2025 - 2026 LEGISLATURE
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2025 SENATE BILL 38
February 12, 2025 - Introduced by Senators HUTTON, CARPENTER, BRADLEY,
SPREITZER and RATCLIFF, cosponsored by Representatives WICHGERS, ALLEN,
BEHNKE, B. JACOBSON, KNODL, KREIBICH, MAXEY, MELOTIK, MURSAU,
SINICKI, SNYDER, TUSLER and UDELL. Referred to Committee on
Transportation and Local Government.
AN ACT to amend 341.145 (3) of the statutes; relating to: personalized
registration plate fees for gold star family special registration plates.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill exempts special group plates for gold star families from personalized
registration plate fees.
Current law enumerates special groups whose members may obtain from the
Department of Transportation special motor vehicle registration plates. Among the
special groups is a group for persons who qualify under federal law for a gold star
lapel button (commonly known as gold star family), which signifies that the
recipient is the immediate family member of a member of the U.S. armed forces who
died while serving during a time of conflict. Special group plates may be
personalized by the person to whom the plates are issued.
Under current law, DOT collects a registration fee for initial and renewal
registrations of most motor vehicles. In addition to the regular registration fee,
DOT charges an annual fee of $15 for the issuance or reissuance of most special
registration plates and an additional annual fee of $15 for the issuance,
maintenance, or reissuance of most personalized plates.
Under current law, gold star special registration plate holders must pay the
general registration fee, but are not assessed the special registration fee. If the
plate holder personalizes the plate, he or she is assessed the $15 personalization
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fee. The bill exempts special group plates for gold star families from the
personalization fee.
For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as
an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SECTION 1. 341.145 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
341.145 (3) In addition to the regular application fee provided under s. 341.25
(1) (a), (c) or (j) or (2) or 341.26 (3) (a) 2. or (am), the applicant for a personalized
registration plate issued on an annual basis shall pay a fee of $15 for the issuance of
the plate and $15 in each succeeding year to maintain the plate. In addition to the
regular application fee provided under s. 341.25 (1) (b) or 341.26 (3) (a) 1., the
applicant for a personalized registration plate issued on a biennial basis shall pay a
fee of $30 for issuance of the plate if the plate is issued during the first year of the
biennial registration period or $15 for issuance of the plate if the plate is issued
during the 2nd year of the biennial registration period. The fee to maintain a
personalized plate issued on a biennial basis is $30. The fee for reissuance of a
personalized plate shall be $15 for an annual registration and $30 for a biennial
registration. An No fee may be charged to an applicant for personalized plates
issued under sub. (1) (b) or (c) shall not be required to pay the fee (1g) (a) or (b) for
initial issuance of the plates. No fee may be charged to a member of a special group
specified under s. 341.14 (6r) (f) 19m. for maintenance or reissuance of plates issued
under sub. (1g) (b) displaying the applicable symbol of the special group specified
under s. 341.14 (6r) (f) 19m.
SECTION 2. Effective date.
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SECTION 2
(1) This act takes effect on the first day of the 7th month beginning after
publication.
(END)
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