Bill > AB188

This bill modifies Wisconsin state law regarding penalty surcharges associated with fines and forfeitures. Currently, when a court imposes a fine or forfeiture for certain violations of state law or municipal/county ordinances, a 26 percent penalty surcharge is automatically added to the original fine amount. The existing law already allowed for proportional reduction of the penalty surcharge when a fine was suspended; this bill expands that provision to also apply when a fine is reduced. Specifically, the bill adds language to ensure that if a fine or forfeiture is reduced by the court, the corresponding penalty surcharge will be proportionally reduced as well. This change applies to various types of violations, such as state law infractions and municipal ordinance violations, with some specific exceptions like certain traffic and safety belt use violations. The goal appears to be creating a more equitable approach to penalty surcharges by ensuring they are scaled down when the original fine is decreased, rather than remaining at the full 26 percent of the original amount.

Government Affairs

https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/asm/bill/ab188