Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

Wisconsin Senate Bill SB331

Introduced

6/19/25

Refer

6/19/25

Report Pass

9/30/25

Engrossed

10/14/25

Refer

1/16/26

Enrolled

2/20/26

Chaptered

3/20/26

Passed

3/20/26

Caption

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.

Summary

SB331 revises Wisconsin law governing the operation of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), utility terrain vehicles (UTVs), off-highway motorcycles, and snowmobiles. The bill adds or updates definitions for several specialized vehicles, including patrol versions used by law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical responders, and it standardizes terminology across the statutes. It also updates equipment and safety requirements, such as lighting, braking, and width restrictions, and clarifies when these vehicles may be operated on roadways, bridges, culverts, and railroad crossings. The bill also creates new duties and enforcement provisions. It requires ATV and UTV operators involved in accidents to render practicable aid and provide identifying information, and it authorizes treble damages and repair orders when reckless operation causes property damage. For public-safety and emergency use, it creates express exemptions and special operating privileges for patrol ATVs, patrol UTVs, patrol off-highway motorcycles, and patrol snowmobiles, including limited authority to exceed speed limits or proceed through traffic controls under specified emergency or law-enforcement conditions. It also updates related vehicle definitions in the traffic code so these machines are treated consistently where statutes specifically apply to them.

Impact

SB331 amends multiple sections of Chapters 23, 340, and 350 of the Wisconsin Statutes, primarily affecting the regulation of off-road and winter recreational vehicles and their use by public agencies. It expands and clarifies the legal framework for ATV, UTV, off-highway motorcycle, and snowmobile operation, including roadway access, bridge crossings, lighting and brake requirements, accident duties, and penalties for reckless operation. The bill also creates new statutory categories for patrol vehicles and aligns traffic-law definitions so these vehicles are recognized in the vehicle code when statutes expressly apply.

Sentiment

The bill appears generally supportive of both recreational users and public-safety agencies, with a strong emphasis on clarifying existing rules rather than imposing broad new restrictions. Its structure suggests a technical, consensus-oriented update to vehicle operation laws, especially for emergency response and law-enforcement use. No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of opposition or debate in the available materials.

Contention

The most likely points of contention are the expanded roadway and bridge access rules for ATVs, UTVs, and off-highway motorcycles, and the special exemptions granted to patrol vehicles operated by law enforcement and emergency responders. Property owners and road authorities may be concerned about safety, liability, and local control, while recreational users may focus on whether the bill sufficiently preserves access. The new treble-damages remedy for property impairment and the emergency/pursuit exemptions for patrol vehicles are the provisions most likely to draw scrutiny, because they affect both enforcement discretion and civil liability.

Latest WI SB331 Activity

View All Events: WI 2025-2026 Regular Session SB331

Companion Bills

WI AB329

Crossfiled 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.

Previously Filed As

WI AB8

Cannabis: cannabinoids: industrial hemp.

WI AB2222

An act to amend Sections 17271, 23036, and 24343 of, and to add and repeal Sections 17053.76 and 23633 of, the Revenue and Taxation Code, relating to taxation, and making an appropriation therefor.

WI H4189

DHEC Restructuring

WI HB278

Regards the Treasurer of State

WI HB642

An Act to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-2499.8, 2.2-2818, 2.2-2905, 2.2-3114, 2.2-3711, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 2.2-3802, 2.2-4024, 3.2-4112, 3.2-4113, 3.2-4116, 3.2-4126, 3.2-5145.1, 3.2-5145.2:1, 3.2-5145.4, 4.1-103, 4.1-105, 4.1-352, 4.1-600, 4.1-601, 4.1-603, 4.1-604, 4.1-606, 4.1-607, 4.1-611, 4.1-614, 4.1-621, 4.1-1100, 4.1-1101, 4.1-1121, 4.1-1402, 4.1-1500, 4.1-1501, 4.1-1502, 4.1-1600 through 4.1-1603.2, 4.1-1604, 5.1-13, 9.1-1101, 15.2-912.4, 16.1-69.40:1, 16.1-260, 16.1-273, 16.1-278.9, 18.2-46.1, 18.2-247, 18.2-248, 18.2-248.01, 18.2-251, 18.2-251.03, 18.2-251.1:1, 18.2-251.1:2, 18.2-251.1:3, 18.2-252, 18.2-254, 18.2-255, 18.2-255.1, 18.2-255.2, 18.2-258, 18.2-258.02, 18.2-258.1, 18.2-265.1, 18.2-265.2, 18.2-265.3, 18.2-287.2, 18.2-308.012, 18.2-308.4, 18.2-371.2, 18.2-460, 18.2-474.1, 19.2-66, 19.2-81, 19.2-81.1, 19.2-83.1, 19.2-188.1, 19.2-303.01, 19.2-386.22 through 19.2-386.25, 19.2-389, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 19.2-389.3, 19.2-392.02, 19.2-392.6 and 19.2-392.12:1, as they shall become effective, 22.1-206, 22.1-277.08, 23.1-1301, 46.2-105.2, 46.2-347, 48-17.1, 53.1-231.2, 54.1-2903, 54.1-3401, 54.1-3443, 58.1-301, and 59.1-200 of the Code of Virginia; to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Subtitle II of Title 2.2 a part labeled D, containing a chapter numbered 61, consisting of a section numbered 2.2-6100, by adding in Chapter 6 of Title 4.1 sections numbered 4.1-629 and 4.1-630, by adding in Title 4.1 chapters numbered 7 through 10, consisting of sections numbered 4.1-700 through 4.1-1010, by adding sections numbered 4.1-1102 through 4.1-1105, 4.1-1106, 4.1-1106.1, 4.1-1113, 4.1-1114, 4.1-1115, 4.1-1117, 4.1-1118, and 4.1-1119, by adding in Title 4.1 a chapter numbered 12, consisting of sections numbered 4.1-1200 through 4.1-1206, by adding in Chapter 13 of Title 4.1 sections numbered 4.1-1300, 4.1-1301, and 4.1-1303 through 4.1-1309, by adding in Chapter 14 of Title 4.1 sections numbered 4.1-1403 through 4.1-1407, by adding a section numbered 4.1-1602.1, by adding in Title 4.1 a chapter numbered 17, consisting of sections numbered 4.1-1700 through 4.1-1705, by adding in Article 2 of Chapter 1 of Title 6.2 a section numbered 6.2-108, and by adding in Chapter 44 of Title 54.1 a section numbered 54.1-4426; and to repeal Article 4 (§§ 3.2-4122 through 3.2-4126) of Chapter 41.1 of Title 3.2 and §§ 3.2-5145.4:1, 4.1-1101.1, 4.1-1105.1, 18.2-248.1, and 18.2-251.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to cannabis control; retail market; penalties.

WI AB102

An act to amend the Budget Act of 2025 by amending Items 0130-021-0001, 0250-012-0932, 0250-015-0001, 0250-101-0001, 0250-101-0932, 0509-001-0001, 0509-491, 0511-001-0001, 0515-001-0001, 0515-001-0299, 0515-001-0317, 0515-001-3036, 0515-001-3153, 0515-001-3363, 0540-001-6088, 0540-490, 0540-491, 0540-495, 0650-495, 0680-001-0001, 0680-102-0001, 0690-001-0022, 0690-101-0022, 0690-105-0001, 0690-495, 0820-001-0001, 0845-001-0001, 0890-001-0001, 0950-001-0001, 0957-011-3403, 1111-001-0069, 1111-001-0108, 1111-001-0152, 1111-001-0264, 1111-001-0280, 1111-001-0310, 1111-001-0319, 1111-001-0326, 1111-001-0376, 1111-001-0704, 1111-001-0706, 1111-001-0735, 1111-001-0741, 1111-001-0757, 1111-001-0758, 1111-001-0759, 1111-001-0761, 1111-001-0763, 1111-001-0767, 1111-001-0770, 1111-001-0773, 1111-001-0775, 1111-001-0777, 1111-001-0779, 1111-001-3017, 1111-001-3140, 1111-002-0239, 1111-002-0305, 1111-002-0400, 1111-002-0421, 1111-002-0582, 1111-002-0702, 1111-002-0717, 1111-002-3122, 1111-002-3438, 1115-001-3288, 1701-001-3363, 1703-001-0001, 1703-001-3372, 2240-001-0001, 2660-001-0042, 2660-108-0001, 2720-002-0001, 3340-491, 3480-492, 3540-001-0001, 3540-001-3228, 3540-006-0001, 3540-491, 3540-492, 3790-001-0516, 3790-002-0001, 3790-301-0392, 3860-490, 3860-495, 3940-001-3058, 4140-001-0001, 4140-001-3436, 4140-101-0001, 4140-102-0001, 4170-101-3098, 4170-102-0942, 4260-001-0001, 4260-001-0890, 4260-001-3085, 4260-101-0001, 4260-101-0890, 4260-101-3085, 4260-101-3311, 4260-116-3397, 4265-001-0001, 4265-001-0231, 4265-001-3385, 4265-004-0001, 4265-111-0001, 4265-111-0231, 4265-111-3385, 4265-490, 4300-101-0001, 4440-301-0001, 4560-101-3085, 4800-101-3381, 5180-001-0001, 5180-001-0890, 5180-101-0001, 5180-101-0890, 5180-141-0001, 5180-141-0890, 5180-151-0001, 5180-151-0890, 5180-492, 5180-495, 5225-001-0001, 5225-002-0001, 5225-008-0001, 5225-017-0001, 5225-024-0001, 6100-001-0001, 6100-110-0001, 6100-136-0890, 6100-161-0890, 6100-194-0001, 6100-196-0001, 6100-296-0001, 6100-488, 6120-011-0001, 6360-001-0001, 6360-001-0407, 6440-001-0001, 6440-005-0001, 6610-001-0001, 6645-496, 6870-101-0001, 6870-488, 6980-101-0001, 7100-001-0001, 7100-011-0890, 7100-021-0890, 7120-101-0001, 7120-490, 7350-001-0223, 7350-001-0396, 7350-001-0452, 7350-001-0453, 7350-001-0514, 7350-001-0571, 7350-001-3002, 7350-001-3022, 7350-001-3078 7350-001-3121, 7350-001-3150, 7350-001-3152, 7350-101-3078, 7501-001-0001, 7730-001-0001, 7760-001-0001, 7760-001-0002, 8140-101-0001, 8260-001-0001, 8570-001-0001, 8570-490, 8570-491, 8660-495, 8860-001-0001, 8940-001-0001, 9210-110-0001, 9800-001-0001, 9800-001-0494, and 9800-001-0988 of, repealing Items 0509-495, 3900-102-0115, 4140-001-3447, 6120-211-0890, and 7120-101-3078 of, and adding Items 0509-101-0001, 0509-102-0001, 0511-002-0001, 0540-003-6093, 0540-103-0001, 0559-002-0001, 0680-101-0001, 0690-005-0001, 0690-104-0001, 0690-490, 0845-002-0001, 0954-490, 0977-401, 2240-107-0001, 2240-120-0001, 2660-101-0001, 2720-002-0044, 3100-490, 3125-001-6093, 3540-101-0001, 3600-002-0001, 3760-001-6093, 3790-003-0392, 3790-009-6093, 3790-012-0001, 3790-301-0001, 3810-002-6093, 3810-101-0001, 3825-002-6093, 3845-001-6093, 3855-002-6093, 3860-005-6093, 3900-011-3228, 3900-101-0001, 3940-102-0001, 3970-101-0001, 4140-491, 4265-012-0001, 4265-112-0001, 4265-401, 4265-493, 5227-105-0001, 6100-222-0001, 6120-490, 6125-490, 6980-495, 7730-490, 7760-101-0001, 8955-101-3313, and 8955-112-0001 to, Section 2.

WI AB104

An act to amend the Budget Act of 2025 (Chapters 4 and 5 of the Statutes of 2025) by amending Items 0540-103-0001, 0690-301-0001, 0977-401, 1700-001-0001, 3125-301-0140, 3125-301-6088, 3540-001-0001, 3790-111-0577, 3825-002-6088, 3970-492, 5180-101-0890, 5180-151-0001, 5180-151-0890, 6100-107-0001, 6440-001-0001, 6610-001-0001, 6870-101-0001, 6870-194-0001, and 7760-101-0001 of, adding Items 3340-490, 5225-493, 5225-494, 6100-492, and 6870-403 to, repealing Item 3125-301-0720 of, Section 2.

WI SB1167

An act to amend Section 51860 of the Education Code, to amend Sections 26300 and 26302 26300, 26302, 26303, and 26304 of the Health and Safety Code, to amend Section 4442 of the Public Resources Code, and to amend Sections 312.5, 405, 406, 407.5, 426, 472, 672, 4020, 5030, 5031, 5032, 5033, 5034, 5035, 5036, 5037, 5038, 5039, 12500, 12509, 12509.5, 12804.9, 12814.6, 21113, 21201.3, 21203, 21207.5, 21209, 21712, 21960, 22651.08, 23135, 23330, 24015, 24951, 25650, 27800, 27802, 27803, 38012, 38366, 38505, and 38601 of, to amend the heading of Article 8.1 (commencing with Section 5030) of Chapter 1 of Division 3 of, to add Section 21065 to, and to add Article 7.5 (commencing with Section 27850) to Chapter 5 of Division 12 of, the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles.

WI HF2599

A bill for an act relating to the right of access for persons with disabilities and service animals and modifying penalties.(Formerly HF 2333.)

WI SB506

Transportation: omnibus bill.

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