Senate Bill 188 proposes an amendment to Wisconsin statute 757.05 (1) (a) regarding the imposition of penalty surcharges on fines or forfeitures for certain violations of state law or local ordinances. Currently, a penalty surcharge of 26 percent is added to the fine or forfeiture amount, and if a fine or forfeiture is suspended, the surcharge is reduced proportionally. The bill expands this provision to include cases where a fine or forfeiture is reduced, ensuring that the penalty surcharge is also reduced in proportion to the reduction of the fine or forfeiture.

The specific legal language changes include the insertion of "or reduced" to clarify that the surcharge reduction applies not only to suspended fines but also to reduced fines. This amendment aims to create a fairer system by ensuring that individuals are not penalized with a surcharge that does not reflect the actual amount they are required to pay. The bill has been introduced by Senator Feyen and co-sponsored by several representatives, and it has been referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety for further consideration.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 757.05(1)(a), 757.05