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Wisconsin’s ag lemon law hearing uneventful

A public hearing was held Tuesday for the latest bill before Wisconsin state lawmakers that would create a lemon law for agricultural equipment. 

Senate Bill 8 would create a lemon law covering expensive agricultural equipment similar to the lemon law already in place for cars and trucks.  The Senate Transportation and Local Government Committee held a hearing at the Capitol, but the only person addressing the committee was the bill’s author, Senator Andre Jacque, who says this bill is similar to the ag lemon law bill that died in committee last session.  Jacque tells Brownfield he’s confident this bipartisan bill can pass this session, and it has support in the State Assembly.

The hearing was very short, as not one farmer or agricultural group appeared to support or oppose the bill.  Jacque says Farm Bureau supported the bill in the last session.  A Capitol staffer who wished to remain anonymous tells Brownfield he believes some of the major warranty issues have been taken care of without legislation, so the ag community might be watching the bill but not lobbying for it.

The legislation is backed by property tax group, and opposed by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers and Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce.