AB 454

This bill makes minor and technical changes to rules promulgated by the

Department of Transportation (DOT), including correcting obsolete references and

references to defunct programs and updating or repealing provisions that are

inconsistent with current statutes and federal rules or that were promulgated based

on statutes that have since been amended or repealed. The bill also make several

substantive changes to various rules promulgated by DOT, including the following:

1. DOT's current rules include provisions implementing the Wisconsin

Environmental Policy Act. These rules include provisions that, among other things,

establish criteria and procedures relating to environmental assessments,

environmental impact statements, environmental reports, and categorical

exclusions relating to DOT actions that may affect the quality of the human

environment. Many of these rules reference provisions of the National

Environmental Policy Act. This bill makes various changes to rules relating to the

environmental review process and environmental documentation for transportation

projects, including 1) removing examples of specific actions for which an

environmental assessment or environmental report is or is not required; 2)

standardizing and clarifying content requirements for certain environmental

documentation; 3) modifying certain provisions relating to notice and hearing on

proposed actions; 4) adding provisions relating to revision of final action documents,

including environmental reports and records of decision; 5) modernizing references

to federal law; and 6) eliminating or adding notes and making other minor and

technical changes.

2. The bill changes the methodology by which the department evaluates major

highway projects.

3. The bill allows certain recreational vehicle dealers that do not have a

permanent facility in the state to display and sell recreational vehicles at certain

temporary rally or show sites.

4. The bill authorizes an alternate design for handicapped parking signs

displayed in parking lots.

5. The bill eliminates a continuity-of-service requirement for motor vehicle

rental companies.

6. The bill authorizes the use of electronic signatures on applications for special

identification cards that afford certain parking privileges for persons with a

disability that limits or impairs the ability to walk.