Contact: Rep. Considine (608) 266-7746
Rep. Moore Omokunde (608)266-5580
Rep. Ortiz-Velez (608) 267-7669
Rep. Shelton (608) 266-0616
Rep. Snodgrass (608) 266-3070
Members of the Assembly Transportation Committee Take Action
Madison – Today, members of the Assembly Committee on Transportation introduced three bills to increase efficiencies in Wisconsin’s transportation and infrastructure. Democrats are eager to take action on these bills, which tackle road test waivers, REAL ID funding, and the online driver’s license renewal program.
“These bills will increase efficiencies at the Wisconsin Department of Transportation,” said Representative Dave Considine (D-Baraboo), who serves as ranking member on the committee. “The bill I introduced today extends the road test waiver program which began during COVID-19. This program has been proven to be safe and effective. I look forward to a public hearing on this proposal as well as the rest of the bills introduced today.”
Rep. Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (D-Milwaukee) agreed on the importance of this package, and is a co-sponsor of the skills test waiver legislation. Rep. Ortiz-Velez stated:
“This package of bills will help to keep our Department of Transportation functioning in the best possible way to serve the people of Wisconsin. The driver’s skill test waiver maintains safety of our roads while generating administrative savings at DOT. It will also help families having a hard time scheduling driving tests due to COVID complications.”
Rep. Kristina Shelton (D-Green Bay) introduced a bill relating to online license renewals, stating:
“Today, the office of the 90th Assembly District is thrilled to put forward legislation that seeks to make permanent the pilot program for online drivers’ license renewals in the state of Wisconsin. Initially created as a COVID-19 measure to decrease the frequency of in-person DMV visits, this program has benefited more than 110,000 Wisconsinites since its creation and may see many more benefits to come. This program will serve over 317,000 Wisconsinites annually, reduce the burden and requirements of staffing in local DMVs, and bring our state up to speed with Michigan, Illinois, and Iowa, who all have similar online programs.”
Rep. Supreme Moore-Omokunde (D-Milwaukee), also serves on the Assembly Committee on Transportation. He shared the following statement:
“Good transportation policy is crucial to a healthy Wisconsin – it’s a central policymaking tool to move our state towards climate and economic equity. Today’s bills represent an important opportunity for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to stay caught up amidst an elevated workload during the COVID-19 pandemic whilst simultaneously modernizing our state’s transportation policy. I am honored to co-sponsor this legislation with my Democratic colleagues on the Assembly Committee on Transportation.”
Rep. Lee Snodgrass (D-Appleton) circulated a bill to increase REAL ID funding. Rep. Snodgrass commented:
“Only 40% of Wisconsinites are in compliance with the Federal REAL ID requirements and the May 2023 deadline will be here before we know it. We need to provide state funding to help move the process along and meet Federal compliance to ensure airline security by the deadline. This simple bill will provide funding for the REAL ID which supports the Department of Transportation’s efforts to follow procedures in processing and verifying these REAL ID applications. This is a non-controversial bill and I look forward to wide bi-partisan support.”
All three bills are now circulating for co-sponsorship.