March 1, 2023 - Introduced by Senators Tomczyk, Ballweg, Marklein and Spreitzer, cosponsored by Representatives Penterman, Emerson, Nedweski, Armstrong, Gundrum, Moses, Novak, Rozar, Shankland, Subeck and Wittke. Referred to Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety.
SB97,,22An Act to renumber and amend 340.01 (22e); and to create 340.01 (22e) (a) 3. and 340.01 (22e) (b) of the statutes; relating to: penalties for certain traffic violations where highway maintenance workers are present and providing a penalty. SB97,,33Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau Under current law, the amount of any applicable minimum and maximum fine or forfeiture is doubled for specified traffic violations committed where persons working in a highway maintenance or construction area are at risk from traffic. These traffic violations include failing to follow certain traffic signs and signals, failing to follow certain orders of traffic officers, exceeding certain maximum speed limits, and driving recklessly. Currently, “highway maintenance or construction area” is defined as the section of highway between the first highway maintenance or construction warning sign and either 1) a sign indicating the end of the maintenance or construction work; or 2) in the case of a moving vehicle engaged in the maintenance or construction work, the section of roadway where traffic may return to normal flow without impeding the maintenance or construction work.
Under this bill, “highway maintenance or construction area” is defined to include the roadway adjacent to which roadside cleanup or maintenance work is being performed. In the case of highway cleanup work or roadside cleanup or maintenance work, including the collection of litter, the highway construction or maintenance area extends from the first advance warning sign to the furthest location at which cleanup or maintenance workers are working.
SB97,,44The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows: SB97,15Section 1. 340.01 (22e) of the statutes is renumbered 340.01 (22e) (a) (intro.) and amended to read: SB97,,66340.01 (22e) (a) (intro.) “Highway maintenance or construction area” means the entire section of roadway between the first advance warning sign of highway maintenance or construction work and an any of the following: SB97,,771. An “END ROAD WORK” or “END CONSTRUCTION” sign or, in. SB97,,882. In the case of a moving vehicle engaged in the maintenance or construction work, that section of roadway where traffic may return to its normal flow without impeding such the work. SB97,29Section 2. 340.01 (22e) (a) 3. of the statutes is created to read: SB97,,1010340.01 (22e) (a) 3. In the case of highway cleanup work or roadside cleanup or maintenance work, including the collection of litter, the furthest location at which cleanup or maintenance workers are working. SB97,311Section 3. 340.01 (22e) (b) of the statutes is created to read: SB97,,1212340.01 (22e) (b) “Highway maintenance or construction area” includes the roadway adjacent to which roadside cleanup or maintenance work, including the collection of litter, is being performed, regardless of whether the work is being performed by paid workers or volunteer workers. SB97,413Section 4. Initial applicability. SB97,,1414(1) This act first applies to violations committed on the effective date of this subsection.
