SB354: Bill Text

LRB-3660/1

EVM:cdc

2023 - 2024 LEGISLATURE

2023 Senate BILL 354

July 13, 2023 - Introduced by Senators James, Hesselbein, Ballweg, Roys and Spreitzer, cosponsored by Representatives S. Johnson, Penterman, Andraca, Considine, Joers, Ohnstad and Sinicki. Referred to Committee on Transportation and Local Government.

SB354,1,3 An Act to amend 343.16 (3) (a); and to create 38.04 (4) (e) 9., 115.28 (11) (h), 343.16 (1) (a) 2. am., 343.16 (3) (c) and 343.71 (5) (i) of the statutes; relating to: driver education and testing related to school bus safety.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, most operator's licenses issued by the Department of Transportation must be renewed every eight years. In general, an applicant for renewal of an operator's license must pass an eyesight test and have his or her photograph taken. Under this bill, an applicant for renewal must also complete a verbal school bus safety examination that includes a test of the applicant's awareness of the hazards posed by other motor vehicles to school buses and passengers loading onto or unloading from school buses and of the statutes that require motorists to stop when a school bus is displaying flashing lights. The applicant's performance on the examination does not affect whether or not the applicant's license is renewed and, to the extent feasible, DOT must ensure that the examination does not extend the time necessary to compete the renewal procedure.

Currently, applicants for an initial operator's license must generally complete a knowledge test and driving skills test. The bill specifies that the knowledge test administered to these applicants must include material testing the applicant's knowledge of the hazards posed by other motor vehicles to school buses and passengers loading onto or unloading from school buses and of the provisions of the statutes that require motorists to stop when a school bus is displaying flashing lights.

Also under the bill, driver education courses offered by school districts, technical colleges, and licensed private driver schools must provide instruction in the the hazards posed by other motor vehicles to school buses and passengers loading onto or unloading from school buses and with the provisions of the statutes that require motorists to stop when a school bus is displaying flashing lights.

For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

SB354,1 Section 1. 38.04 (4) (e) 9. of the statutes is created to read:

SB354,2,4 38.04 (4) (e) 9. Acquaints each student with the hazards posed by other motor vehicles to school buses and passengers loading onto or unloading from school buses and with the provisions of s. 346.48.

SB354,2 Section 2. 115.28 (11) (h) of the statutes is created to read:

SB354,2,8 115.28 (11) (h) Acquaint each student with the hazards posed by other motor vehicles to school buses and passengers loading onto or unloading from school buses and with the provisions of s. 346.48.

SB354,3 Section 3. 343.16 (1) (a) 2. am. of the statutes is created to read:

SB354,2,14 343.16 (1) (a) 2. am. The knowledge test administered to applicants for initial issuance of an operator's license shall include material testing the applicant's knowledge of the hazards posed by other motor vehicles to school buses and passengers loading onto or unloading from school buses and of the provisions of s. 346.48.

SB354,4 Section 4. 343.16 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB354,3,7 343.16 (3) (a) Except as provided in s. 343.165 (4) (d), the department shall examine every applicant for the renewal of an operator's license once every 8 years. The department may institute a method of selecting the date of renewal so that such examination shall be required for each applicant for renewal of a license to gain a uniform rate of examinations. Subject to par. pars. (ag) and (am), the examination shall consist of a test of eyesight and a school bus safety test under par. (c). The department shall make provisions for giving such examinations at examining stations in each county to all applicants for an operator's license. The person to be examined shall appear at the examining station nearest the person's place of residence or at such time and place as the department designates in answer to an applicant's request.

SB354,3,14 (ag) In lieu of examination of eyesight, the applicant may present or mail to the department a report of examination of the applicant's eyesight by an ophthalmologist, optometrist, or physician licensed to practice medicine. The report shall be based on an examination made not more than 3 months prior to the date it is submitted. The report shall be on a form furnished and in the form required by the department. The department shall decide whether, in each case, the eyesight reported is sufficient to meet the current eyesight standards.

SB354,5 Section 5. 343.16 (3) (c) of the statutes is created to read:

SB354,3,24 343.16 (3) (c) Prior to renewal, the department shall administer and the applicant shall complete a verbal school bus safety examination that includes a test of the applicant's awareness of the hazards posed by other motor vehicles to school buses and passengers loading onto or unloading from school buses and with the provisions of s. 346.48. The department may not consider the performance of the applicant on the examination under this paragraph in the determination of whether or not to renew the applicant's operator's license. To the extent feasible, the department shall ensure that the examination under this paragraph does not extend the time necessary to compete the license renewal procedure.

SB354,6 Section 6. 343.71 (5) (i) of the statutes is created to read:

SB354,4,3 343.71 (5) (i) Acquaints each student with the hazards posed by other motor vehicles to school buses and passengers loading onto or unloading from school buses and with the provisions of s. 346.48.

SB354,4,4 (End)