AB221: Bill Text

2025 - 2026 LEGISLATURE

LRB-2556/1

ZDW:skw

2025 ASSEMBLY BILL 221

April 23, 2025 - Introduced by Representatives Mursau, Dittrich, Duchow, Gustafson, O'Connor and Wittke, cosponsored by Senators Marklein, Cabral-Guevara, Dassler-Alfheim, Pfaff and Testin. Referred to Committee on Transportation.

AB221,1,3 An Act to amend 23.33 (2j) (a) 1. and 340.01 (74); to create 23.33 (1) (gm), 23.33 (2) (bm) and 340.01 (73e) of the statutes; relating to: all-terrain vehicles and utility terrain vehicles with out-of-state registrations.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill provides that a vehicle with out-of-state registration that meets this state’s definition of an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or utility terrain vehicle (UTV) is an ATV or UTV, regardless of the vehicle type specified on the out-of-state registration, and is subject to legal requirements applicable to ATVs and UTVs. A vehicle with out-of-state registration that does not meet this state’s definition of an ATV or UTV is not an ATV or UTV and is not eligible for public operation on ATV trails or routes as an ATV or UTV.

The bill modifies the definition of “public all-terrain vehicle corridor” to include ATV routes and “hybrid trails,” which are combination ATV routes and trails. The bill also modifies the definition of “vehicle,” as that term is defined for purposes related to motor vehicle regulation, to provide that a UTV is not a vehicle, “except for purposes made specifically applicable by statute.”

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

AB221,1 Section 1. 23.33 (1) (gm) of the statutes is created to read:

AB221,2,5 23.33 (1) (gm) “Hybrid trail” means an all-terrain vehicle trail and all-terrain vehicle route combination that allows all-terrain vehicles and motor vehicles to use the same linear surface and the combination is used to connect one all-terrain vehicle trail to another all-terrain vehicle trail or services.

AB221,2 Section 2. 23.33 (2) (bm) of the statutes is created to read:

AB221,2,13 23.33 (2) (bm) Vehicles registered out-of-state. 1. A vehicle registered outside of this state that meets the definition of an all-terrain vehicle under sub. (1) (b) or a utility terrain vehicle under sub. (1) (ng) shall be considered an all-terrain vehicle or utility terrain vehicle, regardless of the vehicle type specified on the out-of-state registration for the vehicle, and shall be subject to the requirements of this section and chs. 340 to 351 that are applicable to all-terrain vehicles or utility terrain vehicles.

AB221,2,18 2. A vehicle registered outside of this state that does not meet the definition of an all-terrain vehicle under sub. (1) (b) or a utility terrain vehicle under sub. (1) (ng) is not an all-terrain vehicle or utility terrain vehicle for purposes of this section and chs. 340 to 351 and the owner or operator of the vehicle may not be issued a nonresident trail pass under sub. (2j) for the vehicle.

AB221,3 Section 3. 23.33 (2j) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB221,2,23 23.33 (2j) (a) 1. “Public all-terrain vehicle corridor” means an all-terrain vehicle trail, all-terrain vehicle route, hybrid trail, or other established all-terrain vehicle corridor that is open to the public but does not include an all-terrain vehicle route.

AB221,4 Section 4. 340.01 (73e) of the statutes is created to read:

AB221,3,2 340.01 (73e) “Utility terrain vehicle” has the meaning given in s. 23.33 (1) (ng).

AB221,5 Section 5. 340.01 (74) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB221,3,9 340.01 (74) “Vehicle” means every device in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, except railroad trains. A snowmobile, an all-terrain vehicle, a utility terrain vehicle, a personal delivery device, an electric scooter, and an electric personal assistive mobility device shall not be considered a vehicle except for purposes made specifically applicable by statute.

AB221,3,10 (end)