Wisconsin Assembly Bill AB290

Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/30/25
• Refer: 5/30/25
• Failed: 3/23/26

Caption

An Act to amend 20.370 (1) (fs), 20.395 (5) (cj), 25.29 (1) (f), 341.14 (6r) (c), 341.14 (6r) (e) and 341.14 (6r) (fm) 7.; to create 25.40 (1) (a) 38., 341.14 (6r) (b) 23. and 341.14 (6r) (f) 70. of the statutes; Relating to: special registration plates to support protecting pollinators and making an appropriation. (FE)

Summary

AB290 creates a new Wisconsin special group vehicle registration plate for people who want to show support for protecting pollinators. The plate must display the words “Protect Pollinators” and use a full-plate design. To obtain or renew the plate, applicants must pay the normal registration-related fees plus a voluntary $25 payment, with a different payment schedule for biennial registrations depending on whether the plate is issued in the first or second year of the registration period. The bill directs the Department of Transportation to keep up to $23,700, or the actual initial production cost if lower, from the voluntary payments to cover the startup cost of producing the new plates. Any remaining voluntary payment revenue is deposited into the conservation fund and credited to the endangered resources program at the Department of Natural Resources. The bill also makes a $23,700 general fund appropriation to DOT for initial production costs and updates several statutes governing special group plates and conservation-related funding accounts.

Impact

AB290 would amend Wisconsin’s special registration plate statutes to add a new authorized special group for supporters of pollinator protection and to require a specific plate design and payment structure for that group. It also changes the flow of money associated with special plates by routing excess voluntary payments to the conservation fund for endangered resources purposes, while providing a one-time general fund transfer to cover initial plate production costs. Affected parties include vehicle owners seeking the plate, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Natural Resources/endangered resources program.

Sentiment

The bill appears generally favorable and noncontroversial in concept, as it is framed around pollinator conservation and a voluntary contribution mechanism rather than a mandatory tax or fee increase. The available record shows no committee transcript debate or recorded votes, so there is no documented opposition or support beyond the bill’s introduction and referral. Its eventual failure to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1 suggests it did not advance through the legislative process, but the provided materials do not indicate why.

Contention

The main potential points of contention are fiscal and procedural rather than substantive. The bill requires a $23,700 general fund transfer to cover initial production costs, which could draw scrutiny over use of state funds for a specialty plate program. There could also be questions about whether the voluntary payment is effectively mandatory for anyone wanting the plate, and whether the conservation-fund dedication is an appropriate use of specialty plate revenue. No specific objections from legislators, agencies, or stakeholders are included in the record provided.