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.
Sponsored By: Dan Feyen (Republican), Howard Marklein (Republican), Steve Nass (Republican), Rob Stafsholt (Republican)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Off-road drivers face stronger damage liability
ATV and UTV drivers cannot drive carelessly, recklessly, or negligently in ways that harm others or their property. For property damage from these violations, courts can award three times the damages to the person responsible for maintaining the property. Courts can also order restoration, rebuilding, repair, or replacement. After an accident, drivers must give practical, necessary help to save people or reduce danger, to the extent they can. They must also give their name, address, and vehicle identification to injured people and owners of damaged property.
Emergency responders gain off-road roadway access
ATVs and UTVs can use any roadway for emergency purposes during an emergency declared by the agency overseeing that roadway. Separately, some operating restrictions do not apply during emergencies or pursuits of actual or suspected law violators. That exception covers vehicles owned or leased by listed local, state, or federal agencies, federally recognized tribes, public safety corporations, or public utilities. It does not create a general right to use roadways for recreation.
More off-road vehicles gain emergency status
Specified ATVs, UTVs, off-highway motorcycles, and snowmobiles used by police and conservation wardens qualify as authorized emergency vehicles. Specified ATVs, UTVs, and snowmobiles used by fire departments and fire personnel also qualify. Fire personnel must be traveling to a fire or emergency call under a chief's or commanding officer's orders. The law also covers specified vehicles transporting transplant organs or medical staff for organ harvesting or transplantation. Private ATVs, UTVs, and snowmobiles qualify for business transport of medical equipment after a treating physician's or designee's emergency call, for implantation or urgent treatment immediately after transport.
Patrol riders gain limited traffic exceptions
Patrol ATVs, UTVs, off-highway motorcycles, and snowmobiles gain limited traffic exceptions during emergencies, emergency calls, and law-enforcement pursuits. They must be owned or leased by listed public entities, tribes, or public safety corporations and used for law enforcement, firefighting, or emergency medical response. They need sirens and red or red-and-white flashing lights; law enforcement can also use blue or blue-and-white lights. Required signals generally apply, and riders must slow for safety before passing red lights or stop signals. Officers can speed without signals only for specified speed-evidence or felony work when revealing their presence risks safety, escape, lost evidence, or ending a felony before enough evidence is gathered; all riders remain responsible for due care and reckless conduct.
Off-road riders gain longer bridge crossings
Local ordinances can allow ATVs, UTVs, and limited-use off-highway motorcycles to cross bridges beyond the former 1,000-foot limit. Interstate-system bridges remain excluded. At bridge, culvert, and railroad crossings, riders must stop before entering the roadway and yield to other roadway users. Crossings must take the most direct path without obstructions. Separately, a UTV counts as a vehicle only for purposes that state law specifically applies to UTVs.
Off-road owners face tighter equipment rules
ATVs need one headlamp and tail lamp; UTVs need two of each. UTV headlamps must be white and visible 200 feet ahead; tail lamps must be red and visible 500 feet behind. Required lamps must stay lit during operation, and drivers cannot operate with broken required lights or brakes. Both vehicle types need working brakes and brake lights, but ATVs made before January 1, 2016, need no brake light. ATVs and UTVs exceeding the legal width limit cannot operate except on private property.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Dan Feyen
Republican • Senate
Howard Marklein
Republican • Senate
Steve Nass
Republican • Senate
Rob Stafsholt
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Russell Goodwin
Democratic • House
Chanz Green
Republican • House
Dean Kaufert
Republican • House
Daniel Knodl
Republican • House
Paul Melotik
Republican • House
Jeffrey Mursau
Republican • House
Jerry O'Connor
Republican • House
Jim Piwowarczyk
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Published 3-21-2026
3/20/2026SenateReport approved by the Governor on 3-20-2026. 2025 Wisconsin Act 114
3/20/2026SenatePresented to the Governor on 3-18-2026
3/18/2026SenateReport correctly enrolled
2/20/2026SenateReceived from Assembly concurred in
2/13/2026SenateOrdered immediately messaged
2/12/2026HouseRead a third time and concurred in
2/12/2026HouseRules suspended
2/12/2026HouseOrdered to a third reading
2/12/2026HouseRead a second time
2/12/2026HouseRules suspended to withdraw from calendar and take up
2/12/2026HousePlaced on calendar 2-10-2026 by Committee on Rules
2/5/2026HouseRead first time and referred to committee on Rules
1/16/2026HouseReceived from Senate
10/14/2025HouseOrdered immediately messaged
10/14/2025SenateRead a third time and passed
10/14/2025SenateRules suspended to give bill its third reading
10/14/2025SenateOrdered to a third reading
10/14/2025SenateSenate Substitute Amendment 2 adopted
10/14/2025SenateSenate Substitute Amendment 1 withdrawn and returned to author
10/14/2025SenateRead a second time
10/14/2025SenatePlaced on calendar 10-14-2025 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
10/13/2025SenateSenate Substitute Amendment 2 offered by Senator Marklein
10/8/2025SenateAvailable for scheduling
9/30/2025SenateReport passage as amended recommended by Committee on Transportation and Local Government, Ayes 3, Noes 2
9/30/2025Senate
Bill Text
Senate Substitute Amendment 2
10/14/2025
Senate Substitute Amendment 1
9/30/2025
Bill Text
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