summary
Introduced
10/09/2025
10/09/2025
In Committee
10/09/2025
10/09/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
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.
AI Summary
This bill requires municipalities and counties to obtain voter approval through a referendum before imposing or continuing a wheel tax (an annual vehicle registration fee). Currently, local governments can independently enact these fees, but under this proposed legislation, they must first hold a referendum at a regularly scheduled election where voters will decide whether to approve the fee. The referendum ballot must clearly state the proposed fee amount and ask voters if they want to impose or continue the registration fee. If a majority of voters approve the measure, the municipality or county can implement the fee starting on the first day of the fourth month after the referendum. For municipalities or counties that already have a wheel tax in place, they must hold a referendum no later than the first day of the 18th month after the bill's effective date to continue collecting the fee. If voters do not approve the referendum, the local government cannot impose the registration fee. The bill applies specifically to motor vehicles registered in the state that are primarily kept in the municipality or county, and the fee would be in addition to existing state registration fees.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (15)
Elijah Behnke (R)*,
Barbara Dittrich (R)*,
Rick Gundrum (R)*,
Brent Jacobson (R)*,
Dan Knodl (R)*,
Rob Kreibich (R)*,
Dave Maxey (R)*,
Jeff Mursau (R)*,
Jim Piwowarczyk (R)*,
Chuck Wichgers (R)*,
Rachael Cabral-Guevara (R),
Rob Hutton (R),
André Jacque (R),
Chris Kapenga (R),
Steve Nass (R),
Last Action
Representative Mursau withdrawn as a coauthor (on 11/17/2025)
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/asm/bill/ab483 |
| Fiscal Note - AB483: Fiscal Estimate From DOT | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/fe/ab483/ab483_dot.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/AB483.pdf |
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