Wisconsin-Pinzgauers.org

Dec. 8, 2009: There are currently two proposed bills before the Wisconsin Legislature which concern the registration of ex-Military vehicles.

One of these was introduced by Sen. Jon Erpenbach, in direct response to the problems Pinzgauer owners have experienced with the Wisconsin DOT *. The bill would allow ex-military vehicles to be licensed as Collector vehicles. This means a one-time registration fee, but would not allow operation during the month of January.
Here is a copy: http://www.wisconsin-pinzgauers.org/sites/default/files/Pinzgauer%20Bill...

Wisconsin Pinzgauers supports the proposal introduced by Sen. Erpenbach, and encourages you to support it as well. To do this, contact your state Senator and Assembly Rep. and tell them that you suppport Senate Bill 392 and Assembly Bill 589. Find out who your representatives are here: http://www.legis.wisconsin.gov/w3asp/waml/waml.aspx

There is a second proposed bill which was introduced by Rep. Ted Zigmunt, which would require all ex-military vehicles to be licensed as Historic Military Vehicles. This bill also would mean a one-time registration fee, but would only allow the vehicle to be operated for parades and maintenance. No payload or commercial use would be allowed.
Here is a copy: http://www.wisconsin-pinzgauers.org/sites/default/files/nilsen%20pinz%20...

Wisconsin Pinzgauers believes that any ex-military vehicle should be able to be registered as a Collector vehicle, for a one-time registration fee. But this should be an option, as it is for other vehicles, which also includes Auto, Truck, or Farm plates as would be appropriate to the owner's use. While we respect and support the desires of some ex-military collectors to operate their vehicles for parade use, many owners simply needed a truck to haul things.

Wisconsin Pinzgauers does not support Rep. Zigmunt's proposal, because it does not address the needs of owners who want to license and operate their ex-military vehicles for regular use. The proposed operating restrictions are too broad and the registration requirments are too vague. We urge you to oppose passage of Senate Bill 404 and Assembly Bill 592. Use the link above to find your representatives.

* The first Pinzgauer arrived in Wisconsin in 2000. But WisDOT/DMV rescinded title/license plates for all Steyr-Puch Pinzgauers in Sept. 2007. Following a successful court appeal, this cancellation was overturned, leading to the re-titling and re-registration of the Pinzgauers in Sept., 2008. DMV even issued registrations for several Pinzgauers newly arrived in the state, some fresh from Switzerland. The fight seemed over...

However, in June, 2009, WisDOT again began to refuse title/license to Pinzgauers. These actions prompted Senator Erpenbach to introduce the bill to allow the Pinzgauers and all ex-military vehicles to be registered for legal operation in Wisconsin.