summary
Introduced
10/15/2025
10/15/2025
In Committee
12/23/2025
12/23/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Under current law, a person is prohibited from selling, installing, reinstalling, or distributing a previously deployed airbag or concealing a missing or previously deployed airbag. Violations of these prohibitions are punishable by a $5,000 fine or imprisonment of up to one year, or both. This bill expands these prohibitions to importing, manufacturing, or offering for sale a previously deployed airbag and creates similar prohibitions relating to nonfunctional and counterfeit airbags. Under the bill, Xnonfunctional airbagY means a replacement airbag that 1) was previously deployed or damaged; 2) has an electric fault that is detected by the motor vehicle[s diagnostic system; 3) includes a part or object intended to mislead the owner or operator of the motor vehicle into believing that a functional airbag has been installed; or 4) is prohibited from being sold under federal law. Under the bill, Xcounterfeit airbagY means a replacement airbag, or an airbag component, that displays an unauthorized mark substantially similar to the mark of an original equipment manufacturer or a genuine supplier of parts to the manufacturer of a motor vehicle. The bill retains the current penalty for a first offense and provides for increased penalties for repeat offenses and offenses that result in bodily harm or great bodily harm to a person or the death of a person. Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report.
AI Summary
This bill updates Wisconsin's laws regarding airbags by defining and prohibiting nonfunctional and counterfeit airbags in motor vehicles. The bill introduces precise definitions for "airbag," "counterfeit airbag," and "nonfunctional airbag," which include components that do not meet original manufacturer safety standards, have been previously deployed or damaged, or contain parts intended to mislead vehicle owners. The legislation makes it illegal to import, manufacture, sell, install, or distribute previously deployed, nonfunctional, or counterfeit airbags, with specific exceptions for certain situations like police vehicles, vehicle dealerships unaware of airbag issues, and insurance companies handling total loss vehicles. The bill establishes a graduated penalty system for violations, ranging from fines and potential jail time to felony charges depending on the severity of the violation, with escalating criminal classifications for repeat offenses or incidents causing bodily harm or death. The goal of the legislation is to improve vehicle safety by preventing the circulation of substandard or fraudulent airbag components that could compromise passenger protection during accidents.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (12)
Elijah Behnke (R)*,
Barbara Dittrich (R)*,
Rob Kreibich (R)*,
Dave Maxey (R)*,
Paul Melotik (R)*,
Vincent Miresse (D)*,
Jim Piwowarczyk (R)*,
Christine Sinicki (D)*,
Lisa Subeck (D)*,
Howard Marklein (R),
Steve Nass (R),
Van Wanggaard (R),
Last Action
Representative J. Jacobson added as a coauthor (on 02/09/2026)
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/asm/bill/ab523 |
| AB523 ROCP for Committee on Consumer Protection | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/records/assembly/consumer_protection/1960383.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/AB523.pdf |
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