Wisconsin Legislative Council
ACT MEMO
One Ea st Ma in Stre e t, Suite 401 • Ma dison, W I 53703 • (608) 266-1304 • le g.council@le gis.wisconsin.gov • http://www.le gis.wisconsin.gov/lc
Prepared by: Ethan Lauer, Senior Staff Attorney April 1, 2024
2023 Wisconsin Act 167
[2023 Assembly Bill 869]
Traffic Control Signal Priority
Devices
BACKGROUND
State law allows an authorized emergency vehicle
1
to be equipped and operated with a lamp or other
transmitter designed and used to alter the normal sequence of a traffic control signal to provide or
maintain a green signal for the vehicle to proceed through the intersection (“traffic control signal
preemption device”).
2023 WISCONSIN ACT 167
2023 Wisconsin Act 167 allows a snow removal vehicle to be equipped and operated with a lamp or
other transmitter designed and used to request that a traffic control signal provide or maintain a green
signal for the vehicle to proceed through the intersection (“traffic control signal priority device”).
In order to be so equipped and operated, the snow removal vehicle must be: (1) equipped with a
snowplow or anti-icing equipment that is used by a political subdivision
2
for snow removal; (2)
operated by a political subdivision or the agent or lessee of a political subdivision; (3) equipped with
oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights; and (4) actively engaged in snow removal activities.
Under Act 167, the authority responsible for maintenance of a traffic control signal may establish
procedures for resolving conflicts between multiple requests for signal preemption or signal priority at a
traffic signal. A signal preemption request from an authorized emergency vehicle, however, must be
given priority over any signal priority request from a snow removal vehicle.
Effective date: March 23, 2024
For a full history of the bill, visit the Legislature’s bill history page.
EL:jal
1
A police vehicle, a vehicle of a fire department or fire patrol, and certain ambulances.
2
A county, city, village, or town.