Testimony by Representative Ted Zigmunt Regarding AB 592
For Assembly Committee on Transportation,
December 3, 2009
Mr. Chairperson, and members of the Transportation Committee, thank-you for allowing me to
present this brief testimony on behalf of Assembly Bill 592, or as we have named it the
“Historical Military Vehicle Bill.” I would also like to thank Chairperson Steinbrink, and
Representatives Ripp, Sinicki, and Vruwink of this committee for signing-on to this important
piece of legislation.
This legislation would ensure that privately owned historic military vehicles, many of which are
owned by veterans, could still be driven in important public events like Memorial Day, Veterans
Day and Fourth of July parades.
A constituent of mine, Jeff Rowsam, brought to my attention new state regulations that would
threaten the ability of military vehicle collectors to register and drive their historic vehicles. This
is clearly an issue that is very important to many collectors like Jeff and other enthusiasts across
the state.
For private collectors, veterans and their families, the preservation, restoration, and public
display of historic military vehicles including WWII Motorcycles, Korean War Jeeps, Vietnam
and Desert Storm era cargo trucks is not just a hobby, but an obligation to share living history.
With increasing numbers of many types of off-road recreational vehicles, the Wisconsin
Department of Transportation (DOT) has taken steps to restrict the registration of “non-standard”
vehicles operating on public highways. This threatens the ability of historic military vehicle
enthusiasts to share their historic equipment with the public. This legislation would allow
historic military vehicles to be licensed similarly to other antique vehicles, allowing them in
parades and special public events.
We have worked together with Mr. Paul Nilsen of the Department of Transportation over many
months to come to an understanding that is satisfactory to all parties involved.
I ask that you hold any questions you may have until Jeff Rowsam completes his testimony. If it
pleases the chairperson and committee members I would like to introduce you to Jeff Rowsam
who has been a Military Vehicle Collector for over 30 years and currently has four restored
Historic Military Vehicles.
