AB794: Bill Text

LRB-4060/1

ARG:jld:ch

2003 - 2004 LEGISLATURE

2003 Assembly BILL 794

February 2, 2004 - Introduced by Representatives Sherman, Petrowski, Gard, Friske, J. Wood and Suder, cosponsored by Senators Leibham, Jauch, Welch, Zien and Breske. Referred to Committee on Highway Safety.

AB794,1,3 An Act to amend 348.27 (9) (a) of the statutes; relating to: annual or consecutive month permits for vehicles or combinations of vehicles transporting loads near the Wisconsin-Michigan border.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, with limited exceptions, no person may operate upon a highway any vehicle or combination of vehicles that exceeds certain statutory limits on size, weight, or load unless that person possesses a permit issued by the Department of Transportation (DOT). DOT may issue an annual or consecutive month permit for an oversize or overweight vehicle or combination of vehicles transporting loads over any state highway within 11 miles of the Wisconsin-Michigan state line and, if previously approved by local highway authorities, on local highways within that 11-mile area.

This bill extends the area for which such a permit may be issued for certain vehicles or combinations of vehicles traveling on USH 2. Under the bill, a vehicle or combination of vehicles transporting exclusively peeled or unpeeled forest products cut crosswise may operate under such a permit anywhere upon USH 2 in Ashland County or Iron County if the vehicle or combination of vehicles is traveling between Wisconsin and Michigan and does not violate length or weight limitations established under current Michigan law. The permit does not authorize travel upon local roads unless previously approved by local highway authorities.

Under current law, if any bill introduced in either house of the legislature directly or indirectly establishes an exception to vehicle weight limitations, DOT must prepare a report, containing specified information, relating to the bill within six weeks after the bill is introduced and before any vote is taken on the bill. This bill directs DOT not to prepare such a report on this bill.

For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB794, s. 1 Section 1. 348.27 (9) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB794,2,14 348.27 (9) (a) The department may issue annual or consecutive month permits for the transportation on a vehicle or combination of vehicles of loads exceeding statutory length or weight limitations over any class of highway for a distance not to exceed 11 miles from the Michigan-Wisconsin state line, provided that if except that a vehicle or combination of vehicles transporting exclusively peeled or unpeeled forest products cut crosswise may operate under such a permit anywhere upon USH 2 in Iron County or Ashland County if the vehicle or combination of vehicles is traveling between this state and Michigan and does not violate length or weight limitations established, as of the effective date of this paragraph .... [revisor inserts date], under Michigan law. If the roads desired to be used by the applicants involve streets or highways other than those within the state trunk highway system, the application shall be accompanied by a written statement of route approval by the officer in charge of maintenance of the other highway.

AB794, s. 2 Section 2. Nonstatutory provisions.

AB794,2,18 (1) Exception to review by the department of transportation. Notwithstanding section 13.096 (2) of the statutes, the department of transportation shall not prepare a report on this bill under section 13.096 (2) and (3) of the statutes.

AB794, s. 3 Section 3. Initial applicability.

AB794,3,2 (1) This act first applies to permits issued on the effective date of this subsection.

AB794,3,3 (End)