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Thursday, September 11, 2025

Sen. Tomczyk authors bill in Wisconsin Senate to ban energy-based vehicle restrictions

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Cory Tomczyk Wisconsin State Senator (District 29) | https://www.facebook.com

Cory Tomczyk Wisconsin State Senator (District 29) | https://www.facebook.com

The new bill authored by State Sen. Cory Tomczyk seeks to prohibit government restrictions on the use or sale of vehicles and devices based on their energy source, according to the Wisconsin State Senate.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "governmental restrictions based on the energy source of a motor vehicle or other device".

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill prohibits state agencies and local governmental units in Wisconsin from enforcing any restrictions on the use or sale of motor vehicles or other devices based on their energy source. This applies to vehicles used for transportation or other functions and to any other devices powered by a particular energy source. However, the bill explicitly states that it does not impact policies concerning the purchase of motor vehicles for state agency or local government use. The measure seeks to eliminate any government-imposed limitations centered on the type of energy—such as gasoline, electricity, or other fuels—powering a vehicle or device, with an effective date yet to be specified.

The bill was co-authored by Representative Duke Tucker (Republican-75th District), Senator Julian Bradley (Republican-28th District), Senator Dan Feyen (Republican-20th District), Senator Steve L. Nass (Republican-11th District), Senator Romaine Robert Quinn (Republican-25th District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), Representative Lindee Rae Brill (Republican-27th District), and Representative Calvin T. Callahan (Republican-35th District), along 19 other co-sponsors.

Cory Tomczyk has authored or co-authored another 38 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.

Tomczyk, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2023 to represent the state's 29th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Jerry Petrowski.

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.

Bills Introduced by Cory Tomczyk in Wisconsin Senate During 2025 Regular Session

Bill NumberDate IntroducedShort Description
SB8202/26/2025Governmental restrictions based on the energy source of a motor vehicle or other device
SB7902/26/2025A disclaimer of parental rights and payments allowed in connection with an adoption
SB6502/21/2025Impoundment of vehicles used in certain reckless driving offenses. (FE)
SB5902/21/2025Tuition and fee remission for certain veterans and their dependents enrolled in the University of Wisconsin System or a technical college. (FE)
SB5602/21/2025The use of federal capitalization grant funds for lead service line replacement. (FE)
SB5302/21/2025Requiring the display of the national motto in public schools and on public buildings. (FE)
SB4002/12/2025Flags flown, hung, or displayed from a flagpole or the exterior of state and local buildings and eliminating a related administrative rule
SB3302/12/2025Representations depicting nudity and providing a penalty
SB3202/12/2025Requiring a school board to spend at least 70 percent of its operating expenditures on direct classroom expenditures and annual pay increases for school administrators. (FE)
SB2702/07/2025Requiring state employees to perform their work at the offices of their employer. (FE)
SB2202/05/2025Requiring school boards to make textbooks, curricula, and instructional materials available for inspection by school district residents
SB1702/05/2025Special circumstances battery to a community service officer and providing a penalty
SB1602/05/2025Participation in interscholastic athletics and application of the public records and open meetings laws to interscholastic athletic associations
SB901/24/2025Special registration plates with white lettering on a black background. (FE)
SB801/24/2025Repair and replacement of implements of husbandry under warranty
SB301/24/2025Requiring local approval for certain wind and solar projects before Public Service Commission approval
SB201/24/2025Expanding veterans benefits to individuals who served in Laos in support of the United States during the Vietnam War

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