The new bill authored by State Sen. Chris Larson aims to make bikeways and pedestrian ways compulsory in all state and federally funded highway projects, with specific exceptions, according to the Wisconsin State Senate.
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature’s official website, the bill was described as follows: “requiring bicycle and pedestrian facilities in highway projects and granting rule-making authority. (FE)”.
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill mandates the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish bikeways and pedestrian ways in all new highway construction and reconstruction projects funded by state or federal funds, with certain exceptions. Previously, DOT was only required to consider such infrastructure, but this bill makes it compulsory unless specific criteria justify an exception. Exceptions include prohibitive costs exceeding 20% of the project cost, excessive negative impacts in constrained environments, lack of need reflected by sparse population or traffic, or if a community refuses to maintain pedestrian ways. DOT must develop rules detailing these exceptions, ensuring that a knowledgeable authority within the department reviews each case. The bill repeals previous provisions that limited bikeway and pedestrian way establishment based on municipal authorizations.
The bill was co-authored by Representative Lee Snodgrass (Democrat-52nd District), Senator Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (Democrat-18th District), Senator Dianne H. Hesselbein (Democrat-27th District), Senator LaTonya Johnson (Democrat-6th District), Senator Melissa Ratcliff (Democrat-16th District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Clinton M. Anderson (Democrat-45th District), Representative Deb Andraca (Democrat-23rd District), and Representative Mike Bare (Democrat-80th District), along 17 other co-sponsors.
Chris Larson has authored or co-authored another 59 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with all of them being adopted.
Larson graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee in 2007 with a BA.
Larson, a Democrat, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2011 to represent the state’s 7th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Jeffrey Plale.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| SB343 | 06/27/2025 | Requiring bicycle and pedestrian facilities in highway projects and granting rule-making authority. (FE) |
| SB330 | 06/19/2025 | Waiting period for purchase of handguns |
| SB329 | 06/19/2025 | Extreme risk protection temporary restraining orders and injunctions, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty. (FE) |
| SB319 | 06/12/2025 | Designating the rusty patched bumble bee as the state native insect |
| SB314 | 06/04/2025 | The pupil participation limit in the state parental choice program |
| SB233 | 04/29/2025 | Inducements to sign or refrain from signing nomination papers, recall petitions, and certain other petitions |
| SB165 | 03/27/2025 | Eliminating daylight saving time in Wisconsin |
| SB150 | 03/21/2025 | Passing legislation to reduce carbon emissions |
| SB149 | 03/21/2025 | Requiring the legislature to convene an extraordinary session if an executive order of the president of the United States freezes federal aid to the state |
