Barbara Dittrich, Wisconsin State Representative for 99th District | https://www.facebook.com
Barbara Dittrich, Wisconsin State Representative for 99th District | 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, the bill allows school buses to be equipped with additional back-up lamps specifically mounted on each side of the vehicle to illuminate the rear wheels when backing up. These lamps can project a white or amber light aimed at the rear wheels, which differs from the current regulation allowing motor vehicles to have no more than two back-up lamps projecting light to illuminate the roadway up to 75 feet behind the vehicle. The change is specifically for school buses to enhance safety during reversing maneuvers, complementing the existing back-up lighting regulations.
The bill was co-authored by Senator Cory Tomczyk (Republican-29th District), Representative Joy L. Goeben (Republican-5th District), Representative Rick Gundrum (Republican-58th District), Representative Daniel Knodl (Republican-24th District), Representative Paul Melotik (Republican-22nd District). It was co-sponsored by Senator Steve L. Nass (Republican-11th District) and Senator Mark Spreitzer (Democrat-15th District), along three other co-sponsors.
Barbara Dittrich has co-authored or authored another 75 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.
Dittrich, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2025 to represent the state's 99th Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Cindi Duchow.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| AB126 | 03/11/2025 | School bus back-up lamps |
| AB106 | 03/11/2025 | Exempting certain electric vehicle charging stations located at a residence from the electric vehicle charging tax. (FE) |
| AB103 | 03/04/2025 | School board policies related to changing a pupil’s legal name and pronouns |
| AB102 | 03/03/2025 | Designating University of Wisconsin and technical college sports and athletic teams based on the sex of the participants |
| AB100 | 03/03/2025 | Designating athletic sports and teams operated or sponsored by public schools or private schools participating in a parental choice program based on the sex of the participants |
| AB71 | 02/24/2025 | School district operating referenda |
| AB68 | 02/24/2025 | The prescription drug monitoring program. (FE) |
| AB63 | 02/24/2025 | Financing the operating costs and certain out-of-state projects of nonprofit institutions and compensation of employees of the Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority. (FE) |
| AB61 | 02/24/2025 | Injuring or killing a police or fire animal and providing a penalty |
| AB44 | 02/17/2025 | Allowing advanced practice nurse prescribers to pronounce the date, time, and place of a patient’s death for purposes of the preparation of death records |
| AB9 | 02/06/2025 | Allowing representatives of certain federally chartered youth membership organizations to provide information to pupils on public school property |
| AB5 | 02/03/2025 | Requiring school boards to make textbooks, curricula, and instructional materials available for inspection by school district residents |
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