Regulation of railroads in Wisconsin began in 1874 with the appointment of three railroad
commissioners. By 1878, the number of commissioners was reduced to one who became an elected
official in 1881. With the formation of the Railroad Commission in 1905, regulation took on
its current form. In 1931, the Commission was renamed the Public Service Commission.
Railroad regulation was transferred to the newly-created Transportation Commission in 1978,
and then to the Office of the Commissioner of Transportation in 1983. Finally, in 1993
responsibility for railroad regulation was transferred to the Office of the Commissioner of
Railroads.
See each Agency's History in the catalog:
