not meet federal motor vehicle safety standards. A vehicle registered as a historic military vehicle may only be used for special occasions such as display and parade purposes, including traveling to and from such events, and for necessary testing, maintenance, and storage purposes.

The bill expands the circumstances under which a vehicle registered as a historic military vehicle may be operated. The bill allows these vehicles to be operated for occasional personal use, but not for regular daily transportation, and specifies that use for special occasions includes club activities, exhibitions, and tours.

The bill also specifies that an owner of a former military vehicle may store unregistered, operable or inoperable, former military vehicles and parts vehicles for former military vehicles on the owner's property if the vehicles and parts vehicles and the outdoor storage area do not constitute a health hazard and are screened from ordinary public view.

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

SB520, s. 1 Section 1. 341.10 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB520,2,8 341.10 (6) The vehicle is originally designed and manufactured for off-highway operation unless the vehicle meets the provisions of s. 114 of the national traffic and motor vehicle safety act of 1966, as amended, except as otherwise authorized by the statutes. This subsection does not apply to former military vehicles, as defined in s. 341.269 (1) (a), for which the department receives an application, and which are eligible, for registration under s. 341.269 or, with respect to a county or municipality, under s. 341.26 (2m).

SB520, s. 2 Section 2. 341.10 (6m) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB520,2,14 341.10 (6m) The vehicle was manufactured for use in any country's military forces and does not meet federal motor vehicle safety standards. This subsection does not apply to former military vehicles, as defined in s. 341.269 (1) (a), for which the department receives an application, and which are eligible, for registration under s. 341.269 or, with respect to a county or municipality, under s. 341.26 (2m).

SB520, s. 3 Section 3. 341.269 (1) of the statutes is renumbered 341.269 (1) (intro.) and amended to read:

SB520,2,17 341.269 (1) (intro.) In this section, "former:

SB520,3,4 (a) "Former military vehicle" means a vehicle, including a trailer but excluding a tracked vehicle, that was manufactured for use in any country's military forces and is maintained to accurately represent its military design and markings, regardless of the vehicle's size or weight.

SB520, s. 4 Section 4. 341.269 (1) (b) of the statutes is created to read:

SB520,3,8 341.269 (1) (b) "Parts vehicle" means a vehicle generally in nonoperable condition that is owned to furnish parts which will enable a former military vehicle owner to restore, preserve, and maintain a former military vehicle.

SB520, s. 5 Section 5. 341.269 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB520,3,14 341.269 (3) A vehicle registered under this section may only be used for special occasions such as display and parade purposes, club activities, exhibitions, and tours, including traveling to and from such events, and for necessary testing, maintenance, and storage purposes, and for occasional personal use, but not for regular daily transportation.

SB520, s. 6 Section 6. 341.269 (6) of the statutes is created to read:

SB520,3,21 341.269 (6) The owner of a former military vehicle may store unregistered, operable or inoperable, former military vehicles and parts vehicles on the owner's property if the vehicles and parts vehicles and the outdoor storage area are maintained in such a manner that they do not constitute a health hazard and are screened from ordinary public view by means of a fence, rapidly growing trees, shrubbery, or other appropriate means.

SB520, s. 7 Section 7. Initial applicability.

SB520,3,24 (1) The treatment of section 341.269 (3) of the statutes first applies to vehicles operated on the effective date of this subsection.

SB520,3,25 (End)