An Act to renumber 23.33 (1) (ja), 23.33 (1) (jc), 23.33 (1) (jd) and 23.33 (1) (je); to renumber and amend 23.33 (11m); to amend 23.33 (1) (ng) 1. e., 23.33 (3) (a), 23.33 (4) (d) 3. a., 23.33 (4) (d) 3. b., 23.33 (6) (b), 23.33 (6) (c), 23.33 (6) (d), 23.33 (6) (f), 23.33 (11) (am) 3. (intro.), 23.33 (11) (am) 3. a., 23.33 (11) (am) 3. c., 23.33 (11) (am) 3. e., 340.01 (2g), 340.01 (3) (a), 340.01 (3) (b), 340.01 (3) (c), 340.01 (3) (d), 340.01 (3) (dg), 340.01 (3) (dh), 340.01 (3) (dm) (intro.) and 340.01 (74); to repeal and recreate 23.33 (6) (a); to create 23.33 (1) (dr), 23.33 (1) (fb), 23.33 (1) (fc), 23.33 (1) (iq), 23.33 (1) (jb), 23.33 (1) (jh), 23.33 (4) (d) 8., 23.33 (6) (ar), 23.33 (7m), 23.33 (11m) (b), 23.33 (13) (g), 23.335 (1) (zde), 23.335 (9) (d), 340.01 (37r), 340.01 (73e), 350.01 (10a) and 350.10 (4) of the statutes; Relating to: operation of all-terrain and utility terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles, and snowmobiles and revision of the Department of Transportation highway maintenance manual.
AB329 makes a broad set of changes to Wisconsin law governing all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), utility terrain vehicles (UTVs), off-highway motorcycles (OHMs), and snowmobiles. The bill updates definitions, adds new categories for “patrol” vehicles used by law enforcement, fire, emergency medical, and related public safety entities, and expands when these vehicles may be treated as authorized emergency vehicles. It also revises equipment and safety rules for ATVs and UTVs, including requiring brake lights, requiring lights to be working and illuminated when operating, and clarifying that brakes must be functioning.
The bill expands where ATVs and UTVs may be operated in limited circumstances. It allows crossings of bridges, culverts, and railroad rights-of-way under local ordinances, removes the prior 1,000-foot bridge limitation for certain crossings, and authorizes operation on roadways for emergency purposes during a declared emergency. It also requires operators involved in accidents to render aid and provide identifying information, and it adds a penalty provision allowing treble damages and repair orders when careless, reckless, or negligent operation impairs another person’s property.
AB329 also updates the vehicle code to reflect these off-road vehicle categories and clarifies that ATVs, UTVs, OHMs, and snowmobiles are not “vehicles” except where statutes specifically apply. In addition, it directs the Department of Transportation to revise its highway maintenance manual so that short state trunk highway segments may not be categorically disallowed for ATV route or trail connections to businesses such as gas stations, grocery stores, and bars. Overall, the bill would broaden access and operational flexibility for off-road vehicles while imposing additional safety, equipment, and liability requirements.
The general sentiment reflected in the bill text is supportive of expanded off-road vehicle use and public-safety operations, with an emphasis on local control, emergency response, and route connectivity. Because there were no committee transcripts or recorded votes provided, there is no direct evidence here of debate or amendments, but the bill’s structure suggests a policy balance between access and safety. The most notable contention points are likely to be the expanded roadway-crossing authority, the DOT mandate to loosen route-approval restrictions near businesses, and the new treble-damages remedy for property damage caused by careless operation.
The bill would amend multiple sections of Wisconsin statutes in chapters 23, 340, and 350 governing conservation, vehicle definitions, and snowmobile/off-highway vehicle operation. It would create new statutory definitions for bridges, culverts, dune buggies, navigable waterways, and patrol versions of ATVs, UTVs, OHMs, and snowmobiles; revise operating rules, equipment requirements, and emergency exemptions; and add a new damages remedy for property impairment caused by careless, reckless, or negligent ATV/UTV operation. It would also require the Department of Transportation to change its highway maintenance manual to remove a restriction on short highway segments used to connect ATV routes or trails to nearby businesses.
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes, the overall sentiment appears favorable toward off-road recreation, local route access, and public-safety use of specialized vehicles. The bill is framed as a modernization and expansion measure rather than a restriction, with several provisions aimed at making ATV, UTV, OHM, and snowmobile operations more practical for emergency response and local connectivity. At the same time, the added safety and liability provisions indicate an effort to address concerns about misuse and property damage.
The likely points of contention are the bill’s expansion of where ATVs and UTVs may travel, especially crossings of bridges, culverts, and railroad rights-of-way and emergency use on roadways, which may raise safety and traffic concerns. Another likely dispute is the DOT directive to remove manual provisions that block short route connections to businesses, since that could be viewed as favoring access and tourism over highway management and local safety standards. The new treble-damages provision for property damage may also draw scrutiny from riders and advocacy groups concerned about increased civil liability, while landowners and local governments may support it as a stronger deterrent against careless operation.