Assembly Bill 161 aims to prohibit state agencies and local governmental units in Wisconsin from imposing restrictions on the use or sale of motor vehicles and other devices based on the energy sources that power them. Specifically, the bill defines "motor vehicle" as a self-propelled device designed for transportation and outlines that no governmental body can limit the use or sale of such vehicles or other devices based on their energy source. However, it clarifies that this does not affect existing policies regarding the purchase of motor vehicles for governmental use.

The bill introduces new statutory language under section 995.80, which includes definitions for "local governmental unit," "motor vehicle," and "state agency." It explicitly states that restrictions cannot be placed on the use or sale of motor vehicles or devices based on their energy sources, ensuring that all energy types are treated equally in terms of regulation. This legislation reflects a commitment to maintaining a diverse energy landscape for transportation and device usage in Wisconsin.