Bill
Bill > SB65
summary
Introduced
02/21/2025
02/21/2025
In Committee
04/15/2025
04/15/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Under current law, a political subdivision may enact an ordinance authorizing law enforcement officers to impound vehicles used in reckless driving offenses if the person cited for reckless driving is the owner of the vehicle and the person has a prior reckless driving conviction for which a forfeiture was imposed that has not been fully paid. Under this bill, such an ordinance may authorize the impoundment of any vehicle used in a reckless driving offense regardless of ownership of the vehicle or prior record of the operator. The bill also provides that a local ordinance may authorize impounding such a vehicle until outstanding fines and forfeitures owed by the vehicle[s owner are fully paid. Also under the bill, upon impounding a vehicle under such an ordinance, the law enforcement officer must attempt to determine if the vehicle has been reported as stolen, and if so, the officer or the impounding political subdivision must attempt to contact the owner. If the vehicle is reported as stolen, the vehicle must be released to the owner without the payment of a fee or charge. LRB-2000/1 EVM:emw&skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 65 For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
AI Summary
This bill modifies existing Wisconsin law regarding the impoundment of vehicles used in reckless driving offenses. Currently, a local government could only impound a vehicle if the owner had a prior unpaid reckless driving forfeiture. The bill expands this provision to allow impoundment of any vehicle used in a reckless driving offense, regardless of the vehicle's ownership or the driver's prior record. The bill also adds a new requirement that when a vehicle is impounded, law enforcement must make a reasonable effort to determine if the vehicle has been reported stolen. If the vehicle is reported stolen, the law enforcement agency must attempt to contact the owner and, if claimed, must return the vehicle without charging any fees. If a stolen vehicle remains unclaimed for more than 60 days after impoundment, the local government may dispose of it following the same procedures as for abandoned vehicles. Additionally, the bill allows local ordinances to impound a vehicle until all outstanding fines and forfeitures owed by the vehicle's owner are fully paid. These changes provide local governments with more flexibility in addressing reckless driving and vehicle impoundment.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (23)
Cory Tomczyk (R)*,
Van Wanggaard (R)*,
Scott Allen (R),
Barbara Dittrich (R),
Robert Donovan (R),
Cindi Duchow (R),
Russell Goodwin (D),
Rick Gundrum (R),
Dan Knodl (R),
Dave Maxey (R),
Paul Melotik (R),
Dave Murphy (R),
Jeff Mursau (R),
Todd Novak (R),
Jerry O'Connor (R),
Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (D),
William Penterman (R),
Jim Piwowarczyk (R),
Jessie Rodriguez (R),
David Steffen (R),
Paul Tittl (R),
Ron Tusler (R),
Chuck Wichgers (R),
Last Action
Representative Brown added as a cosponsor (on 03/06/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/sen/bill/sb65 |
| Analysis - LC Amendment Memo | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/lcamendmentmemos/2025/REG/SB65.pdf |
| SB65 ROCP for Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety On 4/15/2025 | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/records/senate/judiciary_and_public_safety/1913923.pdf |
| Fiscal Note - SB65: Fiscal Estimate From DOT | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/fe/sb65/sb65_dot.pdf |
| Senate Amendment 1 | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/amends/2025/REG/SB65-SA1.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/SB65.pdf |
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