Milwaukee City Wire

A bill authored by State Rep. Kalan Haywood in the Wisconsin Assembly seeks to improve traffic safety in Milwaukee by authorizing speed and traffic control camera systems to enforce laws and fund safety efforts, according to the Wisconsin State Assembly.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "the use of speed safety camera systems and traffic control photographic systems in a first class city 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 authorizes the use of speed safety camera systems and traffic control photographic systems in Milwaukee to enforce traffic laws. The speed safety camera system will detect vehicles exceeding speed limits, with penalties applied only for speeds 15 mph above the limit. Similarly, the traffic control photographic system will capture vehicles running red lights. Violators will face forfeitures, and collected fines will fund traffic safety and enforcement efforts. Both systems will have a five-year implementation period, during which the city must conduct public awareness campaigns and evaluations of their impact on traffic safety.

The bill was co-authored by Sen. Cory Tomczyk (Republican-29th District), Rep. Margaret Arney (Democrat-18th District), Rep. Robert Brooks (Republican-59th District), Rep. Cindi Duchow (Republican-97th District), and Rep. Russell Goodwin (Democrat-12th District). It was co-sponsored by Sen. Tim Carpenter (Democrat-3rd District), Sen. Dora E. Drake (Democrat-4th District), and Sen. Jodi Habush Sinykin (Democrat-8th District), along with 12 other co-sponsors.

Kalan Haywood has authored or co-authored another 46 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.

Haywood graduated from Cardinal Stritch University.

Haywood, a Democrat, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2019 to represent the state's 16th Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Leon Young.

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
AB371	07/17/2025	The use of speed safety camera systems and traffic control photographic systems in a first class city and providing a penalty. (FE)
AB367	07/17/2025	Exemptions from minimum wage, overtime pay, and recordkeeping requirements for minor league baseball players
AB213	04/23/2025	Prohibiting hedge funds from acquiring single-family homes in this state. (FE)
AB186	04/15/2025	Study of guaranteed employment grant program and making an appropriation. (FE)
AB125	03/11/2025	Special observance days in schools