SB159: Bill Text

LRB-0975/3

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2003 - 2004 LEGISLATURE

2003 Senate BILL 159

May 8, 2003 - Introduced by Senators Zien, Harsdorf, A. Lasee, Brown and Stepp, cosponsored by Representatives Pettis, Musser, Gronemus, Hines, Krawczyk, Van Roy, Owens, Bies, Stone, Freese, Friske, Seratti, Gunderson and Towns. Referred to Committee on Transportation and Information Infrastructure.

SB159,1,3 An Act to repeal 348.27 (7m) (title); and to renumber and amend 348.27 (7m) of the statutes; relating to: operating certain 3-vehicle combinations on the highways.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Current law generally prohibits any person from driving a vehicle on a highway while towing two or more vehicles unless the driver possesses a permit issued by the Department of Transportation (DOT). DOT may issue annual or consecutive month permits for certain three-vehicle combinations that consist of the following vehicles:

1. A towing vehicle.

2. A mobile home or camping trailer.

3. A boat trailer, motorcycle trailer, personal watercraft trailer, or all-terrain vehicle trailer.

Under current law, the overall length of the combination of vehicles may not exceed 60 feet and, unless not structurally possible, the lighter of the towed vehicles must occupy the last position in the three-vehicle combination. The towed vehicles must be for the use of the driver of the towing vehicle.

This bill eliminates the permit requirement for three-vehicle combinations meeting the specified criteria and increases the maximum permissible overall length of the combination of vehicles from 60 feet to 65 feet but, with an exception, requires the middle vehicle in the three-vehicle combination to be equipped with brakes. Under the exception, a three-vehicle combination that is not equipped with brakes on the middle vehicle may be operated if the middle vehicle is of model year 1995 or earlier and the overall length of the three-vehicle combination does not exceed 60 feet. The bill also expands the permissible towed vehicles described in item 3 to include horse trailers and other trailers for vehicles for personal recreational use. The bill allows the operation of these three-vehicle combinations only from April 1 to November 15 of each year.

For further information see the state 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:

SB159, s. 1 Section 1. 348.27 (7m) (title) of the statutes is repealed.

SB159, s. 2 Section 2. 348.27 (7m) of the statutes is renumbered 348.08 (1) (am) and amended to read:

SB159,3,4 348.08 (1) (am) The department may issue an annual or consecutive month permit for the movement of a A 3-vehicle combination consisting of a towing vehicle and, in order by weight, with the lighter of the towed vehicles as the 3rd vehicle in the 3-vehicle combination unless not structurally possible, a mobile home or camping trailer, and a boat trailer, motorcycle trailer, personal watercraft trailer or, all-terrain vehicle trailer, horse trailer, or other trailer for a vehicle for personal recreational use, may, without such permit, be operated on a highway, from April 1 to November 15 of each year, if the overall length of the combination of vehicles does not exceed 60 feet and the 2nd vehicle in the 3-vehicle combination is of a model year of 1995 or earlier, or the overall length of the combination of vehicles does not exceed 65 feet and the 2nd vehicle in the 3-vehicle combination is equipped with brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and hold it, and the towed vehicles are for the use of the operator of the towing vehicle. A permit under this subsection may be issued only by the department, regardless of the highways to be used. The department may designate the routes that may be used by the permittee. The fee for an annual permit under this subsection is $40. The fee for a consecutive month permit under this subsection shall be determined in the manner provided in s. 348.25 (8) (bm), except that the $40 fee for an annual permit under this subsection shall be used in the computation.

SB159, s. 3 Section 3. Initial applicability.

SB159,3,7 (1) This act first applies to 3-vehicle combinations operated on the effective date of this subsection.

SB159,3,8 (End)