Wisconsin Legislature: SB613,13

SB613,7 Section 7 . 411.525 (4) of the statutes is created to read:

411.525 (4) (a) In this subsection, “vehicle” has the meaning given in s. 409.609 (4) (a).

(b) In determining whether a lessor or authorized repossessor of a lessor has committed a breach of the peace under sub. (3), only the conduct or activities of the lessor or authorized repossessor of the lessor is relevant. A court may not consider the conduct or activities of the lessee or any bystander at the time of the repossession in determining compliance with sub. (3).

(c) No criminal or civil liability for wrongful repossession may be imposed against a lessor or authorized repossessor of a lessor arising from the repossession of a vehicle if, in taking possession of the vehicle as authorized under this section, the lessor or authorized repossessor of the lessor complies with the requirements of this section and all requirements applicable to the lessor or the authorized repossessor under ss. 409.609, 425.205, 425.206, and 425.2065.

(d) No criminal or civil liability for wrongful repossession may be imposed against an independent contractor, or its employees, hired by a lessor to take possession of a vehicle and arising from the repossession of the vehicle on the basis that the lessor was not authorized under sub. (2) to take possession of the vehicle if all of the following apply:

1. The lessor represented to the independent contractor or its employee, or the independent contractor or its employee had a reasonable belief, that the lessor was authorized to take possession of the vehicle.

2. In taking possession of the vehicle, the independent contractor or its employee complies with the requirements of this section and all requirements applicable to the independent contractor or its employee under ss. 409.609, 425.205, 425.206, and 425.2065.

SB613,8 Section 8 . 425.202 (1) of the statutes is renumbered 425.202 (1m).

SB613,9 Section 9 . 425.202 (1g) of the statutes is created to read:

425.202 (1g) “Authorized repossessor” of a merchant means a person employed by a merchant or authorized to act as an agent by a merchant, or an independent contractor hired by a merchant or the merchant's forwarding agent or an employee of such an independent contractor, for the purpose of taking possession of collateral or leased goods as authorized under s. 425.206 (1) and (2).

SB613,10 Section 10. 425.206 (2) (intro.) and (a) of the statutes are consolidated, renumbered 425.206 (2) (a) and amended to read:

425.206 (2) (a) In taking possession of collateral or leased goods, no merchant or authorized repossessor of the merchant may do any of the following: (a) Commit commit a breach of the peace.

SB613,11 Section 11. 425.206 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

425.206 (2) (b) Enter In taking possession of collateral or leased goods, no merchant or authorized repossessor of the merchant may enter a dwelling used by the customer as a residence except at the voluntary request of a customer.

SB613,12 Section 12 . 425.206 (2m) of the statutes is created to read:

425.206 (2m) (a) In this subsection, “vehicle” means any of the following:

1. A motor vehicle.

2. An all-terrain vehicle, as defined in s. 340.01 (2g).

3. A utility terrain vehicle, as defined in s. 23.33 (1) (ng).

4. An off-highway motorcycle, as defined in s. 23.335 (1) (q).

5. An off-highway vehicle, as defined in s. 23.119 (1) (b).

6. A recreational vehicle, as defined in s. 340.01 (48r).

7. A motorboat, as defined in s. 30.50 (6).

8. A snowmobile, as defined in s. 340.01 (58a).

(b) In determining whether a merchant or authorized repossessor of a merchant has committed a breach of the peace under sub. (2) (a), only the conduct or activities of the merchant or authorized repossessor of the merchant is relevant. A court may not consider the conduct or activities of the customer or any bystander at the time of the repossession in determining compliance with sub. (2) (a).

(c) No criminal or civil liability for wrongful repossession may be imposed against a merchant or authorized repossessor of a merchant arising from the repossession of a vehicle if, in taking possession of the vehicle as authorized under this section, the merchant or authorized repossessor of the merchant complies with the requirements of this section and all requirements applicable to the merchant or the authorized repossessor under ss. 409.609, 411.525, 425.205, and 425.2065.

(d) No criminal or civil liability for wrongful repossession may be imposed against an independent contractor, or its employees, hired by a merchant to take possession of a vehicle and arising from the repossession of the vehicle on the basis that the merchant was not authorized under subs. (1) and (2) to take possession of the vehicle if all of the following apply:

1. The merchant represented to the independent contractor or its employee, or the independent contractor or its employee had a reasonable belief, that the merchant was authorized to take possession of the vehicle.

SB613,13 Section 13 . 427.105 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

427.105 (2) If a customer establishes that the customer was induced to surrender collateral, as defined in s. 425.202 (1) (1m), by conduct of the merchant which violates this chapter, the customer shall be entitled to a determination of the right to possession of the collateral pursuant to s. 425.205 (1) (e) in any action brought under this subchapter, and if the customer prevails on such issue, in addition to any other damages under this subchapter, the customer shall be entitled to recover possession of the collateral if still in the merchant's possession, together with actual damages for the customer's loss of use of the collateral.

SB613,14 Section 14 . Initial applicability.

(1) This act first applies to repossessions occurring on the effective date of this subsection.

SB613,15 Section 15 . Effective date.

(1) This act takes effect on the first day of the 4th month beginning after publication.