Transportation (Traffic Safety)

vetoed · Wisconsin · Assembly May 13, 2026

AB 882: Relating to: town authority over the water elevation of an artificial water body created by a dam and recourse due to damage caused by an obstructed waterway.

AB 882 allows towns to set maximum water levels for artificial water bodies (like ponds or reservoirs behind dams) if high water saturates road beds. It specifically enables town boards to require lower water elevations when a dam's operation threatens road safety. The bill also clarifies that landowners damaged by flooding from negligent obstruction of waterways can demand removal of the obstruction by giving written notice to the responsible party. These changes directly affect towns managing water infrastructure and landowners impacted by water-related damage.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enables towns to set water levels to prevent road bed saturation from high water, directly enhancing road safety and infrastructure protection.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

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signed · Wisconsin · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 392: Relating to: driver education instruction related to school bus safety.

SB 392 requires all driver education courses to include specific safety instruction about school buses. It mandates teaching students how to properly cross in front of school buses, recognize school bus lights, and understand when drivers must stop for stopped school buses - including how road design affects these rules. This applies to all driver education courses starting on the bill's effective date. The law directly affects driver education curricula and students learning road safety.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates safety curriculum in driver education to improve student road safety, directly enhancing educational content for K-12 students.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates school bus safety education in driver courses, enhancing road safety standards per transportation topic description.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety School Transportation Driver Licensing Public Transit Traffic Safety

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 371: Relating to: the use of speed safety camera systems and traffic control photographic systems in a first class city and providing a penalty. (FE)

AB 371 allows first-class cities to use automated red-light cameras at intersections with high accident rates (1.0+ annually over 5 years). It requires cities to place warning signs, capture images focused on license plates from behind, and limit camera use to no more than five intersections per city council district. Vehicle owners, not drivers, are liable for violations (like running red lights), with fines collected funding traffic safety programs - not general city budgets. Exceptions include stolen vehicles (reported within 7 days) or rentals/dealerships that provide lessee/operator details.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enables automated cameras at high-accident intersections to improve road safety, funds traffic safety programs with violation fines, directly enhancing transportation safety standards.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 332: Relating to: requiring vehicles to stop for pedestrians at certain intersections and crosswalks.

AB 332 requires drivers to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks at intersections with traffic signals or when pedestrians have begun crossing on a green signal. It applies to all vehicles, including those turning, and affects pedestrians, bicyclists, and riders of e-scooters or mobility devices. The bill clarifies that drivers must yield and remain stopped until the pedestrian or device has safely crossed, whether at signaled intersections or unmarked crosswalks. It also specifies that pedestrians may not suddenly enter a vehicle's path, and drivers must yield to all crossing users during turns on red signals.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates driver stops for pedestrians at crosswalks, enhancing road safety and pedestrian protection in transportation infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety Traffic Safety

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 508: Relating to: owner liability for illegally passing a school bus and providing a penalty.

SB 508 allows school buses to install cameras to record drivers illegally passing them. Bus operators or third-party vendors can submit photo/video evidence of violations to traffic officers, who can then issue fines. The bill establishes fines of $30-$500 for drivers who pass school buses illegally, with no license suspension or demerit points added to driving records. It directly affects drivers who violate school bus stop laws, creating a new process for evidence-based enforcement.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProtects student safety during school bus transportation, a key aspect of educational access and K-12 safety protocols.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEnhances road safety by enabling camera evidence for school bus passing violations, establishing fines to deter dangerous driving near schools.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety School Transportation Driver Licensing Public Transit Traffic Safety

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 653: Relating to: a local intersection safety program and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 653 creates a state-funded program to improve safety at high-risk intersections. It directs the Department of Transportation to provide local governments (cities and counties) with funding for safety upgrades at signalized and stop-sign intersections with excessive crash rates. The program prioritizes intersections in the 10% of counties with the worst crash records from 2019-2024 data, using $6 million in new annual funding. This directly affects local governments managing highways by enabling them to apply for grants or reimbursements for intersection safety improvements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $6M annual funding for intersection safety program, directly increasing state budget for public safety infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds $6M annual safety upgrades at high-risk intersections, directly enhancing transportation safety infrastructure per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Pedestrian Safety Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 455: Relating to: eligibility for an occupational license for individuals with four or more convictions of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.

SB 455 permanently revokes driving privileges for individuals with four or more convictions for operating a vehicle while intoxicated (DUI), with a 15-year gap between convictions allowing reinstatement. It prohibits applicants from obtaining an occupational license (for essential work driving) during the first 180 days after the permanent revocation takes effect. After 10 years of the revocation period, individuals may apply for full license reinstatement under separate procedures. The bill specifically targets repeat DUI offenders by tightening license eligibility rules without altering ignition interlock device requirements for those who previously held licenses.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill restricts driving privileges for repeat DUI offenders to enhance road safety, aligning with transportation safety standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 72: Relating to: ratification of the Driver License Compact. (FE)

Assembly Bill 72 (AB 72) proposes that the state join the Driver License Compact, an agreement among states to share information about driving offenses. This directly affects drivers who operate vehicles in different states and the state's motor vehicle licensing authority. Under this compact, states would report convictions for motor vehicle violations to a driver's home state. The home state would then apply its own laws regarding license suspension, revocation, or limitation, giving the same effect to certain serious out-of-state offenses (like DUI or vehicular manslaughter) as if they occurred within its borders. Additionally, it would prevent individuals with suspended or revoked licenses from another compact state from obtaining a new license until the original suspension or revocation period has ended.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances transportation safety by enabling cross-state enforcement of driving violations through the Driver License Compact, ensuring consistent license penalties for offenders.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 434: Relating to: local traffic calming grants and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 434 creates a new $60 million annual state grant program to fund local traffic calming projects. It directly affects counties, cities, villages, towns, and federally recognized tribes by providing funding for infrastructure projects designed to reduce vehicle speeds. The program, administered by the Department of Transportation, will award grants for projects eligible under federal transportation alternatives programs. Grants require applications with specified details, and the department will set evaluation criteria for funding decisions. This is a concrete policy change establishing ongoing state funding for community safety improvements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates $60M annual appropriation for traffic calming infrastructure grants, directly funding public services through state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill creates $60M annual grant program for local traffic calming projects to reduce vehicle speeds, directly funding transportation infrastructure and enhancing safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety Traffic Safety

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 29: Relating to: impoundment of vehicles used in certain traffic offenses.

AB 29 allows police to seize (impound) vehicles used in specific traffic violations, such as a second speeding offense exceeding 25 mph over the limit, repeated DUI-related violations, or reckless driving. It directly affects drivers convicted of these offenses, requiring vehicles to be held for 90 days unless released earlier through owner request (if they didn’t operate the vehicle during the violation) or court order. Owners can petition a court for immediate release within 30 days if charges are dismissed or if they prove ownership and lack of consent during the violation. If convicted, courts may adjust the impound period, and drivers must cover law enforcement’s reasonable impoundment costs.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates vehicle impoundment for repeat traffic offenses, increasing penalties without reform measures, aligning with indicators of expanding criminalization.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances traffic safety by mandating vehicle impoundment for severe violations like repeated speeding and reckless driving, strengthening road safety regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Policing Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

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