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Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Sen. Marklein authors Wisconsin Senate bill on atv and utv regulations

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Howard Marklein Wisconsin State Senator (District 17) | Official Facebook

Howard Marklein Wisconsin State Senator (District 17) | Official Facebook

This proposed legislation authored by State Sen. Marklein aims to clarify the classification and regulatory status of out-of-state atvs and utvs within Wisconsin, according to the Wisconsin State Senate.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "all-terrain vehicles and utility terrain vehicles with out-of-state registrations".

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill clarifies the status of out-of-state registered vehicles in Wisconsin as all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) or utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) based on state definitions, making them subject to state regulations for ATVs and UTVs. Vehicles not meeting these definitions cannot be operated on public ATV trails or routes. It modifies the definition of "public all-terrain vehicle corridor" to include ATV routes and "hybrid trails," which integrate ATV routes and trails. Additionally, it specifies that a UTV is not classified as a "vehicle" under motor vehicle regulations unless specifically mentioned in statute. These changes affect statutory chapters 340 to 351.

The bill was co-authored by Representative Jeffrey Mursau (Republican-36th District), Senator Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (Democrat-18th District), Senator Brad Pfaff (Democrat-32nd District), and Senator Patrick Testin (Republican-24th District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Barbara Dittrich (Republican-99th District), Representative Cindi Duchow (Republican-97th District), and Representative Nate L. Gustafson (Republican-55th District).

Howard L. Marklein has authored or co-authored another 33 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.

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.

Bills Introduced by Howard L. Marklein in Wisconsin Senate During 2025 Regular Session

Bill NumberDate IntroducedShort Description
SB22104/25/2025All-terrain vehicles and utility terrain vehicles with out-of-state registrations
SB22004/25/2025Residency requirements for persons circulating nomination papers or recall petitions
SB20304/16/2025Regulation 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)
SB18304/14/2025Reimbursement 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)
SB18204/14/2025Emergency medical services education, tuition and materials reimbursement for emergency medical responders and emergency medical services practitioners, and a live 911 pilot program. (FE)
SB18104/14/2025A levy limit exemption for regional emergency medical systems and eligibility for the expenditure restraint incentive program. (FE)
SB17204/03/2025Prohibiting filing or recording contracts for services or materials that do not improve real estate and providing a penalty. (FE)
SB17004/03/2025Rehired annuitants in the Wisconsin Retirement System. (FE)
SB16804/03/2025Changing 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)
SB16003/27/2025Designating the Tom Diehl Memorial Highway. (FE)
SB12603/14/2025The effective date of certain provisions contained in 2023 Wisconsin Act 126
SB9603/07/2025Exempting certain electric vehicle charging stations located at a residence from the electric vehicle charging tax. (FE)
SB8402/26/2025Exempting certain conveyances between grandparents and grandchildren from the real estate transfer fee. (FE)
SB301/24/2025Requiring local approval for certain wind and solar projects before Public Service Commission approval

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