(The Center Square) – Wisconsin lawmakers are looking to close a loophole that they say allow Wisconsin residents to register their all-terrain or utility task vehicle in another state and then not follow Wisconsin law on where the vehicle can be legally driven.
Senate Bill 221 would require any ATV or UTV to follow Wisconsin law based upon how Wisconsin would classify the vehicle regardless of what the title says for the state where the vehicle is registered.
Sen. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green, said the issue has come up with ATV and UTV registered in South Dakota and Montana but driven in Wisconsin.
“They’re contacting people in Wisconsin and saying ‘Hey, if you register your UTV to an LLC in Montana or South Dakota, we can license that as a motor vehicle, not as an ATV or UTV,’” Marklein said. “And, because of that, they tell Wisconsin residents that you can now use this motor vehicle on any road in the state of Wisconsin.”
Marklein said that the current system of UTV and ATV routes and trails in the state and laws on using those vehicles are locally regulated and usage is determined on the local level.
“By circumventing the current registration process in Wisconsin, they would effectively be circumventing the ability for local municipalities to register their vehicle.”
The bill also allows non-residents access to all Wisconsin ATV and UTV trails and approved routes.
“Our registration system directly funds trail development, trail maintenance, trail rehabilitation and law enforcement safety education and other critical services,” said Wisconsin ATV Association President Randy Harden.
The registration system is a tax that allows ATV and UTV owners to pay their own way by paying for the trail system, Harden said, meaning it is important that out-of-state vehicle owners also pay for using the system.
Harden said the out-of-state companies are “actively marketing” the registration workaround and it is impacting funding for Wisconsin trails.
