Parking for persons with disabilities and an accessible entrance are available on the south side of the Hill Farms State Transportation Building.
Analysis Prepared by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation
Statutes interpreted: Ch.
351, Stats.
Explanation of agency authority: Sections
85.16 (1), Stats., grant the Department broad authority to “make reasonable and uniform orders and rules deemed necessary to the discharge of the powers, duties and functions vested in the department." Similar authority is granted to the Department under s.
227.11 (2), Stats.
The Department administers the Habitual Traffic Offender law, ch.
351, Stats. The Department reviews the driver records for all drivers and determines whether a person qualifies as a habitual traffic offender. If the Department concludes a person qualifies as a habitual traffic offender, the Department revokes the person's operating privilege for 5 years as required by s.
351.025, Stats.
Ch.
Trans 103 has been promulgated by the Department to carry out this administrative task.
Related statute or rule: Ch.
351, Stats.
Plain language analysis: The Department administers the Habitual Traffic Offender law, ch.
351, Stats. The Department reviews the driver records for all drivers and determines whether a person qualifies as a habitual traffic offender. If the Department concludes a person qualifies as a habitual traffic offender, the Department revokes the person's operating privilege for 5 years as required by s.
351.025, Stats.
2005 Wis. Act 25 amended ch.
351, Stats., to change the definition of “habitual traffic offender" as used in that chapter. Under prior law, any offense resulting in the assessment of demerit points or other moving violation could be counted as a “minor offense" under the HTO law. Accumulation of 12 such offenses resulted in a mandatory 5-year HTO revocation of driving privileges.
Under the law as amended by
2005 Act 25, only violations of the rules of the road enumerated in ch.
346, Stats., count as “minor offenses." Thus, only persons who commit 12 or more violations of ch.
346, Stats., are deemed “Habitual Traffic Offenders" under the amended law. This rule makes minor changes to ch.
Trans 103 to make it consistent with the new statutory provisions.
The amended law gave DOT authority to count or not to count offenses reported to DOT before the effective date of the law for purposes of making determinations of HTO status. The Department has counted all offenses reported prior to that effective date for purposes of implementing the new law. As a result, courts are being inundated with requests to reopen old cases and then re-report them to DOT. This activity results in WisDOT being legally obliged to re-calculate the person's HTO status and often to release the person's HTO revocation. In addition, individuals are petitioning circuit courts for review of HTO determinations under the provisions of ch.
351, Stats.
This mechanism is administratively inefficient in two respects. First, it results in time consuming case-by-case work by courts. Second, it requires DOT to deal with individual HTO cases on a one-by-one basis. DOT can reassess all drivers' status at one time through the use of its computer systems. Courts have asked the Department to do this, and the Department believes doing so will be a more efficient mechanism for both the courts and the Department. The rule making will permit the Department to do so.
As a result of this rule making, all persons' HTO status will be determined according to the same rules, rather than having different requirements for persons whose convictions were reported before and after the effective date of
2005 Wis. Act 25. The Department believes this will be fairer to all individuals affected by the HTO law.
This rule making also makes clear that the Department will continue to count all major violations as minor violations, regardless of whether the violations are for violations of statutes outside ch.
346. Thus, great bodily harm and homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle, violations of ss.
940.25 and
940.09, Stats., will be counted as both major and minor offenses under this rule making.
Summary of, and preliminary comparison with, existing or proposed federal regulation: There is no existing or proposed federal regulation requiring states to impose an HTO law.
Comparison with Rules in Adjacent States:
Michigan: A review of Michigan traffic statutes did not reveal a similar law to Wisconsin's Habitual Traffic Offender Law, Ch.
351, Stats., in that state.
Minnesota: Under s.
171.18 (4), MN Stats., the Minnesota commissioner of public safety may suspend the driver license of a “habitual traffic offender" for up to 1 year (Wisconsin revokes for 5 years). The commissioner determines which offenses shall be counted in that state by rule. This system is more similar to Wisconsin's demerit point system than Wisconsin's Habitual Traffic Offender law. Minnesota does not appear to have a 5-year license revocation for habitual violations like Wisconsin.
Illinois: In Illinois, a driver's license will be suspended if the driver is convicted of three traffic violations committed within any 12-month period. Drivers under age 21 at the time of arrest will be suspended if convicted of two traffic violations within any 24-month period. Drivers under age 18 are required to successfully complete a driver remedial education course to reinstate their driving privileges. In addition, such drivers may be required to submit to a complete driver's license examination to be re-issued a driver's license. The length of the suspension varies according to the seriousness of the traffic offenses. This system is more similar to Wisconsin's demerit point system than Wisconsin's Habitual Traffic Offender law. Illinois does not appear to have a 5-year license revocation for habitual violations like Wisconsin.
Iowa: In Iowa, a driver who is convicted of 3 serious offenses in a 6-year period or 6 minor offenses in a 2-year period is subject to a 2-year to 6-year license revocation as a habitual traffic offender. The driver is ineligible for an occupational license for one year. Iowa counts all traffic offenses reported to its driver licensing authority identically and does not distinguish between violations of the rules of the road, equipment violations, and other violations of the traffic code. Iowa Code ss.
321.555 through
321.562.
Summary of factual data and analytical methodologies used and how the related findings support the regulatory approach chosen: Approximately 15,000 drivers are currently revoked as Habitual Traffic Offenders under Wisconsin law. DOT estimates that if all drivers' status are reassessed consistent with the requirements of
2005 Wis. Act 25's amendments to the HTO law, that approximately 10,000 to 12,000 drivers will no longer be subject to a 5-year revocation and may be eligible to reinstate their operating privileges earlier than otherwise anticipated.
Analysis and supporting documentation used to determine effect on small businesses: This rulemaking is not anticipated to effect small business in any fashion as it does not regulate or impose requirements upon businesses.
Effect on small business: This rule making will have no effect upon small businesses, except to the extent that it permits some employees to reinstate driver licenses. The Department's Regulatory Review Coordinator may be contacted by e-mail at
andrew.ruiz@dot.state.wi.us, or by calling (414) 438-4585.
Fiscal effect and anticipated costs incurred by private sector: The Department expects no significant fiscal effect from implementing this regulation. The Department will incur data processing costs to recalculate the HTO status of persons currently revoked under the HTO laws. These costs, however, will undoubtedly be less than the costs of the Department and courts dealing with these cases on a one-by-one basis.
Agency contact person and place where comments are to be submitted and deadline for submission: The public record on this proposed rule making will be held open until close of business the day of the hearing to permit the submission of comments in lieu of public hearing testimony or comments supplementing testimony offered at the hearing. Any such comments should be submitted to Kent Buehler, Department of Transportation, Bureau of Driver Services, Citations and Withdrawal Section, Room 305, P. O. Box 7917, Madison, WI 53707-7917. You may also contact Mr. Buehler by phone at (608) 266-9901.
Notice of Hearing
Transportation
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to ss.
85.16 (1) and
348.07 (4), Stats., interpreting s.
348.07 (4), Stats., the Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing at the following location to consider the amendment of chapter Trans 276, Wisconsin Administrative Code, relating to allowing the operation of double bottoms and certain other vehicles on certain specified highways:
May 16, 2006
Department of Transportation
Hill Farms State Transportation Office
Room 639
Madison, WI
10:30 AM
(Parking is available for persons with disabilities)
An interpreter for the hearing impaired will be available on request for this hearing. Please make reservations for a hearing interpreter at least 10 days prior to the hearing.
Analysis Prepared by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation
Plain Language Analysis and Summary of, and Preliminary Comparison with, Existing or Federal Regulation. In the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982 (STAA), the federal government acted under the Commerce clause of the United States Constitution to provide uniform standards on vehicle length applicable in all states. The length provisions of STAA apply to truck tractor-semitrailer combinations and to truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer combinations. (See Jan. 6, 1983, Public Law 97-424, § 411) The uniform standards provide that:
•
No state shall impose a limit of less than 48 feet on a semitrailer operating in a truck tractor-semitrailer combination.
•
No state shall impose a length limit of less than 28 feet on any semitrailer or trailer operating in a truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer combination.
•
No state may limit the length of truck tractors.
•
No state shall impose an overall length limitation on commercial vehicles operating in truck tractor-semitrailer or truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer combinations.
•
No state shall prohibit operation of truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer combinations.
The vehicles authorized by the STAA may operate on the national system of interstate and defense highways and on those federal aid primary highways designated by regulation of the secretary of the United States Department of Transportation. In 1984 the USDOT adopted
23 CFR Part 658 which in Appendix A lists the highways in each state upon which STAA authorized vehicles may operate. Collectively these highways are known as the National Network. In
1983 Wisconsin Act 78, the legislature enacted s 348.07 (4), Stats., which directs the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to adopt a rule designating the highways in Wisconsin on which STAA authorized vehicles may be operated consistent with federal regulations.
The Department of Transportation first adopted ch.
Trans 276 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code in December of 1984. The rule is consistent with
23 CFR Part 658 in that the Wisconsin rule designates all of the highways in Wisconsin that are listed in
23 CFR Part 658 as part of the National Network for STAA authorized vehicles. The federal regulation does not prohibit states from allowing operation of STAA authorized vehicles on additional state highways. The rule making authority granted to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation in s.
348.07 (4), Stats., allows the DOT to add routes in Wisconsin consistent with public safety. The rule making process also provides a mechanism to review requests from businesses and shipping firms for access to the designated highway system for points of origin and delivery beyond 5 miles from a designated route. A process to review and respond to requests for reasonable access is required by
23 CFR Part 658.
This rule amends s.
Trans 276.07 (10) and
(24), Wisconsin Administrative Code, to add two segments of highway to the designated highway system established under s.
348.07 (4), Stats. The actual highway segments
1 that this rule adds to the designated highway system are:
Hwy. From To
STH 49 Waupaca Iola
STH 161 Nelsonville Symco
The long trucks to which this rule applies are those with 53-foot semitrailers, double bottoms and the vehicles which may legally operate on the federal National Network, but which exceed Wisconsin's regular limits on overall length. Generally, no person may operate any of the following vehicles on Wisconsin's highways without a permit: A single vehicle with an overall length in excess of 40 feet
2, a combination of vehicles with an overall length in excess of 65 feet, a semitrailer longer than 48 feet, an automobile haulaway longer than 66 feet plus allowed overhangs, or a double bottom. Certain exceptions are provided under s.
348.07 (2), Stats., which implements provisions of the federal Surface Transportation Assistance Act in Wisconsin.
The effect of this rule will be to extend the provisions of s.
348.07 (2) (f),
(fm),
(gm) and
(gr), and s.
348.08 (1) (e), Stats., to the highway segments listed above. As a result, vehicles which may legally operate on the federal National Network in Wisconsin will also be allowed to operate on the newly-designated highway. Specifically, this means there will be no overall length limitation for a tractor-semitrailer combination, a double bottom or an automobile haulaway on the affected highway segment. There also will be no length limitation for a truck tractor or road tractor when operated in a tractor-semitrailer combination or as part of a double bottom or an automobile haulaway. Double bottoms will be allowed to operate on the affected highway segment provided neither trailer is longer than 28 feet, 6 inches. Semitrailers up to 53 feet long may also be operated on this highway segment provided the kingpin to rear axle distance does not exceed 43 feet. This distance is measured from the kingpin to the center of the rear axle or, if the semitrailer has a tandem axle, to a point midway between the first and last axles of the tandem. Otherwise, semitrailers, including semitrailers which are part of an automobile haulaway, are limited to 48 feet in length.
These vehicles and combinations are also allowed to operate on undesignated highways for a distance of 5 miles or less from the designated highway in order to reach fuel, food, maintenance, repair, rest, staging, terminal or vehicle assembly or points of loading or unloading.
1 The rule text often achieves these objectives by consolidating individual segments into contiguous segments with new end points. In order to determine the actual highway segment added, it is necessary to compare the combined old designations with the combined new designation.
2 45-foot buses are allowed on the National Network and Interstate system by Federal law. Section 4006(b) of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991.
Comparison with Rules in Adjacent States: None of the states adjacent to Wisconsin (Michigan, Minnesota, Illinois and Iowa) have administrative rules relating to long truck routes in their states.
Summary of Factual Data and Analytical Methodologies Used and How the Related Findings Support the Regulatory Approach Chosen: Due to the federal requirement that requests for access to the designated highway system in a state be decided within 90 days of the request, a proposed rule making to add requested routes is initiated without investigation. The public hearing and Department investigation undertaken in preparation for the hearing provide the engineering and economic data needed to make a final decision on whether to withdraw the proposal or proceed to final rule making.
Effect on Small Business and, If Applicable, Any Analysis and Supporting Documentation Used to Determine Effect on Small Businesses: The provisions of this rule adding a highway segment to the designated system have no direct adverse effect on small businesses, and may have a favorable effect on those small businesses which are shippers or carriers using the newly-designated routes. The Department's Regulatory Review Coordinator may be contacted by e-mail at
andrew.ruiz@dot.state.wi.us, or by calling (414) 438-4585.
Fiscal Effect and Anticipated Costs Incurred by Private Sector: The Department estimates that there will be no fiscal impact on the liabilities or revenues of any county, city, village, town, school district, vocational, technical and adult education district, sewerage district, or federally-recognized tribes or bands. The Department estimates that there will be no fiscal impact on state or private sector revenues or liabilities.
Contact Person and Place Where Comments are to be Submitted and Deadline for Submission: The public record on this proposed rule making will be held open until close of business the day of the hearing to permit the submission of comments in lieu of public hearing testimony or comments supplementing testimony offered at the hearing. Any such comments should be submitted to Ashwani Sharma, Department of Transportation, Bureau of Highway Operations, Room 501, P. O. Box 7986, Madison, WI 53707-7986. You may also contact Mr. Sharma by phone at (608) 266-1273.
Notice of Hearing
Transportation
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to ss.
84.185,
85.16 and
227.11, Stats., and interpreting s.
84.185 (3) (b) 1.,
(3m),
(4),
(6m) and
(8r), Stats., the Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing in Room 144-B of the Hill Farms State Transportation Building, 4802 Sheboygan Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin on the
25th day of May, 2006, at 10:00 a.m., to consider the amendment of ch.
Trans 510, Wisconsin Administrative Code, relating to the Transportation Facilities Economic Assistance and Development (TEA) Program.
An interpreter for the hearing impaired will be available on request for this hearing. Please make reservations for a hearing interpreter at least 10 days prior to the hearing.
Parking for persons with disabilities and an accessible entrance are available on the south side of the Hill Farms State Transportation Building.
Analysis Prepared by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation
Explanation of agency authority: The secretary has the authority, pursuant to s.
84.185, Stats., to provide economic assistance for transportation facility improvements.
Related statute or rule: s.
84.185, Stats.
Plain Language Analysis: This proposed rule modifies ch.
Trans 510 relating to the Transportation Facilities Economic Assistance and Development (TEA) Program by: (1) establishing criteria and procedures for the granting of TEA loans in addition to TEA grants; (2) changing funding cycles from quarterly to a year round first-come, first-serve basis; (3) correcting program contacts due to recent reorganizations; (4) eliminating program inconsistencies that both prohibit and allow grant ceiling adjustments; and (5) requiring ethanol plant constructions to be competitively bid in order to be eligible for TEA.
Summary of, and Preliminary Comparison with, Existing or Proposed Federal Regulation: There are no existing or proposed federal regulations.
Comparison with Rules in Adjacent States:
Michigan: (Transportation Economic Development Fund)
(1) Loans – 20% of projects
(2) Cycles – quarterly
(3) Contacts changed No
(4) Adjust awards upward – Yes
(5) Ethanol plants competitively bid requirement – No.
Minnesota: No program
Illinois: (Economic Development Program)
(1) Loans – No
