Transportation in Wisconsin

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 332: Relating to: requiring vehicles to stop for pedestrians at certain intersections and crosswalks.

AB 332 requires drivers to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks at intersections with traffic signals or when pedestrians have begun crossing on a green signal. It applies to all vehicles, including those turning, and affects pedestrians, bicyclists, and riders of e-scooters or mobility devices. The bill clarifies that drivers must yield and remain stopped until the pedestrian or device has safely crossed, whether at signaled intersections or unmarked crosswalks. It also specifies that pedestrians may not suddenly enter a vehicle's path, and drivers must yield to all crossing users during turns on red signals.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety Traffic Safety

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 526: Relating to: certain airport improvement contracts. (FE)

AB 526 modifies state contracting rules for airport improvements to align with federal requirements when federal funds are involved. It allows the state transportation secretary to use "construction manager at risk" contracts for qualified airport projects (like building or upgrading structures), where the contractor guarantees a maximum price and selection isn't based solely on lowest bid. This applies when projects are partially or fully funded by federal money, overriding standard state procurement rules for those specific cases. The bill directly affects state agencies, municipalities operating airports, and contractors bidding on federal-funded airport construction or improvement projects.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Airports

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 508: Relating to: owner liability for illegally passing a school bus and providing a penalty.

SB 508 allows school buses to install cameras to record drivers illegally passing them. Bus operators or third-party vendors can submit photo/video evidence of violations to traffic officers, who can then issue fines. The bill establishes fines of $30-$500 for drivers who pass school buses illegally, with no license suspension or demerit points added to driving records. It directly affects drivers who violate school bus stop laws, creating a new process for evidence-based enforcement.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics School Safety School Transportation Driver Licensing Public Transit Traffic Safety

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 653: Relating to: a local intersection safety program and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 653 creates a state-funded program to improve safety at high-risk intersections. It directs the Department of Transportation to provide local governments (cities and counties) with funding for safety upgrades at signalized and stop-sign intersections with excessive crash rates. The program prioritizes intersections in the 10% of counties with the worst crash records from 2019-2024 data, using $6 million in new annual funding. This directly affects local governments managing highways by enabling them to apply for grants or reimbursements for intersection safety improvements.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Appropriations Pedestrian Safety Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 523: Relating to: nonfunctional and counterfeit airbags and providing a penalty.

AB 523 bans the sale, installation, or distribution of counterfeit airbags (fake parts with misleading marks) and nonfunctional airbags (previously deployed, damaged, or falsely labeled as working). It directly affects auto parts sellers, installers, and repair shops by prohibiting these practices, with limited exceptions for police vehicles, dealers without knowledge of issues, and insurance-related vehicle transfers. Violations carry fines up to $5,000 or up to one year in jail per offense, escalating to felony charges for repeat offenses or if harm or death results. The bill creates specific definitions for these airbag types and establishes penalties under existing statute 347.50.

Topics ✓ Transportation

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 455: Relating to: eligibility for an occupational license for individuals with four or more convictions of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.

SB 455 permanently revokes driving privileges for individuals with four or more convictions for operating a vehicle while intoxicated (DUI), with a 15-year gap between convictions allowing reinstatement. It prohibits applicants from obtaining an occupational license (for essential work driving) during the first 180 days after the permanent revocation takes effect. After 10 years of the revocation period, individuals may apply for full license reinstatement under separate procedures. The bill specifically targets repeat DUI offenders by tightening license eligibility rules without altering ignition interlock device requirements for those who previously held licenses.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 72: Relating to: ratification of the Driver License Compact. (FE)

Assembly Bill 72 (AB 72) proposes that the state join the Driver License Compact, an agreement among states to share information about driving offenses. This directly affects drivers who operate vehicles in different states and the state's motor vehicle licensing authority. Under this compact, states would report convictions for motor vehicle violations to a driver's home state. The home state would then apply its own laws regarding license suspension, revocation, or limitation, giving the same effect to certain serious out-of-state offenses (like DUI or vehicular manslaughter) as if they occurred within its borders. Additionally, it would prevent individuals with suspended or revoked licenses from another compact state from obtaining a new license until the original suspension or revocation period has ended.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Dec 10, 2025

AB 271: Relating to: camera monitor systems as an alternative to mirrors for commercial motor vehicles.

AB 271 allows commercial motor vehicles operating in Wisconsin (intrastate commerce) to use camera monitor systems instead of traditional mirrors, provided the systems meet federal safety standards. The bill specifically permits systems exempted under federal regulations (49 CFR 393.80) or approved as mirror alternatives in federal safety standards. This change directly affects commercial truck and bus operators by removing a requirement for physical mirrors when using federally compliant camera systems. The law aligns Wisconsin statute with existing federal approvals, without creating new safety standards.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Freight Public Transit

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 329: Relating to: operation of all-terrain and utility terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles, and snowmobiles and revision of the Department of Transportation highway maintenance manual.

AB 329 clarifies and updates regulations for all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), utility terrain vehicles (UTVs), off-highway motorcycles, and snowmobiles. It creates new definitions for terms like "bridge," "culvert," "dune buggy," and "navigable waterway" to standardize language in traffic laws. Key provisions require ATVs to have one headlamp/tail lamp and UTVs to have two of each, prohibit operation without functioning lights, and specify rules for crossing bridges/culverts (e.g., 1,000 feet or less, with local ordinances). The bill also adds exceptions for emergency use and defines patrol vehicles used by law enforcement. This directly affects ATV/UTV operators, emergency responders, and local governments managing roadway access.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Bridges Roads & Highways

vetoed · Wisconsin · Assembly May 13, 2026

AB 326: Relating to: local grant writing and compliance assistance. (FE)

AB 326 creates a program providing grants to small local governments (populations under 7,500) to cover costs for grant writing and compliance assistance services. Grants up to $5,000 can be used for securing funding related to public works, transportation infrastructure, public safety, utility costs, or cybersecurity projects. The program requires a simple application listing only basic details (project purpose, contact info, and estimated costs) and prioritizes first-time applicants. A report evaluating the program must be submitted by December 2028.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Technology ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Cybersecurity

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