Legislative Report - July 2025

Steve Panten

Freedom of Choice

Happy 4th of July! Celebrating America’s freedom from rule by Great Britain, and an end to monarchy and tyranny rule resulted in the rebirth of Liberty through the signing of the Declaration of Independence. While we may not truly understand the bravery of those members of the Second Continental Congress, we are all beneficiaries of their wisdom and vision for those 13 colonies. 11 years later we were granted the right to help shape our government with the signing of the Constitution.

ABATE of Wisconsin, and the motorcyclists in Wisconsin that we represent in Madison and Washington DC, understand the importance of protecting the rights and freedoms we value. We do this every day in our ability to meet with our elected representatives and express our concerns to them. They may not always agree with us but there is an avenue to correct that as well, it’s called elections.

Having the freedom to purchase a vehicle or device with a fuel source that we feel is appropriate for our needs and budget, is one of the topics that we are addressing. Should the government tell you what type of engine you must have in your new motorcycle, car, ATV/UTV, chainsaw, tractor, skid loader or anything that needs to operate with power and torque? We do not feel they should. We understand technology is improving and there are sources of “fuel” besides the internal combustion engine, but we feel that until technology can match what we need that vehicle or device for, we should have a choice. ABATE built a long history on Freedom of Choice, isn’t this what we are talking about?

ABATE of Wisconsin worked with Senator Tomczyk and Representative Tucker to draft SB184/AB161 to protect all consumers in Wisconsin from regulations drafted by other states. Why should regulations adopted in California through the California Air Resources Board (CARB) affect those of us in Wisconsin when we do not have the ability to elect representation in that state? Well, here it is. California has the fourth largest economy in the world, even passing Japan. Manufacturers are not going to build special vehicles and devices to meet California’s stricter emission regulations, they are only going to build one vehicle and device, and it is going to meet California’s standards. This is especially true when 17 other states and Washington DC have adopted the same standards, but we do not need to follow.

How can we protect consumers in Wisconsin? Ask our elected officials to support SB184/AB161. Both pieces of legislation have passed out of their respective committees with zero support from the Democrat members. The Senate passed it out of their committee with a vote of 3-2 and the Assembly passed it with a vote of 5-1. We have friends in the Democrat Party that have supported us in the past, and will help push our agenda in the future, but they have dug their heels in on this one. If we want to do our part to protect consumers in Wisconsin, we need all the help that we can get to influence our elected officials that this is important to everyone in the state. This is a Freedom of Choice issue. We can’t stop what other states are doing but we can affect change in Wisconsin.

July is parade and community fair season, so every elected official is going to make the rounds, shaking hands and kissing babies, so let’s get out there and talk to them. Ask them to support AB161/SB184. The bill to prevent government restrictions based on the energy source of a vehicle or device. If a consumer feels that an electric car is good for them, they should have the right to purchase one. If they feel that they need an internal combustion engine because of what they need it for, they should be able to purchase it. It’s Freedom of Choice and it is a right that should be important to everyone.

Both bills are ready to be scheduled for a floor vote. If the Senate votes on it first, the Assembly will be voting on the Senate version, but if the Assembly votes on their bill first, guess what happens…. yep, the Senate will vote on the Assembly version. Now is the time to meet with your legislators one-on-one, especially if they are Democrats. Ask if they will support it and if not, what can we change to get their support. Yes, it is the same version as last session and yes, the governor did veto it but that does not make it any less important to residents in the state. Wisconsin is one of the states that historically has adopted California’s CARB emission standards and there is nothing showing us they won’t again. Get your friends and family to help. The message needs to be out there that consumers in Wisconsin should be able to decide what energy source is appropriate for their needs and budget.

Our Right to Repair legislation is about to be pushed as well. AB135/SB129 will require manufacturers to provide the tools and technology for a consumer to make repairs on their own, or to take it to a shop of their choice for repairs. We have been working with the Wisconsin Collision Repair Professionals and, although the language is not exactly what they want, we feel that the language does address their concerns. Once we confirm one point with Legislative Council (Leg Council) we will be able to try pushing this bill for a Public Hearing, then the fun starts. Although 8 states have passed some sort of Right to Repair legislation, it looks like every group is coming out of the woodwork to oppose ours. General Motors, Polaris, Harley Davidson, Automobile and Truck Dealers Association, Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce and the Motorcycle Industry Council have all expressed opposition. We need help from all the independent shops and small businesses so look for that push to come soon. Freedom of Choice. The ability to have our vehicles and devices repaired at a shop of our choice should be our right.

That’s it,

Steve