William Penterman, Wisconsin State Representative for 37th District | Official website
William Penterman, Wisconsin State Representative for 37th District | Official website
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "impoundment of vehicles used in certain traffic offenses".
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, the bill establishes the impoundment of vehicles involved in specific traffic offenses in Wisconsin. It allows law enforcement to immediately impound vehicles for up to 90 days for offenses such as driving without a license, speeding more than 25 mph over the limit, fleeing an officer, or racing on highways. Municipalities can set shorter impoundment terms for infractions under their jurisdiction. Vehicle owners can request release if the vehicle was not operated with their consent. If a vehicle is improperly impounded or the owner seeks immediate possession, they may petition the court for release. If found guilty, individuals are responsible for impoundment costs. Unclaimed vehicles post-impoundment may be disposed of as abandoned. The act takes effect for violations committed on the enactment date.
The bill was co-authored by Senator André Jacque (Republican-1st District), Representative Daniel Knodl (Republican-24th District), Representative David Murphy (Republican-56th District), Representative Jerry L. O'Connor (Republican-60th District), and Representative Jim Piwowarczyk (Republican-98th District). It was co-sponsored by Senator Cory Tomczyk (Republican-29th District) and Senator Van H. Wanggaard (Republican-21st District).
William Penterman has co-authored or authored another seven bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.
Penterman graduated from Ripon College in 2018 with a BA.
Penterman, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2025 to represent the state's 38th Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Barbara Dittrich.
In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| AB29 | 02/17/2025 | Impoundment of vehicles used in certain traffic offenses |
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