Assembly Bill 271 proposes to amend Wisconsin law to allow commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) to utilize camera monitor systems as an alternative to traditional mirrors. Currently, state law mandates that all motor vehicles must be equipped with mirrors to provide a rear view, in alignment with federal regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). However, the FMCSA has established an exemption for CMVs that are equipped with specific camera monitor systems, which this bill seeks to incorporate into state law.

The bill introduces a new section, 347.40 (4), which explicitly states that a CMV may be equipped with an FMCSA-approved camera monitor system instead of the mirrors typically required under existing law. This change aims to modernize vehicle safety standards and align state regulations with federal exemptions, potentially enhancing safety and operational efficiency for commercial drivers.