Sincerely,
TONY EVERS
Governor
Pursuant to s. 35.095 (1)(b), Wisconsin Statutes, the following 2019 Act(s) have been published: Act Number Bill Number Publication Date
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State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
March 3, 2020
The Honorable, the Senate:
I have approved in part 2019 Senate Bill 583 as 2019 Wisconsin Act 183 and have deposited it in the Office of the Secretary of State. I have exercised the partial veto in Sections 12 and 25. Senate Bill 583 would make numerous changes to the regulation of all-terrain vehicles and utility terrain vehicles. These updates include changing the requirements for the usage of lights, requiring safe transport of passengers on public lands, clarifying that operators must obey posted traffic signs, and providing an exception from certain operation restrictions for certain operators that are responding to an emergency. Further, this bill would increase the funding available for all-terrain vehicle and utility terrain vehicle trail maintenance reimbursement. While I support this bill, I am using my partial veto authority under Article V, Section 10 of the Wisconsin Constitution to make the following changes.
I have exercised the partial veto in Section 12, relating to the operation of all-terrain vehicles and utility terrain vehicles on public and private land. Current law prohibits a person from operation a utility terrain vehicle, regardless of location, if a passenger is riding in or on the vehicle and said vehicle is not designed for passengers. Section 12 would prohibit a person from operating an all-terrain vehicle or utility terrain vehicle with a passenger, if the vehicle is not designed for passengers, only on an all-terrain vehicle route, all-terrain vehicle trail, or an authorized roadway.
I have exercised the partial veto in Section 25, relating to being a passenger on an all-terrain vehicle or utility terrain vehicle on public and private land. Current law prohibits a person from being a passenger on a utility terrain vehicle, regardless of location, if said vehicle is not designed for passengers. Section 25 would prohibit a person from being a passenger on an all-terrain vehicle or utility terrain vehicle that is not designed for passengers only on an all-terrain vehicle route, all-terrain vehicle trail, frozen water, or an authorized highway. This section would specifically not apply the prohibition to private property.
I am partially vetoing the requirement that the prohibition on unauthorized passengers only applies to designated routes and trails because I object to allowing the potentially unsafe operation of all-terrain vehicles and utility terrain vehicles in undesignated areas on private land. If an all-terrain vehicle or utility terrain vehicle is not designed for passengers, then it should not be operated with passengers, except for those exceptions provided for in Section 33. The safe transportation of passengers, regardless of location, is essential to the prevention of injuries and fatalities associated with all-terrain and utility terrain vehicle use.
These changes build upon the Legislature’s great work on this bill. I believe that these changes will ensure that public safety remains a top priority, while also ensuring that all-terrain vehicle and utility terrain vehicle operators area able to fully enjoy their experience.
