WisconsinAB782025-2026 Wisconsin Legislature (Biennial Session)House

An Act to amend 349.115 (1) and 349.115 (3); to create 349.115 (1m) of the statutes; Relating to: impoundment of vehicles used in certain reckless driving offenses. (FE)

Sponsored By: Scott Allen (Republican), Barbara Dittrich (Republican), Bob Donovan (Republican), Cindi Duchow (Republican), Russell Goodwin (Democratic), Rick Gundrum (Republican), Daniel Knodl (Republican), Dave Maxey (Republican), Paul Melotik (Republican), David Murphy (Republican), Jeffrey Mursau (Republican), Todd Novak (Republican), Jerry O'Connor (Republican), Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (Democratic), William Penterman (Republican), Jim Piwowarczyk (Republican), Jessie Rodriguez (Republican), David Steffen (Republican), Paul Tittl (Republican), Ron Tusler (Republican), Chuck Wichgers (Republican)

Became Law

ForfeitureMotor vehicle -- RegulationMotor vehicle -- TheftOrdinancePolice

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Reckless driving impounds; stolen cars returned

Local governments can pass an ordinance to impound a car used in reckless driving when the cited person owns the car and still owes a forfeiture from a past reckless‑driving conviction. The car can stay impounded until the owner pays the old forfeiture, towing and storage costs, and any other unpaid fines or forfeitures. Officers must check if an impounded car was reported stolen and try to contact the owner. If it was reported stolen, the owner gets the car back without any fees. If a reported‑stolen car is not claimed within 60 days, the local government may dispose of it under abandoned‑vehicle rules. For other impounded cars, if no one claims the car within 90 days after the citation is resolved, the local government may dispose of it under abandoned‑vehicle rules.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Scott Allen

    Republican • House

  • Barbara Dittrich

    Republican • House

  • Bob Donovan

    Republican • House

  • Cindi Duchow

    Republican • House

  • Russell Goodwin

    Democratic • House

  • Rick Gundrum

    Republican • House

  • Daniel Knodl

    Republican • House

  • Dave Maxey

    Republican • House

  • Paul Melotik

    Republican • House

  • David Murphy

    Republican • House

  • Jeffrey Mursau

    Republican • House

  • Todd Novak

    Republican • House

  • Jerry O'Connor

    Republican • House

  • Sylvia Ortiz-Velez

    Democratic • House

  • William Penterman

    Republican • House

  • Jim Piwowarczyk

    Republican • House

  • Jessie Rodriguez

    Republican • House

  • David Steffen

    Republican • House

  • Paul Tittl

    Republican • House

  • Ron Tusler

    Republican • House

  • Chuck Wichgers

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Jill Billings

    Democratic • House

  • Brienne Brown

    Democratic • House

  • Tim Carpenter

    Democratic • Senate

  • Steve Doyle

    Democratic • House

  • Jodi Emerson

    Democratic • House

  • Cory Tomczyk

    Republican • Senate

  • Van Wanggaard

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Representative Emerson added as a coauthor

    3/19/2026House
  2. Representative Billings added as a coauthor

    3/10/2026House
  3. Representative Brown added as a coauthor

    3/6/2026House
  4. Representative Doyle added as a coauthor

    1/23/2026House
  5. Published 11-1-2025

    10/31/2025House
  6. Report approved by the Governor on 10-31-2025. 2025 Wisconsin Act 46

    10/31/2025House
  7. Presented to the Governor on 10-29-2025

    10/29/2025House
  8. Report correctly enrolled on 10-15-2025

    10/15/2025House
  9. Action ordered immediately messaged

    10/14/2025House
  10. Senate Amendment 1 concurred in

    10/14/2025House
  11. Received from Senate amended and concurred in as amended (Senate Amendment 1 adopted)

    10/14/2025House
  12. Ordered immediately messaged

    10/14/2025Senate
  13. Read a third time and concurred in as amended

    10/14/2025Senate
  14. Ordered to a third reading

    10/14/2025Senate
  15. Rules suspended to give bill its third reading

    10/14/2025Senate
  16. Senate Amendment 1 adopted

    10/14/2025Senate
  17. Read a second time

    10/14/2025Senate
  18. Placed on calendar 10-14-2025 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)

    10/13/2025Senate
  19. Public hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2

    10/13/2025Senate
  20. Senate Amendment 1 offered by Senator Wanggaard

    10/13/2025Senate
  21. Available for scheduling

    4/15/2025Senate
  22. Report concurrence recommended by Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, Ayes 7, Noes 1

    4/15/2025Senate
  23. Executive action taken

    4/15/2025Senate
  24. Senator Carpenter added as a cosponsor

    3/24/2025Senate
  25. Read first time and referred to committee on Judiciary and Public Safety

    3/14/2025Senate

Bill Text

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