LRB-2988/1
ARG:bjk/jld/cjs:nwn
2007 - 2008 LEGISLATURE
December 19, 2007 - Introduced by Representative Schneider. Referred to
Committee on Transportation.
AB629,1,3
1An Act to amend 341.14 (6w) and 341.142; and
to create 341.08 (2) (f) of the
2statutes;
relating to: special distinguishing registration plates for motorcycles
3owned by veterans.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Under current law, members of authorized special groups may obtain special
distinguishing registration plates for automobiles and certain other vehicles
(automobiles) that are owned or leased by members of these groups. There are more
than 50 variations of automobile special plates related to military service, military
honors, and groups associated with a branch of the armed services, including special
plates for U.S. army veterans, U.S. air force veterans, World War II veterans, Korean
War veterans, Persian Gulf War veterans, ex-prisoners of war, persons awarded a
congressional medal of honor, persons awarded the silver star medal, and persons
awarded the purple heart medal. The only special plate available for motorcycles is
a special plate identifying the owner or lessee of the motorcycle as a veteran of the
U.S. armed forces.
Under this bill, if an applicant for a veteran's special plate for a motorcycle
identifies himself or herself as a member of an authorized special group, or as eligible
for an automobile special plate, that is military in nature, the Department of
Transportation (DOT) must affix to the motorcycle special plate a registration decal
or tag that includes certain information that appears on the automobile special
plates that are military in nature, such as the words "Korean War veteran," "medal
of honor," and "ex-prisoner of war."
Under current law, if a member of an authorized special group for which
automobile special plates are available submits certain proof that he or she has been
awarded a congressional medal for service in the armed forces, DOT must issue to
the person a decal, similar in appearance to the medal awarded, to be displayed on
the rear registration plate of the person's vehicle. This bill requires DOT to also
issue, under the same conditions, decals for display on veterans' special plates for
motorcycles.
For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as
an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB629, s. 1
1Section
1. 341.08 (2) (f) of the statutes is created to read:
AB629,2,52
341.08
(2) (f) If the application is for registration of a motorcycle under s. 341.14
3(6w), an opportunity for the applicant to identify himself or herself as a member of
4an authorized special group, or as eligible for special plates, as provided in s. 341.14
5(6w).
AB629, s. 2
6Section
2. 341.14 (6w) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB629,3,107
341.14
(6w) Upon application to register a motorcycle by any person who is a
8resident of this state and a veteran of the U.S. armed forces, the department shall
9issue to the person a special plate whose colors and design shall indicate that the
10vehicle is owned by a veteran of the U.S. armed forces. The department shall specify
11the design of the special plate. Notwithstanding s. 341.13 (2m), the special plate
12shall be colored red, white, and blue and be 4 inches by 7 inches in size. An additional
13fee of $15 shall be charged for the issuance or reissuance of the plate.
If the applicant
14identifies himself or herself in the application as a member of an authorized special
15group described in sub. (6r) (f) 1. to 19., 20. to 32., 49. to 49s., or 51., the department
16shall affix to the plate issued under this subsection a registration decal or tag that
17includes the name of this authorized special group and the symbol representing this
1special group. If the applicant identifies himself or herself in the application as
2eligible for the special plates issued under sub. (5) and submits proper proof of
3eligibility, the department shall affix to the plate issued under this subsection a
4registration decal or tag that incorporates a significant element of the design of the
5special plates issued under sub. (5). If the applicant identifies himself or herself in
6the application as eligible for the special plates issued under sub. (6) and submits
7proper proof of eligibility, the department shall affix to the plate issued under this
8subsection a registration decal or tag displaying the words "ex-prisoner of war." The
9department shall not issue to an applicant a decal or tag under both this subsection
10and s. 341.142 for the same medal.
AB629, s. 3
11Section
3. 341.142 of the statutes is amended to read:
AB629,4,3
12341.142 Veterans honorary medal decals. If any person who is registering
13or has registered a vehicle specified in s. 341.14 (6r) (b) 1.
or (6w) submits a statement
14from the U.S. department of veterans affairs certifying to the department that the
15person has been awarded a medal authorized under an act of congress relating to
16that person's service in the U.S. armed forces, as defined in s. 40.02 (57m), the
17department shall, free of charge, procure, issue and deliver to that veteran one decal,
18similar in appearance to the medal awarded to that veteran, for each motor vehicle
19registered in the name of that veteran. Notwithstanding s. 341.61 (3), a decal issued
20under this section shall be displayed in the manner directed by the department on
21the rear registration plate of the vehicle registered in the name of the veteran to
22whom the decal was issued. The department shall specify one combination of colors
23and design for each medal authorized under an act of congress for which a statement
24has been received by the department under this section, except that the department
25may not specify the colors or design unless the colors and design are approved in
1writing by the state department of veterans affairs. Not more than one decal may
2be issued under this section for each motor vehicle registered in the name of a
3veteran.
AB629,4,75
(1) This act first applies to applications for original or renewal vehicle
6registration received by the department of transportation on the effective date of this
7subsection.
AB629,4,109
(1)
This act takes effect on first day of the 5th month beginning after
10publication.
