341.17 Department to compile registration lists.

(1) At intervals selected by the department, the department shall compile a list of registrations made during that interval pursuant to the system of registering automobiles under s. 341.27. The list shall give the name and address of each registrant, the registration number assigned, and other identifying information as the department deems necessary.

(2) The department shall compile a list by counties of new automobile and motor truck registrations. Registrations for other new vehicles may be included if deemed necessary by the department. Such lists shall be compiled at such intervals during the month as is deemed necessary by the department but the final list compiled each month shall include the listing of the last day of the month. Such list shall contain only those vehicles being registered for the first time after sale by a dealer. Such list shall contain the name and address of the owner, the make, body type, identification number of the vehicle, the dealer license number, if such dealer is registered in this state, and the date of sale.

(4) Upon request, the department shall distribute free of charge registration lists compiled under this section as follows:

(a) To each county clerk, one copy of each automobile registration list under sub. (1).

(c) To the sheriff of each county, one copy of each automobile registration list under sub. (1).

(d) To each chief of police, one copy of each automobile registration list under sub. (1).

(e) To each village clerk, one copy of each automobile registration list under sub. (1).

(g) To the department of revenue, the number of copies of each automobile registration list under sub. (1) as requested.

(h) To the commission, one copy of each automobile registration list under sub. (1).

(5) Except as provided in sub. (9) (e), public officers and agencies receiving free copies of registration lists under sub. (4) shall keep such lists current and open to public inspection.

(6) The department shall sell subscriptions to the registration lists compiled under this section and may sell other registration information. In computing the charge to be made for subscriptions to the registration lists and for other registration information, the department shall determine the costs of compiling the lists and other information and shall fairly apportion the major share of those costs among the subscribers and other purchasers.

(7) The department may suspend the compilation and distribution of the registration lists during a period of national war emergency and while new registration numbers are not being issued annually, but shall continue to transmit from time to time to the persons under sub. (4) who request free copies of the lists any additions to or changes in the lists issued during the year preceding suspension which are caused by the registration of vehicles not previously registered in the state or by the issuance of new registration numbers for vehicles previously registered.

(8) The department shall charge a fee of not less than $2 for conducting a file search of vehicle registration records.

(9)

(a) In this subsection:

1. “Agent" means an authorized person who acts on behalf of or at the direction of another person.

2. “Insurer" has the meaning given in s. 600.03 (27).

3. “Personal identifier" has the meaning given in s. 85.103 (1) and includes a birth date submitted under s. 341.08.

4. “State authority" has the meaning given in s. 19.62 (8).

(b) In providing copies under this section or s. 19.35 (1) (a) of any written information collected or prepared under this chapter or ch. 342 which consists in whole or in part of the personal identifiers of 10 or more persons, the department may not disclose a personal identifier of any person who has made a designation under s. 85.103 (2) or (3).

(c) Paragraph (b) does not apply to any of the following:

1. A person receiving a registration list under sub. (4) to perform a legally authorized function.

2. A law enforcement agency, a state authority, a federal governmental agency, or the commission to perform a legally authorized function.

3. An insurer authorized to write property and casualty or life, disability or long-term care insurance in this state or an agent of the insurer, if the insurer or agent uses the personal identifiers designated for nondisclosure under s. 85.103 (2) or (3) for purposes of issuing or renewing a policy and related underwriting, billing or processing or paying a claim. Notwithstanding par. (e), no insurer, or agent of an insurer, may disclose to another person for marketing purposes any personal identifier received under this subdivision.

4. A person obtaining registration or title information for use in the conduct of a vehicle recall by the manufacturer of the vehicle or an agent of the manufacturer, if the person uses the personal identifiers designated for nondisclosure under s. 85.103 (2) or (3) for vehicle recalls. Notwithstanding par. (e), no person receiving a personal identifier under this subdivision may disclose the personal identifier to another person for marketing purposes.

5. An association, as defined in s. 895.449 (1), obtaining registration information for use in providing information under s. 895.449, if the association uses the personal identifiers designated for nondisclosure under s. 85.103 (2) or (3) for this purpose. Notwithstanding par. (e), no person receiving a personal identifier under this subdivision may disclose the personal identifier to another person for marketing purposes.

(e) Any person who has received under par. (c) a personal identifier of any person who has made a designation under s. 85.103 (2) or (3) shall keep the personal identifier confidential and may not disclose it except for a purpose applicable to that person under par. (c).

(f)

1. Any person who discloses a personal identifier in violation of this subsection may be required to forfeit not more than $500 for each violation.

2. Any person who requests or obtains a personal identifier from the department under this subsection under false pretenses may be required to forfeit not more than $500 for each violation.

3. Subdivisions 1. and 2. do not apply to a legal custodian under s. 19.33 of the department.

History: 1971 c. 164; 1977 c. 29 ss. 1422, 1654 (7) (a), (e); 1977 c. 273; 1979 c. 221; 1985 a. 202; 1987 a. 217; 1991 a. 269; 1997 a. 27; 1999 a. 88, 110; 2007 a. 27; 2011 a. 186.