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November 30, 2021 - Introduced by Senators Johnson, Bernier, Carpenter and
Ballweg, cosponsored by Representatives L. Myers, Novak, Drake, Moore
Omokunde
, Emerson, Sinicki, Stubbs, Goyke, Kuglitsch, Murphy, Ohnstad,
Considine, Vruwink, Ortiz-Velez and Andraca. Referred to Committee on
Judiciary and Public Safety.
SB741,1,4 1An Act to amend 346.01 (2); and to create 343.32 (2) (bu), 346.575, 346.60 (6)
2and 349.107 of the statutes; relating to: the use of automated speed
3enforcement systems and traffic control photographic systems in a first class
4city and providing a penalty.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill allows law enforcement agencies in a first class city (presently only
Milwaukee) to use an automated speed enforcement system (ASES) to identify speed
limit violations and allows the leadership of a first class city to enact an ordinance
that permits the use of a traffic control photographic system (TCPS) on highways
under the jurisdiction of the city to identify traffic signal violations.
Under current law, law enforcement officers may not use any radar device
combined with photographic identification of a vehicle to determine compliance with
motor vehicle speed limits. Under this bill, local law enforcement agencies in a first
class city may use an ASES to determine compliance with speed limits. With
exceptions, the vehicle owner is subject to a forfeiture for a speed limit violation
detected by an ASES. However, no traffic citation may be issued for a speed limit
violation for which the ASES indicated a speed of less than 20 miles per hour above
the speed limit alleged to be violated. The owner is subject to the same forfeiture that
would be applicable to the vehicle operator for the violation. The bill also imposes
a number of administrative requirements on a municipality that uses an ASES to
determine compliance with speed limits. The authorization of the use of an ASES

to determine compliance with speed limits expires five years after this bill takes
effect.
This bill also authorizes the leadership of a first class city to enact an ordinance
that permits the use of a TCPS on highways under the jurisdiction of the city to detect
motor vehicles that fail to properly stop at red traffic signals at intersections. A TCPS
is an electronic system that automatically produces photographs of motor vehicles
traveling through an intersection. With exceptions, the vehicle owner may be subject
to a forfeiture for a traffic signal violation detected by a TCPS of not more than the
amount provided for a traffic signal violation under current law, currently between
$40 to $100. The authorization of the use of a TCPS to detect traffic signal violations
expires five years after this bill takes effect.
Forfeitures collected under either of these authorizations must be appropriated
for use by the agency providing police service in the city that collected the forfeiture.
For further information see the state and local 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:
SB741,1 1Section 1. 343.32 (2) (bu) of the statutes is created to read:
SB741,2,32 343.32 (2) (bu) The scale adopted by the secretary may not assess any demerit
3points for a violation of an ordinance enacted under s. 349.107.
SB741,2 4Section 2. 346.01 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB741,2,95 346.01 (2) In this chapter, notwithstanding s. 340.01 (42), “owner" means, with
6respect to a vehicle that is registered, or is required to be registered, by a lessee of
7the vehicle under ch. 341, the lessee of the vehicle for purposes of vehicle owner
8liability under ss. 346.175, 346.195, 346.205, 346.452, 346.457, 346.465, 346.485,
9346.505 (3), 346.575, 346.675, and 346.945.
SB741,3 10Section 3 . 346.575 of the statutes is created to read:
SB741,3,2 11346.575 Owner's liability for speed restriction violations detected by
12an automated speed enforcement system.
(1) In this section, “automated speed
13enforcement system” or “system” means an electronic device that uses automated

1equipment to detect a vehicle's speed and that is designed to obtain a clear visual
2image of a vehicle's rear license plate.
SB741,3,9 3(2) Notwithstanding s. 349.02 (3) (b) and subject to sub. (6), a local law
4enforcement agency with jurisdiction over traffic violations may use an automated
5speed enforcement system to determine compliance with a speed restriction
6established under s. 346.57 or 349.11 on highways under its jurisdiction. Subject to
7sub. (5) (b), the owner of a vehicle involved in a violation of s. 346.57, or a local
8ordinance in conformity with s. 346.57, that is determined by a system shall be liable
9for the violation as provided in this section.
SB741,3,19 10(3) If a traffic officer reviews and prepares a uniform traffic citation under s.
11345.11 for a violation of this section, the officer shall serve the owner of the vehicle
12with the citation by mailing the citation by certified mail addressed to the owner's
13last-known address within 5 business days after the violation. A traffic officer shall
14send with the citation a duplicate of a visual image, taken by the automated speed
15enforcement system, of the rear license plate of the vehicle involved in the violation,
16the system's location, and the date and time when the violation occurred. No traffic
17citation may be issued for a violation under this section for which the system
18indicated a speed of less than 20 miles per hour above the speed restriction
19established under s. 346.57 or 349.11.
SB741,3,23 20(4) Any forfeiture collected under this section shall be deposited in a separate
21segregated account from which moneys may be used only for purposes of traffic
22enforcement and traffic safety programs administered by the local law enforcement
23agency providing police services in the collecting municipality.
SB741,3,25 24(5) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), it is not a defense to a violation of this
25section that the owner was not operating the vehicle at the time of the violation.
SB741,4,1
1(b) All of the following are defenses to a violation of this section:
SB741,4,42 1. That a report that the vehicle was stolen was made by the owner to a law
3enforcement agency before the violation occurred or within 7 business days after the
4violation occurred.
SB741,4,95 2. That the owner of the vehicle provided a traffic officer with the name and
6address of the person operating the vehicle at the time of the violation and the person
7so named admits operating the vehicle at the time of the violation. In that case, the
8person operating the vehicle may be charged with a violation of s. 346.57 or a local
9ordinance in conformity with s. 346.57.
SB741,4,1410 3. That the vehicle is owned by a lessor of vehicles and is registered in the name
11of the lessor, that at the time of the violation the vehicle was in the possession of a
12lessee, and that the lessor provided a traffic officer with the information required
13under s. 343.46 (3). In that case, the lessee may be charged with a violation of s.
14346.57 or a local ordinance in conformity with s. 346.57.
SB741,4,2115 4. That the vehicle is owned by a dealer, as defined in s. 340.01 (11) (intro.), but
16including the persons specified in s. 340.01 (11) (a) to (d), that at the time of the
17violation the vehicle was being operated by a person on a trial run, and that the
18dealer provided a traffic officer with the name, address, and operator's license
19number of the person operating the vehicle. In that case, the person operating the
20vehicle may be charged with a violation of s. 346.57 or a local ordinance in conformity
21with s. 346.57.
SB741,4,23 22(6) (a) If a local law enforcement agency uses an automated speed enforcement
23system, the local law enforcement agency shall do all of the following:
SB741,5,324 1. Clearly identify the presence of a system by signs stating “Photo Enforced,”
25along with the posted speed limit. The signs shall be visible to traffic traveling on the

1highway from the direction of travel for which the system is used, and shall be posted
2at all locations the department determines are necessary to provide adequate notice
3of the presence of a system.
SB741,5,84 2. Identify the streets or portions of streets for which the use of a system has
5been approved and the hours of enforcement on the local law enforcement agency's
6website. The information under this subdivision shall be updated whenever the local
7law enforcement agency changes locations that are enforced with a system or hours
8of enforcement.
SB741,5,119 3. a. Use law enforcement officers or other trained designated employees to
10oversee the operation of systems and maintain control over all enforcement
11activities, including the determination of when a citation should be issued.
SB741,5,1412 b. Properly train law enforcement officers and other designated employees in
13the use of a system, including the operation, set-up, and testing of a system deployed
14by the law enforcement agency, and the enforcement of traffic and speeding laws.
SB741,5,1715 c. Retain documentation demonstrating the successful completion of required
16training by a law enforcement officer or designated employee who oversees the
17operation of a system and enforcement activities.
SB741,5,2318 4. Ensure that the system is regularly inspected and certify that the system is
19installed and operating properly. Each camera unit shall be calibrated in accordance
20with the manufacturer's instructions, and, at least once a year, each camera unit
21shall be calibrated by an independent calibration laboratory. The municipality shall
22retain documentation of the regular inspection, operation, and calibration of a
23system until the date on which the system has been permanently removed from use.
SB741,5,2524 5. Use a system that provides real-time notification when violations are
25detected.
SB741,6,2
1(b) Before using an automated speed enforcement system under this section,
2a law enforcement agency shall do all of the following:
SB741,6,63 1. Administer a public information campaign for at least 30 days before the
4commencement of use of a system. The campaign shall include public
5announcements in major media outlets and press releases. The campaign shall
6include the following information:
SB741,6,77 a. The system use policy under par. (c).
SB741,6,88 b. The system impact report under par. (d).
SB741,6,99 c. The date on which use of systems will begin.
SB741,6,1010 d. The highways on which systems will be used.
SB741,6,1111 e. The law enforcement agency's website.
SB741,6,1612 2. Issue warning notices rather than citations for violations detected by a
13system during the first 90 days during which a system is used under this section.
14Whenever a system is first used on a highway, the local law enforcement agency shall
15issue warning notices rather than citations for violations detected by the systems
16during the first 90 calendar days of enforcement.
SB741,7,317 (c) A municipality shall prepare and adopt a system use policy before entering
18into an agreement regarding a system, purchasing or leasing equipment for a
19system, or implementing this section. The system use policy shall include the specific
20purpose for the system, the uses that are authorized, the rules and processes
21required before that use, and the uses that are prohibited. The policy shall specify
22the information that may be collected by a system, the individuals who may access
23and use the collected information, and the procedure for accessing and using the
24information. The policy shall include provisions for protecting data from
25unauthorized access, data retention, public access, 3rd-party data sharing, training,

1auditing, and oversight. The system use policy shall be made available for public
2review, including by posting it on the local law enforcement agency's website, at least
330 calendar days before adoption.
SB741,7,64 (d) A municipality shall prepare and adopt a system impact report and make
5the report available for public review and comment at least 30 days before approval.
6The system impact report shall include all of the following:
SB741,7,77 1. A description of the systems to be used and how they work.
SB741,7,88 2. The proposed purpose of a system.
SB741,7,109 3. The locations in which a system may be deployed and traffic data for these
10locations.
SB741,7,1211 4. An assessment of the potential impact of the system on civil liberties and civil
12rights and any plans to safeguard those public rights.
SB741,7,1413 5. The fiscal costs of a system, including establishment costs, ongoing costs, and
14program funding.
SB741,7,1515 (e) A municipality shall develop uniform guidelines for all of the following:
SB741,7,1616 1. The screening and issuing of citations under this section.
SB741,7,1817 2. The processing and storage of confidential information under this section
18and procedures to ensure compliance with confidentiality requirements.
SB741,8,519 (f) A contract between a municipality and a manufacturer or supplier of an
20automated speed enforcement system shall allow the municipality to purchase
21materials, lease equipment, and contract for processing services from the
22manufacturer or supplier based on the services rendered on a monthly schedule or
23another schedule agreed upon by the municipality and contractor. The contract may
24not include provisions for payment or compensation based on the number of citations
25issued under this section, or as a percentage of revenue generated, from the use of

1the system. The contract shall include a provision that all data collected from a
2system is confidential, and shall prohibit the manufacturer or supplier of a system
3from sharing, repurposing, or monetizing collected data. The local law enforcement
4agency shall oversee and maintain control over all enforcement activities, including
5the determination of when a citation should be issued.
SB741,8,106 (g) Two years after implementation of an automated speed enforcement
7program and 5 years after the effective date of this paragraph .... [LRB inserts date],
8a municipality shall prepare and submit to the standing committees of the
9legislature with jurisdiction over transportation matters a system report that
10includes all of the following information:
SB741,8,1111 1. A description of how systems were used.
SB741,8,1412 2. Whether and how often system data was shared with outside entities, the
13name of any recipient entity, the type of data disclosed, and the legal reason for the
14disclosure.
SB741,8,1615 3. A summary of any community complaints or concerns about the use of
16systems.
SB741,8,1817 4. Results of any internal audits, information about any violations of the
18system use policy, and any actions taken in response.
SB741,8,2019 5. Information regarding the impact that the use of systems has had on the
20highways where the systems were deployed.
SB741,8,2121 6. A summary of any public records requests related to systems.
SB741,9,422 (h) Not later than March 1 of the 5th year beginning after the effective date of
23this paragraph .... [LRB inserts date], a municipality shall prepare and submit to the
24standing committees of the legislature with jurisdiction over transportation matters
25an evaluation of the use of automated speed enforcement systems in its jurisdiction,

1including an assessment of the system's impact on highway safety and the system's
2economic impact on the communities where the system is used. The report shall be
3made available on the website of the local law enforcement agency and shall include
4all of the following information:
SB741,9,95 1. Before and after data on the number and proportion of vehicles speeding
6between 10 to 19 miles per hour over the legal speed limit, 20 to 29 miles per hour
7over the legal speed limit, 30 to 39 miles per hour over the legal speed limit, and every
8additional 10 miles per hour increment thereafter on a highway on which a system
9is used to enforce speed limits.
SB741,9,1210 2. The number of citations issued under this section by month and year and the
11corridors or locations where violations occurred and, to the extent feasible, the day
12of the week and time the violation occurred.
SB741,9,1513 3. Before and after data on the number of traffic collisions, categorized by injury
14severity, that occurred where systems are used relative to jurisdiction-wide data and
15the mode of transportation of the parties involved.
SB741,9,1616 4. The number of citations paid and citations dismissed.
SB741,9,1817 5. The costs associated with implementation and operation of the systems, and
18revenues collected by each jurisdiction.
SB741,9,2119 6. The uses of revenues collected by use of systems in the jurisdiction, including
20information on roadway traffic safety projects, traffic safety education, and law
21enforcement activities and programs that were implemented.
SB741,9,2322 7. Before and after data on the number of law enforcement officers, including
23the number of officers dedicated to traffic enforcement.
SB741,10,3
18. An evaluation of whether use of systems has resulted in traffic impacts on
2highways that may be susceptible to traffic diversion, in the vicinity of corridors with
3installed systems.
SB741,10,54 9. The results of surveys and outreach to low-income and predominantly
5minority communities where systems were deployed.
SB741,10,7 6(7) A visual image made by an automated speed enforcement system is not
7subject to the right of inspection and copying under s. 19.35 (1).
SB741,10,8 8(8) This section applies only in a 1st class city.
SB741,10,10 9(9) This section does not apply 5 years after the effective date of this subsection
10.... [LRB inserts date].
SB741,4 11Section 4 . 346.60 (6) of the statutes is created to read:
SB741,10,1912 346.60 (6) A vehicle owner found liable under s. 346.575 is subject to a
13forfeiture in the same amount that may be imposed on a vehicle operator for the
14corresponding violation of s. 346.57 including, if applicable, the doubling of the
15forfeiture as provided in sub. (3m) (a). For purposes of this subsection, a person's
16prior violation of s. 346.57 may be counted as a prior violation of s. 346.575.
17Imposition of liability under s. 346.575 shall not result in suspension or revocation
18of a person's operating privilege under s. 343.30 or 343.31, nor shall it result in
19demerit points being recorded on a person's driving record under s. 343.32 (2) (a).
SB741,5 20Section 5 . 349.107 of the statutes is created to read:
SB741,10,22 21349.107 Authority to use traffic control photographic systems. (1) In
22this section:
SB741,10,2523 (a) In addition to the meaning given in s. 340.01 (42), “owner" means, with
24respect to a vehicle that is registered, or that is required to be registered, by a lessee
25of the vehicle under ch. 341, the lessee of the vehicle.
SB741,11,5
1(b) “Traffic control photographic system" means an electronic system consisting
2of a photographic, video, or electronic camera and a vehicle sensor installed for use
3with an official traffic control signal to automatically produce photographs or video
4or digital images, stamped with the time and date, of vehicles moving through an
5intersection.
SB741,11,7 6(2) Subject to sub. (3), the leadership of a 1st class city may enact an ordinance
7that does all of the following:
SB741,11,98 (a) Subjects a person to a forfeiture for being the owner of a motor vehicle that
9does any of the following:
SB741,11,1110 1. When facing a traffic control signal at an intersection that exhibits a red
11light, including a flashing red light, fully enters the intersection without stopping.
SB741,11,1512 2. When facing a traffic control signal at an intersection that exhibits a red
13light, other than a flashing red light, after stopping at the intersection, proceeds
14through the intersection before the traffic control signal exhibits a green light if the
15vehicle is not making a right turn.
SB741,11,1816 (b) Allows the use of a traffic control photographic system on highways under
17the jurisdiction of the municipality, including connecting highways, for the purpose
18of detecting violations described in par. (a).
SB741,11,2119 (c) Subjects a person to a forfeiture for being the lessee or operator of a motor
20vehicle the owner of which would be subject to a forfeiture under this section but for
21the owner's successful assertion of a defense under sub. (3) (c) 2. or 3.
SB741,11,2522 (d) Requires that forfeitures collected under this section be deposited in a
23separate segregated account from which moneys may be used only for purposes of
24traffic enforcement and traffic safety programs administered by the local law
25enforcement agency providing police services in the collecting municipality.
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