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Milwaukee County supervisors lay over hands‑free driving resolution amid enforcement concerns
Summary
The Intergovernmental Relations Committee laid over a resolution urging state lawmakers to require hands‑free phone use while driving after supervisors raised concerns about enforcement and impacts on immigrant communities.
On Jan. 31, 2025, the Milwaukee County Intergovernmental Relations Committee voted to lay over a resolution urging state legislators to adopt a hands‑free driving law that would require drivers to use hands‑free technology and avoid holding cell phones while driving.
The resolution, introduced by Supervisor Skye Capriolo (Milwaukee County Board, District 15) and co‑sponsored by supervisors Capriollo, O'Connor, Ekblad, Rolland, Vincent and Logston, asks state lawmakers to reconsider previously proposed bipartisan hands‑free legislation as a next step to reduce distracted driving and to support the county's Vision 0 initiative. "This resolution is basically just taking that next logical step to say, hey, let's just keep our hands off phones and on the wheel, anyone, everywhere," Capriolo said.
The measure drew widespread support for its safety goals but also persistent concern about possible unintended consequences. Peter Bergellis, a city alderman who joined Capriolo at the committee, described distracted driving as a widespread public‑safety problem and called the change "an easy lift." "This small plastic device can help save lives," Bergellis said.
Several supervisors urged caution. Supervisor Juan Miguel Martinez said he feared enforcement could lead to profiling of immigrant drivers and asked that the resolution and any future legislation explicitly consider and mitigate those risks. "The fear of being pulled over is just a really big thing," Martinez said, adding that many immigrant residents already face difficulties obtaining licenses and fear traffic stops. Supervisor Taylor and Supervisor Shea said they supported the resolution's intent but favored laying it over to draft additional language or attach an informal harm analysis that would address enforcement and equity concerns.
Supervisor O'Connor moved to lay the item over "to the call of the chair." The committee voted 5–0 in favor. The roll call recorded "aye" votes from Supervisors O'Connor, Taylor (District 5), Shea, Coggs Jones and the chairwoman; no "no" votes were recorded. The motion was recorded as: "On the motion by Supervisor O'Connor that item number 1 be laid over to the call of the chair." The committee clerk announced, "5 ayes, 0 nos. The motion prevails." The formal action was recorded as a postponement (laid over) rather than a final endorsement of specific statutory language.
Capriolo told the committee she will work with colleagues to amend the resolution and add language addressing enforcement concerns; she also said she is introducing a companion resolution at the City of Milwaukee. Several supervisors asked staff to draft alternative wording to emphasize education and awareness or to include protections intended to prevent discriminatory enforcement. The committee did not adopt substantive amendments or direct staff to draft exact replacement language at the Jan. 31 meeting.
Next steps: the resolution will return when the chair calls it back, with sponsors indicating an intention to add language around enforcement and equity before resubmission to the committee.
