12/5/03-A bill that would permit police officers to pull over drivers for failure to wear a seat belt remains in an Assembly panel.
AB90’s sponsor, Rep. John Ainsworth, R-Shawano, said he has run into enough opposition that he won’t risk having the seat belt bill for a vote of the full Assembly until he knows the votes are there to pass it.
For bill status, call (608) 266-1501. In Wisconsin, call 1-800-362-9472.

5/19/03-An Assembly panel is reviewing a bill that would permit police officers to pull over drivers for failure to wear a seat belt.
Under current law, police can issue seat-belt citations only if they stop drivers for another traffic violation.
With new authority, police can pull over drivers if they are not buckled up. Under AB90, the fine would be $25, up from the current $10.
The measure, sponsored by Rep. John Ainsworth, R-Shawano, also provides that any driver ticketed in Wisconsin for a seat-belt infraction cannot be taken into custody.
The bill passed out of the Assembly transportation committee May 1. It has been forwarded to the Assembly rules committee.
For bill status, call (608) 266-1501. In Wisconsin, call 1-800-362-9472.

4/23/03-A House lawmaker is pushing legislation that that would permit police officers to pull over drivers for failure to wear a seat belt.
Under current law, police can issue seat-belt citations only if they stop drivers for another traffic violation.
With new authority, police can pull over drivers if they are not buckled up. Under AB90, the fine would be $25, up from the current $10.
The bill’s sponsor, Rep. John Ainsworth, R-Shawano, is hopeful the proposal, if signed into law, would curb injuries in the state resulting from failure to wear a seat belt.
The measure also provides that any driver ticketed in Wisconsin for a seat-belt infraction cannot be taken into custody.
It is in the Assembly transportation committee. A similar bill – SB37 – is in the Senate judiciary committee.
For bill status, call 1-800-362-9472.