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Legislative Accomplishments
The Wisconsin ATV / UTV Association is has a long and proud track record of enacting legislation that moves our sport forward. Below are accomplishments of the association in the last 20 years.
| 2007 | Senate Bill 514 Act 209 |
Created a UTV (Light Utility Vehicle) pilot program that was conducted for several years. |
| 2009 | Senate Bill 448 Act 20 |
Extended UTV (Light Utility Vehicle) Pilot Program |
| 2011 | Senate Bill 354 Act 208 | Provided permanent registration and updated regulations for UTVs. Introduced major changes, including defining a UTV, aligning UTVs with ATV laws, requiring operators to be at least 16 years old and have ATV Safety Certification, registration categories, new non-resident 5-day ATV/UTV trail pass, late registration renewal fee, funding for ATV trails allowing UTVs, rear license plate, registration free weekend, expiration date of registrations, tampering of odometers. |
| 2013 | Senate Bill 32 Companion: Assembly Bill 43 Act 15 | Youth safety bill/grandparents bill relating to age restrictions, safety certificates, and speed reductions regarding the operation of an ATV. |
| 2013 | Senate Bill 29 Companion: Assembly Bill 44 Act 16 | Created Governors ORV Council. |
| 2017 | Senate Bill 392 Companion: Assembly Bill 485 Act 87 | Allowed the operation of an ATV or UTV on the roadway or shoulder of a highway for the purpose of crossing a bridge, even if the roadway is officially closed to ATV or UTV traffic. |
| 2017 | Assembly Bill 442 Companion: Senate Bill 437 Act 193 | Provided guidelines for political subdivisions to designate ATV routes, erect signs, and allowed the designation of all highways within territorial boundaries as ATV routes. |
| 2017 | State Budget Item 22 | Reinstated the Safety Enhancement Program – Trail Patrol Ambassador program. |
| 2019 | Senate Bill 583 Companion: Assembly Bill 652 Act 183 | - Eliminated the requirement for low-pressure or non-pneumatic tires on ATVs and UTVs. - Provided a measurement method for the width of an ATV or UTV - Introduced various modifications and exemptions related to registration, auxiliary lighting, diming high beams for oncoming vehicles, operation during emergencies, acquisition of communications equipment, compliance with stop signs or other regulatory signs, and safety information sign funding for nonprofit organizations. |
| 2021 | Senate Bill 269 Companion: Assembly Bill 265 Act 70 | Increased weight definition for UTVs to 3,000 lbs. |
| 2021 | Senate Bill 364 Companion: Assembly Bill 366 Act 103 | Eliminated the 40' rule requiring the need for a light barrier during nighttime travel. |
| 2021 | Senate Bill 506 Companion: Assembly Bill 516 Act 164 | Local authorities may designate highways as ATV routes, with the ability to post specific speed limits for ATVs and UTVs. |
| 2021 | Senate Bill 727 Companion: Assembly Bill 760 Act 176 | Combined six DNR ATV and UTV appropriations into three, streamlining funding. |
| 2023 | Senate Bill 239 Companion: Assembly Bill 238 Act 67 | Moved mapping app and communications for TPA program from ORV council to DNR LE budget with a yearly appropriation. |
| 2023 | State Budget: Departmentwide Item 8 State Budget: Law Enforcement Item 4 | - Increased maximum summer trail maintenance funding for ATV trails allowing UTVs from $200/mile to $400/mile. - Increased funding for County ATV/UTV Law Enforcement grants to $1.3 million. - Increased by 3 the number of positions for the warden team in the State Budget. |
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