May 24, 2023 - Introduced by Senators James, Ballweg and Marklein, cosponsored by Representatives Penterman, S. Johnson, Allen, C. Anderson, Armstrong, Behnke, Bodden, Conley, Dittrich, Goeben, Gundrum, Kitchens, Kurtz, Moses, Murphy, Oldenburg, Ortiz-Velez, Palmeri, Rettinger, Schmidt, Spiros, Stubbs and Brooks. Referred to Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety.
SB313,,22An Act to amend 346.49 (2); and to create 343.32 (2) (bL) and 346.49 (2g) of the statutes; relating to: increased penalties for failing to stop for a school bus. SB313,,33Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau This bill increases the penalties for failing to stop for a school bus that is stopped and displaying flashing red lights.
Current law requires motorists approaching a school bus stopped on a public road and displaying flashing red lights to stop at least 20 feet from the bus and to remain stopped until the bus resumes motion or the flashing red warning lights are turned off. A motorist who violates this requirement may be required to forfeit $30 to $300. The bill increases the penalty to a forfeiture of $300 to $1,000.
Under current law, DOT may adopt, by rule, a demerit point system for determining when to suspend a person’s operating privilege for repeatedly violating traffic laws. Under this system, DOT may assess demerit points against the driving record of a person convicted of violations of certain traffic laws. The bill requires DOT to assess three demerit points against the driving record of a vehicle operator who violates the requirement to stop for a school bus.
SB313,,44The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows: SB313,15Section 1. 343.32 (2) (bL) of the statutes is created to read: SB313,,66343.32 (2) (bL) The scale adopted by the secretary shall assess, for each conviction, 3 demerit points for a violation of s. 346.48. SB313,27Section 2. 346.49 (2) of the statutes is amended to read: SB313,,88346.49 (2) Any person violating s. 346.455 or 346.48 may be required to forfeit not less than $30 nor more than $300. SB313,39Section 3. 346.49 (2g) of the statutes is created to read: SB313,,1010346.49 (2g) Any person violating s. 346.48 may be required to forfeit not less than $300 nor more than $1,000. SB313,411Section 4. Initial applicability. SB313,,1212(1) This act first applies to offenses committed on the effective date of this subsection.
