An Act to renumber and amend 347.475 (1); to amend 347.475 (2) and 347.50 (2); to create 347.475 (1) (b) to (d), 347.475 (5), 347.475 (6) and 347.50 (2e) of the statutes; Relating to: nonfunctional and counterfeit airbags and providing a penalty.
Sponsored By: Howard Marklein (Republican), Steve Nass (Republican), Van Wanggaard (Republican)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Airbag violators face fines and felonies
A first airbag violation carries a fine of up to $5,000, up to one year in prison, or both. A second or later violation is a Class I felony. A violation causing bodily harm is a Class H felony; one causing great bodily harm is a Class G felony. A violation causing death is a Class F felony.
Unsafe and fake airbags face bans
Wisconsin protects vehicle occupants by banning the import, manufacture, sale, offer for sale, installation, reinstallation, and distribution of deployed, nonworking, or counterfeit airbags. Nonworking replacement airbags include damaged or deployed airbags and those with electrical faults detected by the vehicle’s diagnostic system after installation. They also include parts meant to falsely suggest a working airbag is installed and airbags barred from sale by federal law. Counterfeit replacement airbags or parts bear unauthorized marks substantially similar to those of genuine carmakers or their parts suppliers. Vehicles with deployed airbags can still be sold or transferred unless the deployment is hidden or disguised.
Limited airbag exceptions protect vehicle sellers
The airbag bans exempt airbag installation, reinstallation, and replacement in vehicles used only for police work. They also exempt dealers, dealer owners or employees, and vehicle owners who did not know before sale that an airbag or component was counterfeit or nonworking. A vehicle’s title can be transferred to an insurer to settle a claim after the insurer declares an actual or constructive total loss. Insurers, salvage yards, and others are exempt when selling, recycling, or disposing of vehicles as authorized by law or regulation.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Howard Marklein
Republican • Senate
Steve Nass
Republican • Senate
Van Wanggaard
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Elijah Behnke
Republican • House
Barbara Dittrich
Republican • House
Jenna Jacobson
Democratic • House
Rob Kreibich
Republican • House
Dave Maxey
Republican • House
Paul Melotik
Republican • House
Vincent Miresse
Democratic • House
William Penterman
Republican • House
Jim Piwowarczyk
Republican • House
Melissa Ratcliff
Democratic • Senate
Christine Sinicki
Democratic • House
Lisa Subeck
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Published 3-14-2026
3/13/2026SenateReport approved by the Governor on 3-13-2026. 2025 Wisconsin Act 97
3/13/2026SenatePresented to the Governor on 3-12-2026
3/12/2026SenateRepresentative J. Jacobson added as a cosponsor
2/9/2026SenateReport correctly enrolled
1/20/2026SenateReceived from Assembly concurred in
1/16/2026SenateOrdered immediately messaged
1/15/2026HouseRead a third time and concurred in
1/15/2026HouseRules suspended
1/15/2026HouseOrdered to a third reading
1/15/2026HouseRead a second time
1/15/2026HouseRules suspended to withdraw from calendar and take up
1/15/2026HousePlaced on calendar 1-15-2026 by Committee on Rules
1/13/2026HouseRead first time and referred to committee on Rules
1/12/2026HouseRepresentative Penterman added as a cosponsor
1/12/2026HouseReceived from Senate
11/19/2025HouseOrdered immediately messaged
11/18/2025SenateRead a third time and passed
11/18/2025SenateRules suspended to give bill its third reading
11/18/2025SenateOrdered to a third reading
11/18/2025SenateRead a second time
11/18/2025SenateSenator Ratcliff added as a coauthor
11/18/2025SenatePlaced on calendar 11-18-2025 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
11/14/2025SenateAvailable for scheduling
11/12/2025SenateReport passage recommended by Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, Ayes 8, Noes 0
11/12/2025Senate
Bill Text
Bill Text
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