July 2010
Summer progress update on implementing the new WI HMV Law
Since the law was passed and signed in March, we have continued to work with the state DOT on the status of the WI HMV law and when it will go into effect.
The work continues with the new HMV plate and registration materials.
We received a preliminary copy of a PROPOSED DRAFT web page that the DMV wants to post on the subject of HMV’s in the ‘What’s New” area of the DOT web site. It was missing information for MV owners. We helped edit and added to it and returned it to the DMV.
We have reviewed the draft of the new DMV registration form for Wisconsin HMV’s and made recommendations that are being included to make the form easy to complete. The new HMV license plate sample has been created and we have been showing it to collectors at meetings and events. The single star design won the vote over the WWII invasion star design by a close margin. The plate sample we reviewed is only one color. This is not the final finished design. The raised letters and star in the photo will be white on the actual plates. The green plate color does not match the sample we requested and DMV agrees. They have gone back to the supplier for a darker OD to match the PMS color codes we requested.
We have met with Rep Ted Zigmunt, Rep Tom Nelson and with Senator Dave Hanson recently and discussed the HMV bill and what we want to change in the future. They are ready to work with us in the future to improve the language in the Zigmunt HMV bill.
It is likely the DMV will begin taking applications for HMV registration before Oct 1, 2010. It depends on the DOT completing the computer code, application forms and plate availability. They are getting close to completing the process and will begin taking new applications as soon as the internal process is ready. Watch for release in the “What’s New” box the Wisconsin DOT Web Site.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Wisconsin HMV Law Summary
On March 3rd, 2010, Wisconsin Assembly Bill AB 592, registration of Historic Military Vehicles became Wisconsin Act 135 and was signed into law by Gov. Jim Doyle at the State Capitol.
To answer questions about the provisions of the new law, here is a summary that briefly explains the points of the bill. Read the bill for the full legal read.
What is created by the new law:
1) Allow privately owned former military vehicles to be registered and operated in Wisconsin as an item of historic interest.
2) Creates a new license plate only for HMV’s
a. Two per vehicle one front and one rear
3) Any former wheeled military vehicle may be registered
4) Wheeled Armor is allowed
5) One time application, non expiring plates. No future renewal requirements
6) Low cost for new registrations.
a. No fee to re-register from existing Collector plates
b. $5 + $25 = $30 per each new vehicle registration
c. The fee goes back to $5 when the state has collected $11, 800 to cover the development and administrative cost of the new plate
7) No age requirement for US manufactured HMV to qualify (That’s A Biggie)
a. Doesn’t matter and no need to prove if it is a 1935 or a 1975 or a 2005 military truck – it is now considered historic, period.
8) Foreign imported HMV’s must be 25 years old to qualify for registration
a. Federal requirement
9) No weight restriction
10) Municipalities, including Vol. fire departments can continue to operate MV’s under municipal registrations
a. And sell them to collectors when they are done
11) Military trailers that require a license plate will use an HMV plate
12) No mileage limits
13) No annual inspection requirement
14) Must be kept in unmodified original military configuration
15) Original military style markings are encouraged
16) Military motorcycles are included. With smaller size HMV plate
What is prohibited:
1) Vehicle is to be used for events, displays, club activities, parades and is expected to be operated occasionally as part of normal vehicle maintenance.
2) The HMV may not be used for daily transportation or commercial operation.
3) Commercial advertizing or non military paint scheme.
4) Tracked vehicles will not be registered.
What else you need to know:
1) The law becomes effective October 1st, 2010. Don’t try and apply before then.
2) Continue to operate on existing collector plate until the forms and new plates are available after September.
3) The DMV will not send any notice to current owners of HMV’s with collector or regular plates
4) Current owners of HMV’s with collector plates must by law re-apply for the new HMV plate and remove the blue collector plates.
a. Operating with regular or collector plates after the change over will make you subject to a vehicle citation and fine.
5) Application will only be by mail to Madison DMV. Forms will be on line. If you try and go to the local DMV branch, they will mail the documents to Madison anyway.
6) No additional fee for the new plates for vehicles already registered as collector now.
7) The blue collector plates are yours, you keep them. Can be re assigned to your future GTO or Corvette
8) The new plate will be a random number. We could not keep your collector number or have the second vehicle “A” “B” “C” letter scheme for additional vehicles.
9) If your current title has incorrect or incomplete descriptions, the DMV will consider correcting it in the reapplication process. If your Ford GPW has always been incorrectly shown as a Willys Jeep, and you can’t sleep at night, now is the time to correct it.
a. You will have to show some evidence from the manual or reference books to demonstrate how the correct information should read.
10) The application will likely require a photo or two of the actual vehicle to verify it is military and unmodified.
11) The application for registration may require a copy of an illustration from a military TM manual or collector reference book for the DMV to verify it is U.S. military or whatever.
These are simply notes from our review and meetings with the DMV. The Law is the law and overrides any implied instruction shown here. This list is subject to change as the process proceeds. We believe this summary indicates correct information from state of Wisconsin documents at this time.
To answer questions about the provisions of the new law, here is a summary that briefly explains the points of the bill. Read the bill for the full legal read.
What is created by the new law:
1) Allow privately owned former military vehicles to be registered and operated in Wisconsin as an item of historic interest.
2) Creates a new license plate only for HMV’s
a. Two per vehicle one front and one rear
3) Any former wheeled military vehicle may be registered
4) Wheeled Armor is allowed
5) One time application, non expiring plates. No future renewal requirements
6) Low cost for new registrations.
a. No fee to re-register from existing Collector plates
b. $5 + $25 = $30 per each new vehicle registration
c. The fee goes back to $5 when the state has collected $11, 800 to cover the development and administrative cost of the new plate
7) No age requirement for US manufactured HMV to qualify (That’s A Biggie)
a. Doesn’t matter and no need to prove if it is a 1935 or a 1975 or a 2005 military truck – it is now considered historic, period.
8) Foreign imported HMV’s must be 25 years old to qualify for registration
a. Federal requirement
9) No weight restriction
10) Municipalities, including Vol. fire departments can continue to operate MV’s under municipal registrations
a. And sell them to collectors when they are done
11) Military trailers that require a license plate will use an HMV plate
12) No mileage limits
13) No annual inspection requirement
14) Must be kept in unmodified original military configuration
15) Original military style markings are encouraged
16) Military motorcycles are included. With smaller size HMV plate
What is prohibited:
1) Vehicle is to be used for events, displays, club activities, parades and is expected to be operated occasionally as part of normal vehicle maintenance.
2) The HMV may not be used for daily transportation or commercial operation.
3) Commercial advertizing or non military paint scheme.
4) Tracked vehicles will not be registered.
What else you need to know:
1) The law becomes effective October 1st, 2010. Don’t try and apply before then.
2) Continue to operate on existing collector plate until the forms and new plates are available after September.
3) The DMV will not send any notice to current owners of HMV’s with collector or regular plates
4) Current owners of HMV’s with collector plates must by law re-apply for the new HMV plate and remove the blue collector plates.
a. Operating with regular or collector plates after the change over will make you subject to a vehicle citation and fine.
5) Application will only be by mail to Madison DMV. Forms will be on line. If you try and go to the local DMV branch, they will mail the documents to Madison anyway.
6) No additional fee for the new plates for vehicles already registered as collector now.
7) The blue collector plates are yours, you keep them. Can be re assigned to your future GTO or Corvette
8) The new plate will be a random number. We could not keep your collector number or have the second vehicle “A” “B” “C” letter scheme for additional vehicles.
9) If your current title has incorrect or incomplete descriptions, the DMV will consider correcting it in the reapplication process. If your Ford GPW has always been incorrectly shown as a Willys Jeep, and you can’t sleep at night, now is the time to correct it.
a. You will have to show some evidence from the manual or reference books to demonstrate how the correct information should read.
10) The application will likely require a photo or two of the actual vehicle to verify it is military and unmodified.
11) The application for registration may require a copy of an illustration from a military TM manual or collector reference book for the DMV to verify it is U.S. military or whatever.
These are simply notes from our review and meetings with the DMV. The Law is the law and overrides any implied instruction shown here. This list is subject to change as the process proceeds. We believe this summary indicates correct information from state of Wisconsin documents at this time.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Governor Signs Wisconsin HMV Bill into Law
On February 23, the Wisconsin Assembly acted on bill AB592 to change the state statutes to allow Historic Military Vehicles to be registered and operated in Wisconsin.
The Assembly passed the bill on a unanimous voice vote. The bill was immediately sent to the Senate were it also passed on a unanimous voice vote. No legislators spoke against the bill.
On March 3 the Governor signed the bill into law.
There will be more to do in the future. We remain committed to continue to expand the statute provisions in the future as Wisconsin MV owners demonstrate the safe operation of our MV's. We consider this "A good start".
It will take a couple of months for the DOT / DMV to put the changes into the state registration system. After that, military vehicle owners who have been waiting to apply can apply for MV registration of vehicles under the new law.
The new law creates our own “Historic Military Vehicle” license plate. Military vehicle owners who have existing collector or other plates will be required to submit an application to the DMV for the new plate for each MV they own. There will be no charge for replacing existing plates. We expect there will be plenty of time, to allow you to continue to use your MV until the application forms and new plates are available.
We are working with the DMV on the details of making the changes. Remember it will be several months before the application forms and plates will be available. The MVPA will send out more details when the information becomes available.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO TOOK THE TIME TO GET INVOLVED AND LOBBY YOUR LEGISLATORS.
The Assembly passed the bill on a unanimous voice vote. The bill was immediately sent to the Senate were it also passed on a unanimous voice vote. No legislators spoke against the bill.
On March 3 the Governor signed the bill into law.
There will be more to do in the future. We remain committed to continue to expand the statute provisions in the future as Wisconsin MV owners demonstrate the safe operation of our MV's. We consider this "A good start".
It will take a couple of months for the DOT / DMV to put the changes into the state registration system. After that, military vehicle owners who have been waiting to apply can apply for MV registration of vehicles under the new law.
The new law creates our own “Historic Military Vehicle” license plate. Military vehicle owners who have existing collector or other plates will be required to submit an application to the DMV for the new plate for each MV they own. There will be no charge for replacing existing plates. We expect there will be plenty of time, to allow you to continue to use your MV until the application forms and new plates are available.
We are working with the DMV on the details of making the changes. Remember it will be several months before the application forms and plates will be available. The MVPA will send out more details when the information becomes available.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO TOOK THE TIME TO GET INVOLVED AND LOBBY YOUR LEGISLATORS.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Testimony – Assembly Committee Hearing
This is the testimony I will give at the Assembly Transportation Committee Public Hearing on Thursday, February 11, 2010.
Jeff Rowsam
Spokesperson representing
Military Vehicle Preservation Association and
Wisconsin Historic Military Vehicle owners
Historic Military Vehicle Collectors are opposed to AB589.
Good Morning,
My name is Jeff Rowsam
I live at 5432 South County Hwy P, Town of New Denmark in Brown County, Wisconsin
I’ve addressed the transportation committee previously on the topic of registration of former military Vehicles. I’m again speaking as a historic military vehicle owner and as spokes person on behalf of the individual members of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association (MVPA) and the Historic Military Vehicle collector groups in Wisconsin.
As we presented previously, we represent over 600 vehicle owners statewide with more than 1500 Historic Military Vehicles (HMV’s). We provided background information previously to each of the committee members about the military vehicle collector hobby and the large numbers of vehicle models we represent.
While SB 589 would create a special interest vehicle definition that would continue the registration of Historic Military Vehicles the bill does not address a number of important issues:
First, the bill requirement for meeting a specific age to be eligible is problematic. U.S. and Foreign military vehicles do not have a model year designation. Many are sold with an estimated year or a notation “Date of Mfg Unknown” or use the date of recent refurbishment which is not the true vintage. Having requirements for meeting a specific age has long been a problem for owners and for the DMV in the registration process.
Second, the bill eliminates the 500 LB cargo weight restriction for former military vehicles. This creates a double standard under the same license plate. Collector civilian trucks are not allowed to haul material and former military trucks would be under this bill. Having two standards under the same license plate creates an enforcement conflict.
Third, the bill does not address the use of former military vehicles by municipal and state government. The DOT would be required to cancel vehicle registrations of military vehicles currently used by volunteer fire departments, the DNR, county highway and emergency government agencies.
Fourth, The DOT voices a concern that former military vehicles pose a higher risk to public safety. That claim is unsupported. There is currently no data to define the military vehicle highway safety record in Wisconsin. Hard data to support the safety record of former military vehicles operated in Wisconsin is imposable to demonstrate when former military vehicles remain mixed with automobiles under collector plate law in AB589.
Fifth, Military motorcycles are not addressed. AB589 excludes former military motorcycles from be registered.
We are also very concerned that the Senate version of the bill SB392 was extensively amended following the senate public hearing. The companion bill to AB589 as SB392 was changed to unfairly address one small owners group and was amended to specifically allow only the Pinzgauer truck of which there are less than 30 in the state. Other owners then began requesting amendments from there legislators to add their own military vehicle model to the bill.
We are very opposed to any amendment that may be considered to create a model specific list of “approved” vehicles. There are hundreds of different military models of many vintages. Naming specific vehicles is unworkable. Any list would be incomplete and would always exclude some previously unlisted or future vehicle model.
As you know, working with HMV owners, the legislature and the DOT to understand the concerns of all sides, a different bill, AB592 was created to address these issues and has already been voted on earlier this morning. That bill better meets the needs for historic preservation of former military vehicles.
The Pope Roberts bill, AB589 as submitted is incomplete and does not solve the multiple registration issues of Historic Military Vehicle owners in Wisconsin.
Thank You.
Jeff Rowsam
For the Military Vehicle Preservation Association
and Wisconsin Military Vehicle Collectors
Jeff Rowsam
Spokesperson representing
Military Vehicle Preservation Association and
Wisconsin Historic Military Vehicle owners
Historic Military Vehicle Collectors are opposed to AB589.
Good Morning,
My name is Jeff Rowsam
I live at 5432 South County Hwy P, Town of New Denmark in Brown County, Wisconsin
I’ve addressed the transportation committee previously on the topic of registration of former military Vehicles. I’m again speaking as a historic military vehicle owner and as spokes person on behalf of the individual members of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association (MVPA) and the Historic Military Vehicle collector groups in Wisconsin.
As we presented previously, we represent over 600 vehicle owners statewide with more than 1500 Historic Military Vehicles (HMV’s). We provided background information previously to each of the committee members about the military vehicle collector hobby and the large numbers of vehicle models we represent.
While SB 589 would create a special interest vehicle definition that would continue the registration of Historic Military Vehicles the bill does not address a number of important issues:
First, the bill requirement for meeting a specific age to be eligible is problematic. U.S. and Foreign military vehicles do not have a model year designation. Many are sold with an estimated year or a notation “Date of Mfg Unknown” or use the date of recent refurbishment which is not the true vintage. Having requirements for meeting a specific age has long been a problem for owners and for the DMV in the registration process.
Second, the bill eliminates the 500 LB cargo weight restriction for former military vehicles. This creates a double standard under the same license plate. Collector civilian trucks are not allowed to haul material and former military trucks would be under this bill. Having two standards under the same license plate creates an enforcement conflict.
Third, the bill does not address the use of former military vehicles by municipal and state government. The DOT would be required to cancel vehicle registrations of military vehicles currently used by volunteer fire departments, the DNR, county highway and emergency government agencies.
Fourth, The DOT voices a concern that former military vehicles pose a higher risk to public safety. That claim is unsupported. There is currently no data to define the military vehicle highway safety record in Wisconsin. Hard data to support the safety record of former military vehicles operated in Wisconsin is imposable to demonstrate when former military vehicles remain mixed with automobiles under collector plate law in AB589.
Fifth, Military motorcycles are not addressed. AB589 excludes former military motorcycles from be registered.
We are also very concerned that the Senate version of the bill SB392 was extensively amended following the senate public hearing. The companion bill to AB589 as SB392 was changed to unfairly address one small owners group and was amended to specifically allow only the Pinzgauer truck of which there are less than 30 in the state. Other owners then began requesting amendments from there legislators to add their own military vehicle model to the bill.
We are very opposed to any amendment that may be considered to create a model specific list of “approved” vehicles. There are hundreds of different military models of many vintages. Naming specific vehicles is unworkable. Any list would be incomplete and would always exclude some previously unlisted or future vehicle model.
As you know, working with HMV owners, the legislature and the DOT to understand the concerns of all sides, a different bill, AB592 was created to address these issues and has already been voted on earlier this morning. That bill better meets the needs for historic preservation of former military vehicles.
The Pope Roberts bill, AB589 as submitted is incomplete and does not solve the multiple registration issues of Historic Military Vehicle owners in Wisconsin.
Thank You.
Jeff Rowsam
For the Military Vehicle Preservation Association
and Wisconsin Military Vehicle Collectors
Friday, January 22, 2010
Senate Public Hearing After Action Report (AAR)
Friday, January 22, 2010
SENATE HEARING AFTER ACTION REPORT (AAR)
Current status of the proposed Wisconsin legislation.
This past Wed, the public hearing was held before the Senate Transportation Committee at the state capitol in Madison. Public comment was heard on two bills SB 392 by Senator Erpenbach and SB 404, by Senator Hansen.
The Hansen bill 404 is the companion bill with assembly bill AB 592 (Dec 2009) that was developed with input from the Wisconsin MVPA membership and Historic Military Vehicle Owners clubs. The bill was drafted after collectors met with the DOT to determine the states concerns and objections to licensing HMV’s. The DOT primarily objects to the unrestricted use of the broad category of “former military vehicles” with includes large and small vehicles and wheeled armor.
The Hansen/Zigmunt bill would create a change in current state law that would create a definition and category for Historic Military Vehicles. The bill was drafted to overcome a potential state ban being enforced by current law thru the DOT and would allow owners of former military vehicles to use their vehicles as historic objects in parades, public displays, club and other organized events. And could be driven for maintenance (exercising the vehicle). The bill also eliminated the 20 year age requirement for former US built military vehicles which simplified the registration process and would allow titling and registration of vehicles purchased from the government without a “Date of Manufacture”. It also would create a new “Historic Military Vehicle” license plate for former military vehicles.
The Erpenbach bill 392 was developed on behalf of the smaller group of owners of Ex Swiss Pinzgauer trucks who had been targeted by the DOT since 2007. The Pinz owners advocate for unrestricted use as regular transportation. The bill seeks to create a change to the existing state collector vehicle license rules that would define former Military Vehicles as a special interest type and allow there unlimited use under the collector law. It would eliminate the current collector plate restriction to limit cargo to no more than 500 Lbs. The only restriction would be no use during the month of January as in the current collector law.
Both bill’s create a category for former military vehicles with some restriction. Both bill’s have bi-partisan support.
The hearing was attended by about 20 HMV owners. Four spoke, including myself, all in favor of both bill’s. Only the attorney for the DOT/DMV spoke against. And his testimony apposing the Erpenbach bill was so strong that the chairman and other senators on the committee formally apologized to the veterans and vehicle owners present. The chair also indicated his concern that the state DOT was acting like a playground bully over the issue.
The DOT testimony to the Hansen bill SB 404 was less harsh and they acknowledged the efforts of the HMV collectors to cooperate in addressing the safety concerns the state had raised.
In our testimony we asked for amendment to both bills. Eliminating the 25 year age requirement from the Erpenbach bill and changing the wording of the Hansen bill to allow in addition to parades and events, HMV owners to use there vehicles for “private recreational use”. They would still be prevented from using HMV’s as daily transportation.
Some of the Pinz owners suggested in testimony that a two tiered solution could be created to allow the smaller vehicles more use. Several numbers were stated, including vehicle weight limits of 10 or 15,000 Lbs. We are opposing this proposal because it would complicate the registration requirements and unfairly favors owners of smaller vehicles.
We are working with the senate and assembly committee members to remove the language from both bill’s requiring “military markings” and simply keeping a former military vehicle as manufactured as a special interest vehicle. This was an objection heard from collectors as too vague and an unneeded requirement.
In each case, legislation to allow some type of use of former military vehicles in Wisconsin, will likely move to a floor vote. This would have to come before the end of the legislative session this spring or the process starts all over in fall.
Several directions are now possible,
1) The two bills may be modified and amended based on public input from the hearings. Then merged into a single bill,
2) The committee could choose to allow one and block the other.
3) The committee could allow two bills to be sent to the floor for a vote.
Since there are similar bills in both the assembly and the senate, any differences would have to be reconciled for final approval before reaching the governors office. And the Governor can always veto any bill that reaches his desk.
All Military Vehicle owners need to continue to contact their Wisconsin state legislators and ask them to support one of the bills. This is fast moving (for legislation) and needs your action as soon as you can. Call them, write to them or e mail them but tell them which bill you want.
Thanks
Jeff Rowsam
SENATE HEARING AFTER ACTION REPORT (AAR)
Current status of the proposed Wisconsin legislation.
This past Wed, the public hearing was held before the Senate Transportation Committee at the state capitol in Madison. Public comment was heard on two bills SB 392 by Senator Erpenbach and SB 404, by Senator Hansen.
The Hansen bill 404 is the companion bill with assembly bill AB 592 (Dec 2009) that was developed with input from the Wisconsin MVPA membership and Historic Military Vehicle Owners clubs. The bill was drafted after collectors met with the DOT to determine the states concerns and objections to licensing HMV’s. The DOT primarily objects to the unrestricted use of the broad category of “former military vehicles” with includes large and small vehicles and wheeled armor.
The Hansen/Zigmunt bill would create a change in current state law that would create a definition and category for Historic Military Vehicles. The bill was drafted to overcome a potential state ban being enforced by current law thru the DOT and would allow owners of former military vehicles to use their vehicles as historic objects in parades, public displays, club and other organized events. And could be driven for maintenance (exercising the vehicle). The bill also eliminated the 20 year age requirement for former US built military vehicles which simplified the registration process and would allow titling and registration of vehicles purchased from the government without a “Date of Manufacture”. It also would create a new “Historic Military Vehicle” license plate for former military vehicles.
The Erpenbach bill 392 was developed on behalf of the smaller group of owners of Ex Swiss Pinzgauer trucks who had been targeted by the DOT since 2007. The Pinz owners advocate for unrestricted use as regular transportation. The bill seeks to create a change to the existing state collector vehicle license rules that would define former Military Vehicles as a special interest type and allow there unlimited use under the collector law. It would eliminate the current collector plate restriction to limit cargo to no more than 500 Lbs. The only restriction would be no use during the month of January as in the current collector law.
Both bill’s create a category for former military vehicles with some restriction. Both bill’s have bi-partisan support.
The hearing was attended by about 20 HMV owners. Four spoke, including myself, all in favor of both bill’s. Only the attorney for the DOT/DMV spoke against. And his testimony apposing the Erpenbach bill was so strong that the chairman and other senators on the committee formally apologized to the veterans and vehicle owners present. The chair also indicated his concern that the state DOT was acting like a playground bully over the issue.
The DOT testimony to the Hansen bill SB 404 was less harsh and they acknowledged the efforts of the HMV collectors to cooperate in addressing the safety concerns the state had raised.
In our testimony we asked for amendment to both bills. Eliminating the 25 year age requirement from the Erpenbach bill and changing the wording of the Hansen bill to allow in addition to parades and events, HMV owners to use there vehicles for “private recreational use”. They would still be prevented from using HMV’s as daily transportation.
Some of the Pinz owners suggested in testimony that a two tiered solution could be created to allow the smaller vehicles more use. Several numbers were stated, including vehicle weight limits of 10 or 15,000 Lbs. We are opposing this proposal because it would complicate the registration requirements and unfairly favors owners of smaller vehicles.
We are working with the senate and assembly committee members to remove the language from both bill’s requiring “military markings” and simply keeping a former military vehicle as manufactured as a special interest vehicle. This was an objection heard from collectors as too vague and an unneeded requirement.
In each case, legislation to allow some type of use of former military vehicles in Wisconsin, will likely move to a floor vote. This would have to come before the end of the legislative session this spring or the process starts all over in fall.
Several directions are now possible,
1) The two bills may be modified and amended based on public input from the hearings. Then merged into a single bill,
2) The committee could choose to allow one and block the other.
3) The committee could allow two bills to be sent to the floor for a vote.
Since there are similar bills in both the assembly and the senate, any differences would have to be reconciled for final approval before reaching the governors office. And the Governor can always veto any bill that reaches his desk.
All Military Vehicle owners need to continue to contact their Wisconsin state legislators and ask them to support one of the bills. This is fast moving (for legislation) and needs your action as soon as you can. Call them, write to them or e mail them but tell them which bill you want.
Thanks
Jeff Rowsam
Jan 20 MVPA and HMV Owners Testimony For Bill SB 404
Testimony – Senate Committee Hearing Jan 20, 2010
Jeff Rowsam
Spokesperson representing
Military Vehicle Preservation Association and
Wisconsin Historic Military Vehicle owners
Historic Military Vehicle Collectors wish to submit testimony in favor of registration of former military vehicles:
1) Prefer to support SB 392 with amendment.
2) Will support SB 404 with amendment.
Good Morning,
My name is Jeff Rowsam
I live at 5432 South County Hwy P, Town of New Denmark in Brown County, Wisconsin
I’m speaking today as a historic military vehicle owner and as spokes person on behalf of the individual members of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association (MVPA) and the Historic Military Vehicle owners groups in Wisconsin.
Our members include The Midwest Military Vehicle Association (MMVA) from Southern WI, MV collectors of the Fox Valley and North East Wisconsin, the Antigo Area MV owners, The Chippewa Valley Military Preservation Association, LLC (CVMPA) and the Red Arrow Chapter of the MVPA from Northwestern Wisconsin. These groups represent some 600 owners statewide with over 1500 Historic Military Vehicles (HMV’s). The MVPA represents nearly 10,000 members in North America.
Former military vehicles are known for their heavy duty construction and have been sold as surplus equipment by the US and other governments since the 1920’s. Weekly sales continue today. Individuals, municipalities, the DNR, county highway departments, farmers, loggers and utility contractors have a long history of safely and successfully operating former military vehicles in commercial and private on-highway service.
Over the past 20 years, as popularity of WWII history re-emerged, interest by individual preservationists to own and restore these vehicles has evolved and reached the point were it is now a well developed “old car hobby”. The purchase and restoration of these vehicles for historic preservation, public displays, car shows and recreational driving is very active throughout the U.S., Canada, South America, Europe and Australia.
Restored Jeeps and other all wheel drive trucks have been regularly driven to public events such as parades on patriotic holidays, club activities, events honoring our military veterans, and historic displays for schools and the general public. As collector vehicles, our owners also display their vehicles at car shows and enjoy occasional local drives as a form of recreation.
While fewer and fewer former military vehicles are operated in daily commercial service, Historic Military Vehicles (HMV’s) from WWII and Korea, Vietnam and the Cold War and from Operation Desert Storm now have special interest and increasingly are being purchased and restored to their original historic configuration.
In 2007, owners and collectors in Wisconsin saw an increasing number of applications for titles and registration of HMV’s being rejected by the Wisconsin DMV and the DOT. The DMV has been inconsistent. Some registration applications were approved. Others were not. The rejection of applications for models that had been licensed and operated for many years previously has left vehicle owners confused and frustrated.
The Department of Transportation states they are receiving an increasing volume of applications for registration of many different unique vehicles, both foreign and domestic, with a wide variety of ages and designs and they include former military vehicles in that list. They sight a raised concern about what is suitable for safe operation on Wisconsin highways.
The on-highway use of wheeled military vehicles is well known. The historic military vehicles we seek to preserve have the same equipment needed to meet the requirements of Wisconsin Admin Rule Trans 305 which specifies the minimum equipment for any motor vehicle in order to be registered in Wisconsin.
We know of no fatalities in Wisconsin involving privately owned HMV’s. There is no data to indicate increased rates of civilian collisions or injuries involving HMV’s in Wisconsin and there is no public protest demanding that Historic Military Vehicles be prohibited. The DOT’s concern that these vehicles pose a higher risk to public safety than other civilian vehicles is unsupported.
As collectors we place a high value on our historic vehicles, often spend many months and large sums to complete a restoration. They operate with greater caution over limited miles to preserve their value. Most collector owned HMV’s operate less than 300 miles per year.
A solution that would allow the continued use of HMV’s in Wisconsin is needed. Beginning in 2007, HMV owners give input and listened to legislative contacts and conducted an extensive dialog with DOT administrators to gain understanding of all sides of the issue. This resulted in the creation of SB 404. And its companion bill AB 592.
SB 404 addresses the specific objections of the DOT and creates a bill that would not be opposed by most HMV collectors. The restrictive wording for limiting HMV use to public events and parades and for maintenance is an excessive restriction that is opposed by our membership. Like SB 392, the SB 404 bill would create a needed definition for the preservation of Historic Military Vehicles and would solve registration issues for preservationist owners and resolve many confusing title and registration issues for DMV officials.
SB 404 overcomes the DOT’s concern that under collector rules, HMV owners would have unlimited daily vehicle use. Daily use is allowed under collector vehicle registrations. SB 404 creates a new, distinct and separate HMV category with a distinctive plate that could allow continued use of former military vehicles in a historic role and satisfy the DOT’s concern for public safety by restricting use to a profile similar to antique vehicle registrations. That is, to limit use of their HMV’s to a few hundred miles per year.
SB 404 addresses the needs of Historic Preservation and the DOT concern for public safety by:
1) Simplifying registration for vehicle owners and the DMV by providing a single MV
category.
2) It allows HMV’s to be operated with limitations.
The current wording to allow driving for “necessary testing and maintenance” does not meet the collector expectation for occasional short local recreational drives. We recommend that the restriction be amended to a less restrictive profile that allows some type of recreational use.
3) Eliminates the previous requirement for U.S. MV’s to be specified age or vintage.
a. The US military does not recognize model year. Many vehicles are sold by the US government with an incorrect year or notation “date of manufacture unknown” on the documents.
b. It retains the 25 year age requirement for imported former military vehicles which is in line with federal regulations that exempt imported vehicles from NHTSA safety rules for imported vehicles more than 25 years old. A DOT issue.
4) Under current DOT policy, all MV’s are prohibited, Including commercial and governmental use. SB 404 creates a provision to allow municipal users to own
and operate former MV’s in special applications such as rural fire fighting and
emergency government, but limits the public exposure by limiting operation to their local areas and low mile use applications.
5) The distinctive license plate allows law enforcement to distinguish privately owned
HMV’s from the active service military fleet.
6) Establishes a single HMV data base to track the future safety record of HMV’s
separate from the general collector car category.
Both SB 392 and SB 404 provide for the continued use of HMV’s and both have some restrictions.
The provisions of SB 392 would be easier to implement, would not require the cancelation and transfer of existing registrations and meets the operating profile of collector vehicle owners.
SB 392 would be the preferred legislation with less restrictions for owners.
SB 404 is acceptable legislation but is more restrictive to vehicle owners.
On behalf of the many owners of Historic Military Vehicles through out Wisconsin, we respectfully submit that both SB 392 and SB 404 be given consideration.
Thank You. For the
Respectfully, Military Vehicle Preservation Association and Wisconsin Military Vehicle Collectors
Jeff Rowsam
Spokesperson representing
Military Vehicle Preservation Association and
Wisconsin Historic Military Vehicle owners
Historic Military Vehicle Collectors wish to submit testimony in favor of registration of former military vehicles:
1) Prefer to support SB 392 with amendment.
2) Will support SB 404 with amendment.
Good Morning,
My name is Jeff Rowsam
I live at 5432 South County Hwy P, Town of New Denmark in Brown County, Wisconsin
I’m speaking today as a historic military vehicle owner and as spokes person on behalf of the individual members of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association (MVPA) and the Historic Military Vehicle owners groups in Wisconsin.
Our members include The Midwest Military Vehicle Association (MMVA) from Southern WI, MV collectors of the Fox Valley and North East Wisconsin, the Antigo Area MV owners, The Chippewa Valley Military Preservation Association, LLC (CVMPA) and the Red Arrow Chapter of the MVPA from Northwestern Wisconsin. These groups represent some 600 owners statewide with over 1500 Historic Military Vehicles (HMV’s). The MVPA represents nearly 10,000 members in North America.
Former military vehicles are known for their heavy duty construction and have been sold as surplus equipment by the US and other governments since the 1920’s. Weekly sales continue today. Individuals, municipalities, the DNR, county highway departments, farmers, loggers and utility contractors have a long history of safely and successfully operating former military vehicles in commercial and private on-highway service.
Over the past 20 years, as popularity of WWII history re-emerged, interest by individual preservationists to own and restore these vehicles has evolved and reached the point were it is now a well developed “old car hobby”. The purchase and restoration of these vehicles for historic preservation, public displays, car shows and recreational driving is very active throughout the U.S., Canada, South America, Europe and Australia.
Restored Jeeps and other all wheel drive trucks have been regularly driven to public events such as parades on patriotic holidays, club activities, events honoring our military veterans, and historic displays for schools and the general public. As collector vehicles, our owners also display their vehicles at car shows and enjoy occasional local drives as a form of recreation.
While fewer and fewer former military vehicles are operated in daily commercial service, Historic Military Vehicles (HMV’s) from WWII and Korea, Vietnam and the Cold War and from Operation Desert Storm now have special interest and increasingly are being purchased and restored to their original historic configuration.
In 2007, owners and collectors in Wisconsin saw an increasing number of applications for titles and registration of HMV’s being rejected by the Wisconsin DMV and the DOT. The DMV has been inconsistent. Some registration applications were approved. Others were not. The rejection of applications for models that had been licensed and operated for many years previously has left vehicle owners confused and frustrated.
The Department of Transportation states they are receiving an increasing volume of applications for registration of many different unique vehicles, both foreign and domestic, with a wide variety of ages and designs and they include former military vehicles in that list. They sight a raised concern about what is suitable for safe operation on Wisconsin highways.
The on-highway use of wheeled military vehicles is well known. The historic military vehicles we seek to preserve have the same equipment needed to meet the requirements of Wisconsin Admin Rule Trans 305 which specifies the minimum equipment for any motor vehicle in order to be registered in Wisconsin.
We know of no fatalities in Wisconsin involving privately owned HMV’s. There is no data to indicate increased rates of civilian collisions or injuries involving HMV’s in Wisconsin and there is no public protest demanding that Historic Military Vehicles be prohibited. The DOT’s concern that these vehicles pose a higher risk to public safety than other civilian vehicles is unsupported.
As collectors we place a high value on our historic vehicles, often spend many months and large sums to complete a restoration. They operate with greater caution over limited miles to preserve their value. Most collector owned HMV’s operate less than 300 miles per year.
A solution that would allow the continued use of HMV’s in Wisconsin is needed. Beginning in 2007, HMV owners give input and listened to legislative contacts and conducted an extensive dialog with DOT administrators to gain understanding of all sides of the issue. This resulted in the creation of SB 404. And its companion bill AB 592.
SB 404 addresses the specific objections of the DOT and creates a bill that would not be opposed by most HMV collectors. The restrictive wording for limiting HMV use to public events and parades and for maintenance is an excessive restriction that is opposed by our membership. Like SB 392, the SB 404 bill would create a needed definition for the preservation of Historic Military Vehicles and would solve registration issues for preservationist owners and resolve many confusing title and registration issues for DMV officials.
SB 404 overcomes the DOT’s concern that under collector rules, HMV owners would have unlimited daily vehicle use. Daily use is allowed under collector vehicle registrations. SB 404 creates a new, distinct and separate HMV category with a distinctive plate that could allow continued use of former military vehicles in a historic role and satisfy the DOT’s concern for public safety by restricting use to a profile similar to antique vehicle registrations. That is, to limit use of their HMV’s to a few hundred miles per year.
SB 404 addresses the needs of Historic Preservation and the DOT concern for public safety by:
1) Simplifying registration for vehicle owners and the DMV by providing a single MV
category.
2) It allows HMV’s to be operated with limitations.
The current wording to allow driving for “necessary testing and maintenance” does not meet the collector expectation for occasional short local recreational drives. We recommend that the restriction be amended to a less restrictive profile that allows some type of recreational use.
3) Eliminates the previous requirement for U.S. MV’s to be specified age or vintage.
a. The US military does not recognize model year. Many vehicles are sold by the US government with an incorrect year or notation “date of manufacture unknown” on the documents.
b. It retains the 25 year age requirement for imported former military vehicles which is in line with federal regulations that exempt imported vehicles from NHTSA safety rules for imported vehicles more than 25 years old. A DOT issue.
4) Under current DOT policy, all MV’s are prohibited, Including commercial and governmental use. SB 404 creates a provision to allow municipal users to own
and operate former MV’s in special applications such as rural fire fighting and
emergency government, but limits the public exposure by limiting operation to their local areas and low mile use applications.
5) The distinctive license plate allows law enforcement to distinguish privately owned
HMV’s from the active service military fleet.
6) Establishes a single HMV data base to track the future safety record of HMV’s
separate from the general collector car category.
Both SB 392 and SB 404 provide for the continued use of HMV’s and both have some restrictions.
The provisions of SB 392 would be easier to implement, would not require the cancelation and transfer of existing registrations and meets the operating profile of collector vehicle owners.
SB 392 would be the preferred legislation with less restrictions for owners.
SB 404 is acceptable legislation but is more restrictive to vehicle owners.
On behalf of the many owners of Historic Military Vehicles through out Wisconsin, we respectfully submit that both SB 392 and SB 404 be given consideration.
Thank You. For the
Respectfully, Military Vehicle Preservation Association and Wisconsin Military Vehicle Collectors
Jan 20 MVPA and HMV Owners Testimony For Bill 392
Testimony – Senate Committee Hearing Jan 20, 2010
Jeff Rowsam
Spokesperson representing
Military Vehicle Preservation Association and
Wisconsin Historic Military Vehicle owners
Historic Military Vehicle Collectors wish to submit testimony in support of SB 392.
Good Morning,
My name is Jeff Rowsam
I live at 5432 South County Hwy P, Town of New Denmark in Brown County, Wisconsin
I’m speaking today as a historic military vehicle owner and as spokes person on behalf of the individual members of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association (MVPA) and the Historic Military Vehicle owners groups in Wisconsin.
Our members include The Midwest Military Vehicle Association (MMVA) from Southern WI, MV collectors of the Fox Valley and North East Wisconsin, the Antigo Area MV owners, The Chippewa Valley Military Preservation Association, LLC (CVMPA) and the Red Arrow Chapter of the MVPA from Northwestern Wisconsin. These groups represent some 600 owners statewide with over 1500 Historic Military Vehicles (HMV’s).
Former military vehicles are known for their heavy duty construction and have been sold here as surplus equipment by the US and other governments since the 1920’s. Weekly sales continue today. Individuals, municipalities, the DNR, county highway departments, farmers, loggers and utility contractors have a long history of safely and successfully operating former military vehicles in commercial and private on-highway service.
Over the past 20 years, as interest in WWII history re-emerged, interest by individual preservationists to own and restore these vehicles has evolved and reached the point were it is now a well developed “old car hobby”. The purchase and restoration of these vehicles for historic preservation, public displays, car shows and recreational driving is very active throughout the U.S., Canada, South America, Europe and in Australia.
Restored Jeeps and other all wheel drive trucks have been regularly driven to public events such as parades on patriotic holidays, club activities, events honoring our military veterans, and historic displays for schools and the general public. As collector vehicles, our owners also display their vehicles at car shows and enjoy occasional local drives as a form of recreation.
While fewer and fewer former military vehicles are operated in daily commercial service, vintage HMV’s from WWII and Korea, Vietnam and the Cold War and from Operation Desert Storm now have special interest and increasingly are being purchased and restored to their original historic configuration.
In 2007, owners and collectors in Wisconsin saw an increasing number of applications for titles and registration of HMV’s being rejected by the Wisconsin DMV and the DOT. The DMV has been inconsistent. Some registration applications were approved. Others were not. The rejection of applications for models that had been licensed and operated for many years previously has left vehicle owners confused and frustrated by the change.
The Department of Transportation states they are receiving an increasing volume of applications for registration of many different unique vehicles, both foreign and domestic, with a wide variety of ages and designs and they include former military vehicles in that list . They sight a raised concern about what is suitable for safe operation on Wisconsin highways.
The on-highway use of wheeled military vehicles is well known. The historic military vehicles we seek to preserve have the same equipment needed to meet the requirements of Wisconsin Admin Rule Trans 305 which specifies the minimum equipment for any motor vehicle in order to be registered in Wisconsin.
We know of no fatalities in Wisconsin involving privately owned HMV’s. There is no data to indicate increased rates of civilian collisions or injuries involving HMV’s in Wisconsin and there is no public protest demanding that Historic Military Vehicles be prohibited.
The DOT’s concern that these vehicles pose a higher risk to public safety than other civilian vehicles is unsupported.
Collectors place a high value on their historic vehicles, often spend many months and large sums to complete a restoration. They operate with greater caution over limited miles to preserve their high value historic vehicle. Most HMV’s operate less than 300 miles annually.
SB 392 would create the needed special interest vehicle definition that will continue the registration of Historic Military Vehicles.
Our owners raise one reservation, The bill requirement that a former military vehicle must be 25 years old to qualify for registration. The US military does not designate vehicles by model year. Former military vehicles recently sold by the US government sometimes carry no documented year of manufacture or are sold with a late model rebuilt date that does not reflect the true vintage. Amending SB392 to eliminate a specific age requirement for US manufactured former military vehicles would simplify the registration issue.
In the past, establishing an accurate “Year of Manufacture” has been a confusing and often frustrating, sometimes confrontational issue between vehicle owners and the DMV. Unlike commercially manufactured trucks and autos, collector registration would be the only option for HMV’s in Wisconsin, and the need to defer to a 25 year age requirement is not necessary in this situation.
Under the bill, existing registrations will not require re-registration, cancelation or re-application.
The vehicles are an important part of our nation’s proud military history and should qualify for preservation.
On behalf of the many owners of Historic Military Vehicles through out Wisconsin, we respectfully submit that of the two registration bills under consideration today, SB 392 with a vehicle age amendment is the preferred legislation.
Thank You. For the
Respectfully, Military Vehicle Preservation Association and Wisconsin Military Vehicle Collectors
Jeff Rowsam
Spokesperson representing
Military Vehicle Preservation Association and
Wisconsin Historic Military Vehicle owners
Historic Military Vehicle Collectors wish to submit testimony in support of SB 392.
Good Morning,
My name is Jeff Rowsam
I live at 5432 South County Hwy P, Town of New Denmark in Brown County, Wisconsin
I’m speaking today as a historic military vehicle owner and as spokes person on behalf of the individual members of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association (MVPA) and the Historic Military Vehicle owners groups in Wisconsin.
Our members include The Midwest Military Vehicle Association (MMVA) from Southern WI, MV collectors of the Fox Valley and North East Wisconsin, the Antigo Area MV owners, The Chippewa Valley Military Preservation Association, LLC (CVMPA) and the Red Arrow Chapter of the MVPA from Northwestern Wisconsin. These groups represent some 600 owners statewide with over 1500 Historic Military Vehicles (HMV’s).
Former military vehicles are known for their heavy duty construction and have been sold here as surplus equipment by the US and other governments since the 1920’s. Weekly sales continue today. Individuals, municipalities, the DNR, county highway departments, farmers, loggers and utility contractors have a long history of safely and successfully operating former military vehicles in commercial and private on-highway service.
Over the past 20 years, as interest in WWII history re-emerged, interest by individual preservationists to own and restore these vehicles has evolved and reached the point were it is now a well developed “old car hobby”. The purchase and restoration of these vehicles for historic preservation, public displays, car shows and recreational driving is very active throughout the U.S., Canada, South America, Europe and in Australia.
Restored Jeeps and other all wheel drive trucks have been regularly driven to public events such as parades on patriotic holidays, club activities, events honoring our military veterans, and historic displays for schools and the general public. As collector vehicles, our owners also display their vehicles at car shows and enjoy occasional local drives as a form of recreation.
While fewer and fewer former military vehicles are operated in daily commercial service, vintage HMV’s from WWII and Korea, Vietnam and the Cold War and from Operation Desert Storm now have special interest and increasingly are being purchased and restored to their original historic configuration.
In 2007, owners and collectors in Wisconsin saw an increasing number of applications for titles and registration of HMV’s being rejected by the Wisconsin DMV and the DOT. The DMV has been inconsistent. Some registration applications were approved. Others were not. The rejection of applications for models that had been licensed and operated for many years previously has left vehicle owners confused and frustrated by the change.
The Department of Transportation states they are receiving an increasing volume of applications for registration of many different unique vehicles, both foreign and domestic, with a wide variety of ages and designs and they include former military vehicles in that list . They sight a raised concern about what is suitable for safe operation on Wisconsin highways.
The on-highway use of wheeled military vehicles is well known. The historic military vehicles we seek to preserve have the same equipment needed to meet the requirements of Wisconsin Admin Rule Trans 305 which specifies the minimum equipment for any motor vehicle in order to be registered in Wisconsin.
We know of no fatalities in Wisconsin involving privately owned HMV’s. There is no data to indicate increased rates of civilian collisions or injuries involving HMV’s in Wisconsin and there is no public protest demanding that Historic Military Vehicles be prohibited.
The DOT’s concern that these vehicles pose a higher risk to public safety than other civilian vehicles is unsupported.
Collectors place a high value on their historic vehicles, often spend many months and large sums to complete a restoration. They operate with greater caution over limited miles to preserve their high value historic vehicle. Most HMV’s operate less than 300 miles annually.
SB 392 would create the needed special interest vehicle definition that will continue the registration of Historic Military Vehicles.
Our owners raise one reservation, The bill requirement that a former military vehicle must be 25 years old to qualify for registration. The US military does not designate vehicles by model year. Former military vehicles recently sold by the US government sometimes carry no documented year of manufacture or are sold with a late model rebuilt date that does not reflect the true vintage. Amending SB392 to eliminate a specific age requirement for US manufactured former military vehicles would simplify the registration issue.
In the past, establishing an accurate “Year of Manufacture” has been a confusing and often frustrating, sometimes confrontational issue between vehicle owners and the DMV. Unlike commercially manufactured trucks and autos, collector registration would be the only option for HMV’s in Wisconsin, and the need to defer to a 25 year age requirement is not necessary in this situation.
Under the bill, existing registrations will not require re-registration, cancelation or re-application.
The vehicles are an important part of our nation’s proud military history and should qualify for preservation.
On behalf of the many owners of Historic Military Vehicles through out Wisconsin, we respectfully submit that of the two registration bills under consideration today, SB 392 with a vehicle age amendment is the preferred legislation.
Thank You. For the
Respectfully, Military Vehicle Preservation Association and Wisconsin Military Vehicle Collectors
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