An Act to amend 347.25 (3) of the statutes; Relating to: authorized lights for funeral procession vehicles.
Summary
SB288 would amend Wisconsin law governing funeral processions to allow a flashing purple light, in addition to the currently authorized flashing amber light, on the lead vehicle in a funeral procession. The bill also preserves the existing rule that if any vehicle in the procession is equipped, then all vehicles in the procession must be so equipped. The light may be used only during the procession.
The measure is narrow and technical, focused on a single traffic-safety and ceremonial provision in section 347.25(3) of the Wisconsin statutes. It does not create a new permitting system or change who may participate in a funeral procession; it simply expands the list of permitted warning/identification lights for procession vehicles.
Impact
If enacted, SB288 would amend Wisconsin Statutes section 347.25(3) to add purple as an authorized flashing light for funeral procession vehicles, alongside amber. The practical effect would be to give funeral homes, procession organizers, and participating drivers another lawful lighting option for identifying procession vehicles, while leaving the existing procession-only use restriction in place. Because the bill is limited to this one subsection, its legal impact is confined to vehicle equipment rules for funeral processions and does not broadly alter traffic law.
Sentiment
The available record suggests the bill was generally straightforward and noncontroversial in concept, with no committee transcript or recorded vote information available to indicate opposition or debate. Its introduction by a bipartisan group of senators and representatives suggests at least some cross-party interest in the proposal. However, the bill ultimately failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1, so despite its limited scope, it did not become law.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials, and there are no committee transcripts or votes to show formal objections. If any concerns existed, they would likely have centered on whether expanding authorized procession lighting was necessary, whether purple lights could create confusion with other vehicle lighting conventions, or whether the change should be limited to certain vehicles or circumstances. The record provided does not identify any particular legislator, stakeholder, or agency as opposing the bill.
An Act Concerning Lights On Vehicles, Penalties For Violations Of Certain Statutes, Stops And Searches, A Phlebotomy Program Study, Inspections Of Certain Vehicles, Traffic Safety Corridors And A Pilot Program To Equip Police Vehicles With Certain Devices.
In abandoned vehicles and cargos, further providing for notice to owner and lienholders of abandoned vehicles, for authorization for disposal of unclaimed vehicles and for processing of nonrepairable or salvage vehicles.