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: "the right to repair motor vehicles and providing a penalty. (FE)".
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill establishes a right to repair for motor vehicle owners in Wisconsin by prohibiting motor vehicle manufacturers from using barriers that restrict owners and repair facilities from accessing necessary repair data, tools, or choosing independent service providers. It mandates that manufacturers provide access to vehicle-generated data and critical repair information without unnecessary restrictions, fees, or the need for proprietary equipment. Manufacturers are also barred from mandating specific brands or manufacturers of parts or tools in their repair guidelines, except for recalls or warranties, and must issue a notice allowing for consumer choice. Any agreements that attempt to waive these rights are declared void. Manufacturers violating these provisions face a penalty of up to $10,000 per violation. The bill becomes effective on the date of its enactment.
The bill was co-authored by Senator André Jacque (Republican-1st District), Representative Lindee Rae Brill (Republican-27th District), Representative Robert Brooks (Republican-59th District), Representative Barbara Dittrich (Republican-99th District), Representative Joy L. Goeben (Republican-5th District). It was co-sponsored by Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara (Republican-19th District) and Senator Brad Pfaff (Democrat-32nd District), along 12 other co-sponsors.
William Penterman has co-authored or authored another 35 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 |
|---|---|---|
| AB135 | 03/13/2025 | The right to repair motor vehicles and providing a penalty. (FE) |
| AB119 | 03/11/2025 | Transfer of nursing home beds |
| AB89 | 02/28/2025 | Theft crimes and providing a penalty. (FE) |
| AB84 | 02/28/2025 | Prostitution crime surcharge and making an appropriation. (FE) |
| AB32 | 02/17/2025 | Access to public high schools for military recruiters |
| AB30 | 02/17/2025 | Prohibiting a foreign adversary from acquiring agricultural or forestry land in this state |
| AB29 | 02/17/2025 | Impoundment of vehicles used in certain traffic offenses |
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