Legislative Report - November 2026
2027 Legislative Issues
It has been a very busy end of September and beginning of October. We had Motorcycle Rights groups from across the country come to Wisconsin for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation’s (MRFs) Meeting of the Minds, we had our own Annual Meeting, throw in a few region meetings attended, an awesome social ride put on by a region, and meeting with motorcycle clubs, and the time is gone.
Let’s start at the beginning of the list, Meeting of the Minds. Congratulations to ABATE of Wisconsin for putting on an impressive event and showing why we are the strongest motorcycle rights organizations in the country. It takes an army to put this event on, and to those that helped make it successful, thank you.
This is my favorite conference because we get to meet with the brightest minds in the motorcycle rights movements, many of whom have been doing this way longer than me. It is an opportunity to learn from their successes and struggles, and a fantastic opportunity to share ours. The highlight for me is when the SMRO’s set the MRF’s Legislative Agenda for the next year. Autonomous vehicle technology, definition of a motorcycle, data recorder ownership, protecting internal combustion engine sales, profiling of motorcyclists, and right to repair are all issues we are working on, or worked on. We will continue to support the MRF, by working with the Wisconsin members of Congress, and Senators in Washington DC to ensure that Wisconsin is doing their part to protect motorcyclists’ rights across the nation.
Similarly, our ABATE Annual Meeting was held last month and that is where we set the legislative agenda for 2027 in Madison. The question always is, what is important for motorcyclists in Wisconsin and how can we achieve success? Our agenda is very similar to last year with the addition of understanding where the state is going with e-bikes and ramping up to address motorcyclist profiling. I will get to those in a minute but let me go over the rest of the stuff first.
Right to Repair – continue to address the need for language to allow a consumer to have the tools and technology (for a reasonable fee) to repair their own vehicles and devices, or to be able to take them to repair shop of their choice.
Level 4 and Level 5 autonomous testing in the state – oppose any guidelines to allow Level 4 and Level 5 testing on public roads until the company can provide a report on how their technology has been tested to be safe around motorcycles and show the results of the testing.
Protecting the sale of internal combustion engine vehicles and devices – ensure that a consumer can purchase a vehicle, or device with a fuel source for the engine appropriate for their needs and budget, based on their own research.
Protecting E10 or less – ensuring that any business that gets state or local money to install pumps or distribution equipment to deliver higher ethanol fuels, be required to sell E10 or less since that is the only gas legal for us to use.
Speed cameras – Be part of the discussions on the use and operation of speed cameras across the state.
E-bikes and e-motos – be part of the discussion to ensure that e-bike and e-moto language does not fall into the motorcycle category and fatalities are separate from licensed, on-road motorcycles.
Profiling of motorcyclists – Start to draft a position paper to ensure law enforcement has language in their training manuals that define what profiling of a motorcyclists is and to ensure that we are not stopped, or watched, because of our mode of transportation or attire.
So, there it is. A summary of our legislative agenda for 2027. We discussed our Lobby Day talking points but more importantly, we discussed how we can achieve success with our agenda. It is going to take all of us to do our part, no matter how small it is, to be effective. We will have more on all of this in the coming months leading up to our Lobby Day on March 18th. Plan on joining us to help us protect these freedoms and rights. Take the day off work or rearrange your schedule to join us in Madison.
Other things. This is an election year for State and Regional Officers, I want to thank everyone that threw their hat in the ring to be a leader in our organization and congratulations to those that won their election. Being an officer, whether it is on the Regional or State level, is a huge responsibility as you are the face of the Region, or the State. These positions come with very few rewards and recognition other than that personal feeling that you are doing everything in your power to help create a safe and enjoyable environment in Wisconsin through your actions and words. Thank you!
Final thoughts from Steve. November 3rd is an election for state and federal legislators. Do you know who is running, and if they support our issues? Every election is important and it is each member’s responsibility to learn about the candidates other than what you hear or see from the media or social media. How do they really feel about Right to Repair? Or protecting the only gas we can legally use? Before they get into office is a great time to learn their position so we can hold them accountable when they get elected. Most importantly, get out and vote to protect our rights and freedoms!
That’s it.
Steve
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