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: April 16, 2025 Contact: Amber Otis, Senior Staff Attorney
2025 Senate Bill 65 Senate Amendment 1
2025 SENATE BILL 65
2025 Senate Bill 65 enables a political subdivision to pass an ordinance authorizing a law enforcement
officer to seize and impound a vehicle upon issuing a citation for reckless driving to the driver of the
vehicle. Under the bill, the vehicle may remain impounded until all the costs of impounding the vehicle
are paid, and any forfeitures or fines the owner owes are also paid.
Under the bill, the law enforcement officer who seizes a vehicle must take steps to determine whether
the vehicle has been reported as stolen; if it has been reported as stolen, the bill requires the officer or
the political subdivision to make a reasonable attempt to contact the owner and to return the vehicle to
its owner without charge.
If an impounded vehicle remains unclaimed for 90 days after the disposition of the citation for reckless
driving, or for 60 days after a law enforcement officer determines the vehicle has been reported stolen,
the bill authorizes the political subdivision to dispose of the vehicle in the same manner it may dispose
of an abandoned vehicle.
SENATE AMENDMENT 1
Under Senate Amendment 1, the impoundment authorized by an ordinance may occur when a law
enforcement officer issues a citation or arrests a person for a reckless driving offense. Under the
amendment, a political subdivision may dispose of a vehicle if it remains unclaimed for 90 days after
the disposition of the charge for reckless driving.
BILL HISTORY
Senator Wanggaard offered Senate Amendment 1 on March 13, 2025. On April 15, 2025, the Senate
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety recommended adoption of the amendment on votes of Ayes,
7; Noes, 1; and passage of the bill, as amended, on votes of Ayes, 7; Noes, 1.
For a full history of the bill, visit the Legislature’s bill history page.
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