Chapter 195

195.042 195.042 Summary investigations. Whenever the office believes that any water carrier rate or charge may be unreasonable or unjustly discriminatory or that any service is inadequate or cannot be obtained or that an investigation of any matter relating to any water carrier or, if a matter arising under s. 192.324, 192.34, 195.20, 195.28 (1), 195.285 (1), 195.29 (1), (5), or (6), 195.31, or 195.32, to any railroad should for any reason be made, it may investigate the same with or without notice.

195.042 History History: 1977 c. 29; 1981 c. 347 s. 80 (1); 1993 a. 16, 123; 2005 a. 179.

195.043 195.043 Procedure after summary investigation.

195.043(1) (1) If, after summary investigation, the office becomes satisfied that sufficient grounds exist to warrant a formal hearing being ordered as to the matters investigated, it shall set a time and place for a hearing. The office shall publish notice of any such investigation in its weekly calendar and any report and all matters considered by the office with respect thereto shall be available for public inspection upon request.

195.043(2) (2) Notice of the time and place for such hearing shall be given to the water carrier or railroad, and to such other interested persons as the office deems necessary, as provided in s. 195.04, and thereafter proceedings shall be had and conducted in reference to the matter investigated in like manner as though complaint had been filed with the office relative to the matter investigated, and the same order or orders may be made in reference thereto as if such investigation had been made on complaint.

195.043 History History: 1977 c. 29; 1981 c. 347 s. 80 (1); 1993 a. 16, 123; 2005 a. 179.

195.044 195.044 Witness fees and mileage.

195.044(1) (1) Each witness who appears before the office or its agent, by its order, shall receive for attendance the fees and mileage now provided for witnesses in civil cases in courts of record, which shall be audited and paid by the state in the same manner as other expenses are audited and paid, upon the presentation of proper vouchers sworn to by such witnesses and approved by the office. Said fees and mileage shall be charged to the appropriation for the office.

195.044(2) (2) No witness subpoenaed at the instance of parties other than the office is entitled to compensation from the state for attendance or travel unless the office certifies that the witness’ testimony was material to the matter investigated.

195.044 History History: 1977 c. 29, 273; 1981 c. 347 ss. 71, 80 (1); 1993 a. 16, 123.

195.045 195.045 Depositions. The office or any party may in any hearing cause the depositions of witnesses residing within or without the state to be taken in the manner prescribed by law for like depositions in civil actions in circuit courts. Any expense incurred or authorized by the office in taking such depositions shall be charged to the appropriation for the office.

195.045 History History: 1977 c. 29; 1981 c. 347 s. 80 (1); 1993 a. 16, 123.

195.045 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. RR 1.09, Wis. adm. code.

195.046 195.046 Record. A full and complete record shall be kept of all proceedings before the office or its hearing examiners.

195.046 History History: 1977 c. 29; 1981 c. 347 s. 80 (1); 1993 a. 16, 123.

195.046 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. RR 1.07, Wis. adm. code.

195.047 195.047 Transcripts as evidence. A transcribed copy of the evidence and proceedings or any specific part thereof, on any hearing under this chapter taken by the stenographer, being certified by such stenographer to be a true and correct transcript of all the testimony or of a particular witness, or of other specific part thereof, carefully compared with the original notes, and to be a correct statement of the evidence and proceedings had on such hearing so purporting to be taken and transcribed, shall be received in evidence with the same effect as if such reporter were present and testified to the fact so certified. A copy of such transcript shall be furnished on demand free of cost to any party to such hearing.

195.047 History History: 1977 c. 29.

195.048 195.048 Incriminating evidence.

195.048(1) (1) No person may be excused from testifying or from producing books, accounts and papers in any proceeding based upon or growing out of any violation of this chapter on the ground or for the reason that the testimony or evidence may tend to incriminate or subject the person to penalty or forfeiture, but no person having so testified may be prosecuted or subjected to any penalty or forfeiture for or on account of any such testimony. No person so testifying may be exempted from prosecution or punishment for perjury in testifying.

195.048(2) (2) The immunity provided under sub. (1) is subject to the restrictions under s. 972.085.

195.048 History History: 1977 c. 29, 273; 1989 a. 122.

195.05 195.05 Office; water carrier rates, regulations, service, procedure.

195.05(1) (1) Orders for rates and service. Whenever the office shall find that any existing water carrier rate, fare, charge, or classification, or any joint rate, or any regulation or practice affecting the transportation of persons or property, or any service in connection therewith is unreasonable or unjustly discriminatory or that any service is inadequate, it shall determine and by order fix a reasonable rate, fare, charge, classification, joint rate, regulation, practice or service to be imposed, observed and followed in the future, in lieu of that found to be unreasonable or unjustly discriminatory or inadequate.

195.05(2) (2) Time to comply with orders. Where the order made relates to service, and the same cannot, in the judgment of the office, be complied with within 20 days, the office may prescribe such additional time as in its judgment is reasonably necessary to comply with the order and may on application and for good cause shown further extend the time.

195.05(3) (3) Rates not changed by water carrier. All water carriers to which the order applies shall make such changes in their schedule on file as may be necessary to make the same conform to said order, and no change shall thereafter be made by any water carrier in any such rates, fares or charges, or in any joint rates except as provided in s. 195.08.

195.05(4) (4) Modification of orders. The office may by order at any time, upon notice to the water carrier and after opportunity to be heard, rescind, alter or amend any order fixing any rate or rates, fares, charges or classification, or any other order made by the office.

195.05 History History: 1981 c. 347 s. 80 (1); 1985 a. 187; 1993 a. 16, 123; 2005 a. 179.

195.05 Annotation Res judicata is inapplicable to commission orders since no time limitation is imposed for petitioning to reopen and the commission can rescind the previous executory order at any time. Village of Prentice v. Wisconsin Transportation Commission, 123 Wis. 2d 113, 365 N.W.2d 899 (Ct. App. 1985).

195.055 195.055 Judicial review. All orders and determinations of the office are subject to judicial review under ch. 227.

195.055 History History: 1977 c. 29; 1981 c. 347 s. 80 (1); 1993 a. 16, 123.

195.06 195.06 Office orders prima facie lawful. All orders, determinations and decisions made by the office shall be in force and effective 20 days after the same has been served as required by s. 227.48 unless the office shall specify a different date upon which the same shall be effective, and shall be prima facie lawful, and all regulations, practices and service prescribed by the office shall be in force and shall be prima facie lawful and reasonable, until finally found otherwise upon judicial review thereof instituted pursuant to ch. 227.

195.06 History History: 1975 c. 414 s. 28; 1981 c. 347 s. 80 (1); 1985 a. 182 s. 57; 1993 a. 16, 123.

195.07 195.07 Law enforcement.

195.07(1) (1) Powers. The office shall inquire into the neglect or violation of the laws of this state by water carriers and railroads, or by the officers, agents or employees thereof, or by persons operating water carriers and railroads, and shall report violations to the attorney general.

195.07(2) (2) Attorney general and district attorney to prosecute. Upon request of the office, the attorney general or the district attorney of the proper county shall aid in any investigation, hearing or trial had under, and shall institute and prosecute all necessary actions or proceedings for the enforcement of, laws relating to water carriers and railroads.

195.07(3) (3) Actions, character, venue. Any forfeiture, fine or other penalty provided in chs. 192 to 195 may be recovered as a forfeiture in a civil action brought in the name of the state in the circuit court of Dane County, or in the county that would be the proper place of trial under s. 801.50.

195.07 History History: 1977 c. 29; 1981 c. 347 s. 80 (1); 1985 a. 29; 1993 a. 16, 123; 2005 a. 179.

195.08 195.08 Water carrier rates, schedules, service.

195.08(1g) (1g) Definition. In this section “schedules” does not include “timetables”.

195.08(1r) (1r) Service rates to be adequate and just. Every water carrier shall furnish reasonably adequate service and facilities, and the charges made for the transportation of passengers or property or for any service in connection therewith, or for the receiving, delivering, storing or handling of property shall be reasonable and just, and every unjust and unreasonable charge for such service is prohibited and declared to be unlawful.

195.08(2) (2) Schedules; publication. Every water carrier shall print in plain type and file with the office schedules which shall be open to public inspection showing all rates, fares and charges for the transportation of passengers and property and any service in connection therewith which it has established and which are in force at the time between all points in this state upon its line or any line controlled or operated by it. The schedules shall plainly state the places upon its line or any line controlled or operated by it in this state between which passengers and property will be carried, and there shall be filed therewith the classification of freight in force.

195.08(3) (3) Schedules, rules and regulations. Every water carrier shall publish with and as a part of such schedules all rules and regulations that in any manner affect the rates charged or to be charged for the transportation of passengers or property and its charges for delay in loading or unloading property or for rendering any other service in connection with the transportation of persons or property.

195.08(4) (4) Schedules, copies in terminals. Two copies of said schedules for the use of the public shall be kept in every terminal and office of such water carrier in such form and place as to be easily accessible to the public.

195.08(7) (7) Changes in schedule. No change shall be made in any schedule, or in any classification, unless the change shall be plainly indicated upon existing schedules, or by filing new schedules in lieu thereof, 30 days prior to the time the same are to take effect. Copies of all new schedules shall be filed as required in this section in every terminal and office of such water carrier at places to or from which the rates in such schedules apply, 30 days prior to the time the same are to take effect, unless the office shall prescribe a less time.

195.08(9) (9) Complaint against change in schedules. Whenever a complaint is filed with the office before any change in any water carrier schedule, or in any classification, rule, regulation or practice becomes effective to the effect that the change is unreasonable or unjustly discriminatory, the office shall give notice to the water carrier that a complaint has been made, may investigate the complaint and shall set the complaint for hearing. The office may, in its discretion, by order, stay the change pending the determination of the matters investigated at any time before the change shall take effect. If the change complained of is found unreasonable or unjustly discriminatory, the change shall not take effect and, if the change has become effective, the office shall order the discontinuance thereof. The office may fix and order substituted for any such change such rates, joint rates, fares, charges, classification, rule, regulation, practice or service as it shall have determined to be just and reasonable and which shall be charged, imposed or followed in the future, and shall make such order respecting such rule, regulation, practice or service as it shall determine to be reasonable and which shall be observed and followed in the future. Procedure and notice shall be as provided in s. 195.04 (2) to (4).

195.08(11) (11) Freight classification. There shall be but one classification of freight which shall be uniform on all water carriers.

195.08 History History: 1977 c. 29; 1981 c. 347 s. 80 (1); 1993 a. 16, 123; 1999 a. 83; 2005 a. 179.

195.09 195.09 Commodity rates. Concentration, commodity, transit and other special contract rates are permitted, but all such rates shall be open to all shippers for a like kind of traffic under similar circumstances and conditions, and shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter.

195.10 195.10 Emergency rates. The office shall have power, when deemed by it necessary to prevent injury to the business or interests of the people or water carriers of this state in consequence of any emergency to be judged of by the office, to temporarily alter, amend, or, with the consent of the water carrier company concerned, suspend any existing passenger rates, freight rates, schedules and orders on any water carrier in this state. Such rates so made by the office shall apply on one or more of the water carriers in this state or any portion thereof as may be directed by the office, and shall take effect at such time and remain in force for such length of time as may be prescribed by the office.

195.10 History History: 1981 c. 347 s. 80 (1); 1993 a. 16, 123; 2005 a. 179.

195.11 195.11 Discriminations prohibited.

195.11(1) (1) If any water carrier, or any agent or officer thereof, shall directly or indirectly, or by any device whatsoever, charge, demand, collect or receive a greater, less or different compensation for the transportation of persons or property or of any service in connection therewith than that prescribed in the tariffs then in force, or than it charges, demands, collects or receives from any other person, firm or corporation for a like and contemporaneous service, such water carrier shall be deemed guilty of unjust discrimination, which is hereby prohibited.

195.11(2) (2) It shall be unlawful for any water carrier to demand, charge, collect or receive from any shipper a less compensation for the transportation of property or for any service rendered or to be rendered by said water carrier, in consideration of said shipper furnishing any part of the facilities incident thereto; but any water carrier may rent any facilities incident to transportation and pay a reasonable rental therefor, but no payment shall be made by any carrier to an industry for performing any part of the service incident to the origination or determination of shipments which the carriers have assumed to perform under the provisions of the bill of lading.

195.11 History History: 2005 a. 179.

195.12 195.12 Preference by water carriers prohibited. If any water carrier shall make or give any undue or unreasonable preference or advantage to any person, firm or corporation, or shall subject any person, firm or corporation to any undue or unreasonable prejudice or disadvantage in any respect whatsoever, such water carrier shall be deemed guilty of unjust discrimination, which is hereby prohibited.

195.12 History History: 2005 a. 179.

195.13 195.13 Rebates and concessions, unlawful to accept. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation knowingly to accept or receive any rebate, concession or discrimination in respect to water carrier transportation of property wholly within this state, or for any service in connection therewith, whereby any such property shall, by any device whatsoever, be transported at a less rate than that named in the tariffs in force, or whereby any service or advantage is received other than is therein specified. Any person, firm or corporation violating the provisions of this section shall forfeit not less than $100 nor more than $1,000 for each offense.

195.13 History History: 1997 a. 254; 2005 a. 179.

195.14 195.14 Free transportation; reduced rates, passes, limitations.

195.14(1) (1) This chapter does not prohibit the carriage, storage or handling by water carriers of freight free or at reduced rates for the United States, the state, or any municipality thereof, or for charitable purposes, or to and from fairs and expositions for exhibition thereat, or household goods the property of water carrier employees, or commodities shipped by employees for their exclusive use or consumption; or the issuance of mileage, commutation, party or excursion passengers’ tickets; or the sale of such tickets as were usually and customarily sold at reduced rates prior to June 15, 1905; provided the same are issued and sold without discrimination to all persons applying therefor under like circumstances and conditions.

195.14(2) (2) 

195.14(2)(a) (a) Water carriers may give transportation free or at reduced rates to any minister of the gospel, officers or agent of incorporated colleges, inmates of soldiers’ homes, regular agents of charitable societies when traveling upon the business of the society only, destitute and homeless persons, water carrier officers, attorneys, physicians, directors, employees or members of their families, or to former water carrier employees or members of their families where the employees have become disabled in the water carrier service, or are unable from physical disqualification to continue in the service, or to members of families of deceased water carrier employees.

195.14(2)(b) (b) Water carriers may exchange passes with officers, attorneys, physicians or employees of other water carriers and members of their families. No person holding any public office or position under the laws of this state shall be given transportation free or at reduced rates that are not open to the public, except that notaries public and regular employees of a water carrier or other public utility who are candidates for or hold public office for which the annual compensation is not more than $300 to whom no passes or privileges are extended beyond those that are extended to other regular employees of such corporations may be granted free transportation or reduced rates for the transmission of any message or communication.

195.14(3) (3) Upon any shipment of livestock or other property of such nature as to require the care of an attendant, the water carrier may furnish to the shipper or persons designated by the shipper, free transportation for such attendant, including return passage to the point at which the shipment originated; provided, there shall be no discrimination in reference thereto.

195.14(4) (4) Except as provided in this section, no free transportation for intrastate traffic shall be given by any water carrier.

195.14 History History: 1993 a. 213, 482; 1997 a. 254; 1999 a. 32; 2005 a. 179.

195.15 195.15 Transportation contracts, filed. Every water carrier shall, when required and within the time fixed by the office, deliver to the office for its use copies of all contracts which relate to the transportation of persons or property, or any service in connection therewith, made or entered into by it with any other water carrier or any shipper or other person doing business with it.

195.15 History History: 1981 c. 347 s. 80 (1); 1993 a. 16, 123; 2005 a. 179.

195.16 195.16 Pass lists. Every water carrier shall keep and for 2 years preserve a record of every ticket, pass or mileage book issued to a resident of this state free or for a money consideration less than that charged the general public. Such record shall consist of the name of the recipient, the amount received, and the reason for issuance, and shall be open to inspection by the office upon reasonable notice during such period of 2 years.

195.16 History History: 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (9) (e); 1981 c. 347 s. 80 (1); 1993 a. 16, 123; 2005 a. 179.

195.19 195.19 Relocation of facilities.

195.19(2) (2) Water carrier freight. All water carriers shall keep and maintain adequate and suitable buildings and facilities for the receiving, handling and delivering of freight transported or to be transported by such water carriers.

195.19(4) (4) Relocation of railroad facilities. Any city, village or town may cooperate with a railroad in grade crossing elimination or relocation, elimination or relocation of switchyards, roundhouses or terminals and may appropriate or borrow money therefor.

195.19 History History: 1981 c. 347 s. 80 (1); 1993 a. 16, 123, 246; 1995 a. 225; 2005 a. 179.

195.20 195.20 Joint use of railroad property. Whenever, upon complaint and after hearing had, the office finds that public convenience and necessity require the use by one or more railroads of the tracks, wires, poles, rights-of-way, switches, bridges or other property belonging to another railroad over or on any street, railroad, railway, right-of-way, bridge or viaduct, upon or over which said railroads have a right to operate, and that such use will not prevent the owners or other users thereof from performing their public duties, nor result in irreparable injury to such owners or other users thereof, the office may, by order, direct that such use be permitted, and prescribe a reasonable compensation and reasonable terms and conditions for such joint use.

195.20 History History: 1981 c. 347 s. 80 (1); 1993 a. 16, 123.

195.21 195.21 Warehouses. Any person proposing to erect or maintain a public elevator or public warehouse for the purchase, sale, storage, receiving or shipping of grain, or other personal property, to be received from or transported upon any water carrier, shall be furnished by such water carrier at a reasonable rental, a site upon its property or terminal; and any private elevator or warehouse situated upon such grounds may be converted into a public elevator or warehouse at the option of the owner, upon notice in writing to the water carrier and thereby be permitted to remain thereon under the same conditions as provided herein for a public elevator or warehouse; and the office shall, upon application by such owner, if the public interest so requires, by order, direct the water carrier to furnish such site and the office shall make reasonable regulations therefor and in case of disagreement, the office shall determine the rental therefor. Elevators and warehouses erected or maintained under the foregoing provisions of this section shall be subject to such rules and regulations as to charges and the manner of conducting business as the office shall prescribe.

195.21 History History: 1981 c. 347 s. 80 (1); 1993 a. 16, 123, 490; 2005 a. 179.

195.25 195.25 Medical supplies on trains.

195.25(1) (1) No railroad company shall operate any train that is not equipped with at least one medical emergency case with suitable equipment which shall be at all times kept in a definitely fixed, convenient and accessible place on such trains.

195.25(2) (2) Any railroad company violating this section shall forfeit not less than $25 nor more than $100. Any person who shall remove or destroy or cause the removal or destruction of the medical supplies required under sub. (1) after the railroad company has supplied them shall be subject to the same penalty.

195.25 History History: 1985 a. 187; 1997 a. 254.

195.26 195.26 Safety devices; block system. Every railroad and water carrier shall adopt reasonably adequate safety measures and install, operate and maintain reasonably adequate safety devices for the protection of life and property to the extent consistent with federal law. If after investigation the office shall determine that public safety requires it, the office may, if permitted under federal law, order a railroad to install, operate and maintain a block system or order a railroad or water carrier to install, operate, and maintain any other safety device or measure as may be necessary to render the operation of the railroad or water carrier reasonably safe.

195.26 History History: 1981 c. 347 s. 80 (1); 1993 a. 16, 123; 2005 a. 179.

195.27 195.27 Safe tracks and bridges. Every railroad shall construct and maintain its tracks, bridges and line structures in a reasonably adequate and safe manner consistent with federal law.

195.27 History History: 1977 c. 418; 1981 c. 347 s. 80 (1); 1993 a. 16, 123; 2005 a. 179.

195.28 195.28 Protecting grade crossings.

195.28(1) (1) Petition; hearing; order. Upon petition of the department, city council, village board, town board, superintendent of highways or by 5 or more electors in any town, village or city, or of any railroad corporation or railroad historical society, to determine whether a public highway and railroad grade crossing protects and promotes public safety, the office may investigate and issue an appropriate order without a public hearing. If the petitioner, railroad, railroad historical society or any interested party objects to the order and requests a hearing within 20 days after the date that the order is issued, the office shall proceed under s. 195.04. Notice of an investigation or hearing shall be served upon the department, which shall be an interested party, and any recommendation it may file with the office at or prior to a hearing, if there is one, regarding crossing protection shall be considered as evidence in the proceeding. The office shall determine whether the existing warning devices at such crossing are adequate to protect and promote public safety. If the office determines, either without or after a hearing, that protection is not adequate, it may order the railroad company or railroad historical society to keep a flagman at the crossing or to install automatic signals or other suitable safety device at specific locations at such crossing. The office may order the relocation of existing signals and devices to improve protection at a crossing. Any crossing protection installed or maintained as approved by the office, whether by order or otherwise, shall be deemed adequate and appropriate protection for the crossing.