(The Center Square) – Lawmakers in Wisconsin are looking to clarify the
rules for off-road vehicles that are registered in other states.
The Assembly’s Transportation Committee on Tuesday held a hearing on a plan, AB 221, that would treat all out of state ATVs and UTVs the same as those that are registered in the state.
“Unfortunately, out-of-state companies are encouraging Wisconsin residents to exploit a loophole, registering their recreational vehicles as commercial vehicles in South Dakota and Montana, and avoid Wisconsin’s rules,” Rep. Jeff Mursau, R-Crivitz, said. “These reclassifications are misleading and undermine our registration system, local control, and public safety.”
Mursau said courts have already “rejected this scheme” in individual cases, but he said the law remains “unclear.”
This bill closes the loophole ensuring that only vehicles meeting Wisconsin definition of ATV/UTV can operate on our public trails and routes,” he added.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, which has jurisdiction over those ATV/UTV routes said allowing out of state registrations also saps some of the money that Wisconsin uses to maintain its off-road trails and paths.
“When owners circumvent Wisconsin registration and trail pass regulations, and register their machines in other states, it does divert funds from our ATV and UTV program,” DNR Law Enforcement Policy Officer Matthew Wehn told lawmakers.
Registering ATVs and UTVs in other states can also lead drivers to take them out on regular roads. Wehn and lawmakers said that’s dangerous in Wisconsin.
“Allowing operation by ATVs or UTVs as a motor vehicle does blur the line between motor vehicles and ATVs and UTVs, it creates confusion for the public law enforcement motor vehicle operators,” Wehn added.
While the plan was before lawmakers on Tuesday, it will likely be months before it gets a vote in either the Assembly or the State Senate.
