Wisconsin Legislative Council
AMENDMENT 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
Memo published: September 13, 2023 Contact: David Moore, Senior Staff Attorney
2023 Senate Bill 313
Senate
Amendment 1
SENATE BILL 313
Current law requires the operator of a vehicle which approaches from the front or rear any school bus
which has stopped and is displaying flashing red warning lights to stop the vehicle not less than 20 feet
from the bus and remain stopped until the bus resumes motion or the operator of the school bus
extinguishes the flashing warning lights. Under current law, the penalty for failing to stop for a school
bus as required is a forfeiture of not less than $30 and not more than $300.
The bill increases this penalty to a forfeiture of not less than $300 and not more than $1,000. The bill
also requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to assess three demerit points against the
driving record of a person who fails to stop for a school bus as required.
SENATE AMENDMENT 1
Senate Amendment 1 requires DOT to assess four demerit points against the driving record of a person
who fails to stop for a school bus as required to match the number of points currently assessed under
the demerit point system. The amendment also increases the maximum forfeiture for failure to stop for
an authorized emergency vehicle backing into a fire station when required from $300 to $500.
BILL HISTORY
Senator James offered Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 313 on August 28, 2023. On September 5,
2023, the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety voted unanimously to recommend adoption
of Senate Amendment 1 and passage of Senate Bill 313, as amended.
For a full history of the bill, visit the Legislature’s bill history page.
DM:ksm