A new bill authored by State Sen. Marklein seeks to expand and amend laws governing all-terrain and utility terrain vehicles in Wisconsin, according to the Wisconsin State Senate.
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature’s official website, the bill was described as follows: “operation of all-terrain and utility terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles, and snowmobiles and revision of the Department of Transportation highway maintenance manual”.
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill seeks to amend and expand existing laws related to the operation of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), utility terrain vehicles (UTVs), off-highway motorcycles (OHMs), and snowmobiles in Wisconsin. It prohibits careless, reckless, or negligent operation of ATVs and UTVs, allowing for treble damages and property restoration if property is impaired. The bill removes the 1,000-foot restriction for crossing bridges, culverts, and railroad rights-of-way and mandates working brake lights on ATVs and UTVs. Operators must provide aid after an accident. Emergency use provisions allow ATVs and UTVs on any roadway during declared emergencies. The bill classifies these vehicles as emergency vehicles for specific government agencies. Patrol definitions for these vehicles are introduced, exempting them from certain operational limits when responding to emergencies. The Department of Transportation is directed to revise its highway maintenance manual, particularly removing stipulations against state highway use for ATV routes connecting to businesses. The bill becomes effective upon enactment.
The bill was co-authored by Representative Jeffrey Mursau (Republican-36th District), Senator Dan Feyen (Republican-20th District), Senator Steve L. Nass (Republican-11th District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Russell Goodwin (Democrat-12th District), Representative Chanz J. Green (Republican-74th District), and Representative Dean Kaufert (Republican-53rd District), along two other co-sponsors.
Howard L. Marklein has authored or co-authored another 48 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with all of them being adopted.
Marklein graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater in 1976 with a BBA.
Marklein, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2015 to represent the state’s 17th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Dale Schultz.
In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| SB331 | 06/19/2025 | Operation of all-terrain and utility terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles, and snowmobiles and revision of the Department of Transportation highway maintenance manual |
| SB291 | 05/30/2025 | Making certain child care expenditures eligible for the business development tax credit. (FE) |
| SB286 | 05/30/2025 | Workforce housing and childcare awards under the business development tax credit. (FE) |
| SB236 | 05/09/2025 | Tampering with telecommunication or electric wires and providing a penalty |
| SB226 | 04/25/2025 | Determination of where a defendant resides or does substantial business for purposes of venue |
| SB221 | 04/25/2025 | All-terrain vehicles and utility terrain vehicles with out-of-state registrations |
| SB220 | 04/25/2025 | Residency requirements for persons circulating nomination papers or recall petitions |
| SB203 | 04/16/2025 | Regulation of pharmacy benefit managers, fiduciary and disclosure requirements on pharmacy benefit managers, and application of prescription drug payments to health insurance cost-sharing requirements. (FE) |
| SB183 | 04/14/2025 | Reimbursement of emergency services under the Medical Assistance program when a patient is not transported, reporting on changes to the scope of practice of emergency medical responders and emergency medical services practitioners, and eligibility for the expenditure restraint incentive program. (FE) |
| SB182 | 04/14/2025 | Emergency medical services education, tuition and materials reimbursement for emergency medical responders and emergency medical services practitioners, and a live 911 pilot program. (FE) |
| SB181 | 04/14/2025 | A levy limit exemption for regional emergency medical systems and eligibility for the expenditure restraint incentive program. (FE) |
| SB172 | 04/03/2025 | Prohibiting filing or recording contracts for services or materials that do not improve real estate and providing a penalty. (FE) |
| SB170 | 04/03/2025 | Rehired annuitants in the Wisconsin Retirement System. (FE) |
| SB168 | 04/03/2025 | Changing the conditions of liability for worker’s compensation benefits for emergency medical responders, emergency medical services practitioners, volunteer firefighters, correctional officers, emergency dispatchers, coroners and coroner staff, and medical examiners and medical examiner staff. (FE) |
| SB160 | 03/27/2025 | Designating the Tom Diehl Memorial Highway. (FE) |
| SB126 | 03/14/2025 | The effective date of certain provisions contained in 2023 Wisconsin Act 126 |
