Legislative Report - May 2026

Steve Panten

2026 Legislative Accomplishments

We Can Be Proud Of

The legislative session has ended for 2026 except for Special Sessions called by the Governor for issues that he feels are important. While these sessions are important for some, our legislative goals are done until 2027. We had some success, but we had disappointments. Disappointments in the Governor vetoing our bill that would have protected a consumer’s right to purchase a new vehicle or equipment with a fuel source of their choice. Disappointment in the State Legislature for not even considering scheduling a Public Hearing for a bill that would have protected the small, independent repair shops across the state.

We also had some accomplishments and things that we should be very proud of. Even though the governor vetoed SB 184, our bill that would have protected a consumer’s choice on vehicles and equipment, we got it passed out of the legislature and to his desk. That is incredible and we should be proud of the work that we did. Another accomplishment is our very successful Lobby Day. Every office had a biker walk in to present the same message about the issues important to all motorcyclists in the state. When I sit back after Lobby Day and breathe again, I am amazed at the commitment and dedication our members have when it comes to fighting for our freedom and right

And then of course our biggest accomplishment of the session. The motorcyclists in the state were able to stop a bill that would have provided regulations allowing Level 4 and Level 5 autonomous vehicles operating on the roads in Wisconsin. ABATE of Wisconsin, and the motorcyclists that we represent did that. It was not special interest groups pouring millions of dollars into the issue, it was motorcyclists showing up. Not only did we show up and sat through 2 ½ hours of hearings to get to our bill, then we presented responsible and accurate information on why this is not acceptable until the manufacturers improve the safety of the vehicles for all road users. I have said this before, but I am going to say it again…I am proud to be a member of ABATE of Wisconsin.

The legislative session in Wisconsin may be over until 2027 but that does not mean our work is done. We need to focus on what is happening in Washington DC and we need to prepare for elections coming up in August. In DC we have Wisconsin Congressman Van Orden fighting to fix the Federal definition of a motorcycle. He is under fire from Polaris and from motorcycle manufacturers represented by the Motorcycle Industry Council, so the motorcyclists in Wisconsin need to align and support his efforts. We need to look for any Call to Action that comes from the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, and we need to respond. This month, members from across the state will be traveling to Washington DC to join motorcyclists from across the nation as part of the MRF’s Bikers Inside the Beltway. We will be presenting the MRF’s legislative agenda to our legislators, and we will inform them on how these issues affect motorcyclists in the state. More on that next month, but I am excited to be traveling to Washington DC with this group.

Let’s talk about elections now. We had a big election in April that affected a lot of local races as well as electing a new Wisconsin Supreme Court member. Did you vote? Did you know who you were voting for in the local races? Or the school board race? Elections matter. If we learned anything from defeating the autonomous vehicle bill, it is that we can be successful if we show up. In this case it means showing up and voting. Many of our friends in Madison are stepping down and not running again. We are losing people that have been watching out for us, so now what? Who is going to replace them? Many of the people that are going to be running in August hold an elected position in your community so do you know them? Please, get to know the candidates and when they announce that they are running. We have a month or so before we start to see candidates stepping forward and walking in parades, stop and talk to them. Do they support motorcycling and the motorcyclist’s lifestyle? We have one chance to get our friends into the big white building in Madison and that is in the fall election.

Final thoughts by Steve. May is finally here and it is exciting to see people enjoying the warmer weather, and the beautiful areas in the State to ride. While we take great pleasure in enjoying being back on the motorcycle, remember that it comes with responsibilities to be safe and to take care of each other. Reducing fatalities should be everyone’s goal this year. We cannot continue to represent 3% of the vehicles on the road and, yet over 20% of the fatalities. With over 50% of the motorcyclist fatalities being single vehicle crashes, we can fix that number. Ride safe, ride free, and watch out for your brothers and sisters.

That’s it.

Steve