Cory Tomczyk Wisconsin State Senator (District 29) | https://www.facebook.com
Cory Tomczyk Wisconsin State Senator (District 29) | https://www.facebook.com
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "school bus back-up lamps".
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill amends the statutes to allow school buses to be equipped with supplementary back-up lamps. Specifically, it permits one back-up lamp to be mounted on each side of a school bus, projecting a white or amber light to illuminate the rear wheels of the vehicle when backing. This is in addition to the existing regulation that allows motor vehicles, including school buses, to have up to two back-up lamps projecting light to the rear for a maximum distance of 75 feet. The aim is likely to enhance safety by providing additional visibility while school buses are reversing. The bill's provisions will be effective upon enactment.
The bill was co-authored by Representative Ron Tusler (Republican-3rd District) Senator Mark Spreitzer (Democrat-15th District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Barbara Dittrich (Republican-99th District), Representative Joy L. Goeben (Republican-5th District), and Representative Rick Gundrum (Republican-58th District), along five other co-sponsors.
Cory Tomczyk has authored or co-authored another 62 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.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| SB136 | 03/14/2025 | School bus back-up lamps |
| SB134 | 03/14/2025 | Alternative open enrollment application procedures for residency change based on military orders |
| SB126 | 03/14/2025 | The effective date of certain provisions contained in 2023 Wisconsin Act 126 |
| SB120 | 03/07/2025 | School board policies related to changing a pupil’s legal name and pronouns |
| SB114 | 03/07/2025 | Sales and use tax exemption for diapers and feminine hygiene products. (FE) |
| SB105 | 03/07/2025 | Jailers and protective occupation annuitants in the Wisconsin Retirement System who are rehired by a participating employer. (FE) |
| SB97 | 03/07/2025 | Parental notification of alleged sexual misconduct by a school staff member. (FE) |
| SB82 | 02/26/2025 | Governmental restrictions based on the energy source of a motor vehicle or other device |
| SB79 | 02/26/2025 | A disclaimer of parental rights and payments allowed in connection with an adoption |
| SB65 | 02/21/2025 | Impoundment of vehicles used in certain reckless driving offenses. (FE) |
| SB59 | 02/21/2025 | Tuition and fee remission for certain veterans and their dependents enrolled in the University of Wisconsin System or a technical college. (FE) |
| SB56 | 02/21/2025 | The use of federal capitalization grant funds for lead service line replacement. (FE) |
| SB53 | 02/21/2025 | Requiring the display of the national motto in public schools and on public buildings. (FE) |
| SB40 | 02/12/2025 | Flags flown, hung, or displayed from a flagpole or the exterior of state and local buildings and eliminating a related administrative rule |
| SB33 | 02/12/2025 | Representations depicting nudity and providing a penalty |
| SB32 | 02/12/2025 | Requiring 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) |
| SB27 | 02/07/2025 | Requiring state employees to perform their work at the offices of their employer. (FE) |
| SB22 | 02/05/2025 | Requiring school boards to make textbooks, curricula, and instructional materials available for inspection by school district residents |
| SB17 | 02/05/2025 | Special circumstances battery to a community service officer and providing a penalty |
| SB16 | 02/05/2025 | Participation in interscholastic athletics and application of the public records and open meetings laws to interscholastic athletic associations |
| SB9 | 01/24/2025 | Special registration plates with white lettering on a black background. (FE) |
| SB8 | 01/24/2025 | Repair and replacement of implements of husbandry under warranty |
| SB3 | 01/24/2025 | Requiring local approval for certain wind and solar projects before Public Service Commission approval |
| SB2 | 01/24/2025 | Expanding veterans benefits to individuals who served in Laos in support of the United States during the Vietnam War |
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