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Bill > SB467


WI SB467

WI SB467
Local wheel tax referenda. (FE)


summary

Introduced
10/02/2025
In Committee
01/21/2026
Crossed Over
01/21/2026
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

Potential new amendment
2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill provides that a municipal or county vehicle registration fee, commonly known as a wheel tax, may be imposed only if approved by a majority of electors voting in a referendum at a regularly scheduled election. Under current law, the governing body of a municipality or county may enact an ordinance imposing an annual flat municipal or county registration fee on all motor vehicles registered in this state that are customarily kept in the municipality or county. The fees collected are required to be used only for transportation-related purposes. Under the bill, a municipality or county that proposes to impose a registration fee is required to hold a referendum at a regularly scheduled election. The registration fee may be imposed only if approved by a majority of the electors who vote in the referendum. Registration fees imposed prior to the date on which the bill becomes law must be approved by a majority of electors voting in a referendum at a regularly scheduled election occurring not later than the first day of the 18th month beginning after the date on which the bill becomes law. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. LRB-4192/1 EVM:skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 467

AI Summary

This bill requires municipalities and counties to hold a public referendum before imposing or continuing a wheel tax (a vehicle registration fee), which is an additional annual fee applied to motor vehicles registered in a specific local jurisdiction. Under the proposed law, local governments must place a ballot measure before voters at a regularly scheduled election, asking whether they support implementing or maintaining such a registration fee. The referendum question must clearly state the amount of the proposed fee and apply to motor vehicles customarily kept in that municipality or county. For new fees, if the majority of voters approve the referendum, the fee can be implemented starting on the first day of the fourth month after the vote. For existing fees, municipalities and counties that already have a wheel tax must hold a referendum by the first day of the 18th month after the bill becomes law to continue collecting the fee. If voters do not approve the referendum, the local government cannot impose or continue the vehicle registration fee. This legislation aims to provide more direct voter input on local vehicle registration fees, ensuring that such taxes have explicit public support before being implemented or maintained.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance, Transportation and Infrastructure

Sponsors (15)

Last Action

Received from Senate (on 01/22/2026)

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