Wisconsin Assembly Bill AB83

Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/28/25
• Refer: 2/28/25
• Failed: 3/23/26

Caption

An Act to amend 20.931 (title); to create 20.931 (1) (am) and 20.931 (3) of the statutes; Relating to: governmental restrictions based on the energy source of a motor vehicle or other device.

Summary

Assembly Bill 83 would prohibit state agencies and local governmental units from restricting the use or sale of a motor vehicle based on the energy source that powers it. That includes energy used for propulsion as well as energy used for other vehicle functions. The bill also extends the same prohibition to other devices, barring government restrictions on the use or sale of devices based on the energy source they use or consume. The bill amends Wisconsin Statutes section 20.931, retitling it from “Prohibited boycotts” to “Prohibited governmental actions” and adding a new subsection specifically addressing energy-source-based restrictions. It defines “motor vehicle” broadly as a self-propelled device designed to transport persons or property. The bill expressly states that it does not affect government policies related to purchasing motor vehicles for use by the state or a local government, preserving procurement discretion for public fleets.

Impact

AB83 would limit the regulatory authority of state and local governments by preventing them from adopting or enforcing bans, restrictions, or similar measures that discriminate among vehicles or devices based on whether they are powered by gasoline, diesel, electricity, or another energy source. In practice, this could constrain local climate, emissions, or electrification policies that target specific propulsion technologies, while leaving government purchasing decisions for its own fleet unaffected. The bill would modify and expand existing law in section 20.931 to cover energy-source-based restrictions more broadly than the current title suggests.

Sentiment

The available context suggests the bill was introduced by a large group of Republican legislators and cosponsored by several Republican senators, indicating support from lawmakers concerned about preserving consumer choice and limiting government intervention in vehicle and device markets. No committee transcript or recorded vote is provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate or amendment activity in the supplied materials. The bill ultimately failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1, showing that it did not advance to enactment despite its introduction.

Contention

The main point of contention is likely whether state and local governments should be allowed to steer markets away from certain energy sources, especially in the context of electric vehicles, emissions policy, and local climate initiatives. Supporters would view the bill as preventing government overreach and protecting the ability to buy and use vehicles regardless of fuel type. Opponents would likely argue that it limits local control and could interfere with efforts to reduce pollution or accelerate the transition to cleaner transportation technologies. The bill’s broad reach to “any other device” powered or consumed by an energy source could also raise questions about how far the restriction would extend beyond motor vehicles.