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Committee backs city resolution to press state on tougher penalties for illegal tire dumping
Summary
Milwaukee’s Judiciary and Legislation Committee agreed March 13 to adopt a resolution registering the city’s position on state legislation that would increase penalties for illegal tire dumping, including a proposed amendment that would add misdemeanor charges and raise fines to as much as $10,000. Staff flagged concerns and urged future coordination with state agencies.
Milwaukee — The Judiciary and Legislation Committee on March 13 adopted a resolution to register the city’s position on state legislation targeting illegal tire dumping, while flagging concerns about a late amendment that would add criminal penalties and substantially increase fines.
Calvin Lee of the Legislative Affairs Division told committee members that Senate Bill 1059 (as amended) would expand existing law from private property to public property and increase penalties; an amendment discussed during the meeting would raise maximum fines to $10,000 and make some violations a class A misdemeanor. Lee said the bill passed a committee vote yesterday 5–3 in the Senate, with three Democrats opposed in that committee because of the penalty enhancement.
“On the ordinance that was passed subsequently last year, that enhanced the penalty as well,” Lee said, but the proposed amendment “changed some of the language from primarily private property to public property as well.” He added that the amendment increases the monetary penalty and attaches criminal liability in some cases.
Committee members voiced mixed reactions about criminalizing dumping. One member noted a repeat offender who received dozens of littering tickets but continued to dump, arguing enhanced penalties could be a stronger deterrent. Others expressed reservations about creating a new criminal class for conduct that previously drew civil fines.
Katie Yeager of the Intergovernmental Relations Division said the city already offers free drop-off sites for residents (up to four tires per vehicle) and that the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources runs a tire-recycling program. Yeager suggested exploring expanded drop-off capacity or state-funded incentives to make proper disposal more accessible in Milwaukee.
“We shared with the bill authors that the city does have free sites to drop off up to four tires,” Yeager said, and noted the city would pursue conversations with state agencies to seek broader support.
Committee members instructed staff to register the city’s position as drafted; Alderman Andrea Pratt moved adoption of the resolution and the committee ordered it without objection. Staff cautioned members that the amendment’s drafting is unclear in places — including how it would classify heavy machinery operators and whether local governments would be regulated by a newly created board without local representation — and recommended further coordination before the next session.
The committee’s adoption registers Milwaukee’s interest and gives staff a mandate to continue discussions with state lawmakers and agencies about enforcement, funding and possible statutory fixes. The city will appear on record for the March 24 council meeting if the issue is scheduled for council action.
