LRB-0187/1
EVM:cjs
2019 - 2020 LEGISLATURE
April 18, 2019 - Introduced by Senators Jacque, Testin, Bernier, Bewley and
Tiffany, cosponsored by Representatives Kulp, Oldenburg, Sortwell,
Mursau, Skowronski and Edming. Referred to Committee on Transportation,
Veterans and Military Affairs.
SB171,1,2 1An Act to amend 348.15 (3) (bg) of the statutes; relating to: weight limits for
2certain vehicles transporting maple sap or syrup.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill creates special highway weight limits for certain vehicles transporting
maple sap or syrup.
Under current law, in general, no person may operate on a highway any vehicle
or combination of vehicles that exceeds certain statutory weight limits unless that
person obtains a permit issued by the Department of Transportation or a local
highway authority. Among the weight limitations are, generally, limitations on the
gross weight imposed on the highway by the wheels of any one axle or by consecutive
axles of the vehicle. In general, the maximum weight that may be imposed on the
highway by one axle is 20,000 pounds and the maximum weight that may be imposed
on the highway by two axles that are eight or fewer feet apart is 35,000 pounds.
Currently, special higher weight limits are provided for certain vehicles
transporting milk or other dairy supplies and products (dairy vehicles). Specifically,
for dairy vehicles, the maximum weight that may be imposed on the highway by one
axle is 21,000 pounds and the maximum weight that may be imposed on the highway
by two axles that are eight or fewer feet apart is 37,000 pounds. Also, for groups of
three or more consecutive axles more than nine feet apart on a dairy vehicle, the axles
may impose on the highway a weight of 2,000 pounds more than is allowed under
general rules. The total weight of the dairy vehicle, however, may not exceed 80,000
pounds.

This bill extends the special weight limits for dairy vehicles to vehicles
transporting maple sap or syrup from the point of collection or production to storage
or the primary market.
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:
SB171,1 1Section 1. 348.15 (3) (bg) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB171,2,152 348.15 (3) (bg) In the case of a vehicle or combination of vehicles transporting
3exclusively milk from the point of production to the primary market and the return
4of dairy supplies and dairy products from such primary market to the farm or
5transporting exclusively maple sap or maple syrup from the point of collection or
6production to storage or the primary market
, the gross weight imposed on the
7highway by the wheels of any one axle may not exceed 21,000 pounds or, for 2 axles
88 or less feet apart, 37,000 pounds or, for groups of 3 or more consecutive axles more
9than 9 feet apart, a weight of 2,000 pounds more than is shown in par. (c), but not to
10exceed 80,000 pounds. This paragraph does not apply to the transportation of milk
11or dairy supplies and dairy products on highways designated as part of the
national
12system of interstate and defense highways, except for the I 39 corridor and the I 41
13corridor. This paragraph does not apply to the transportation of maple sap or maple
14syrup on highways designated as part of the national system of interstate and
15defense highways.
SB171,2 16Section 2 . Nonstatutory provisions.
SB171,3,3
1(1) Exception to review by the department of transportation.
2Notwithstanding s. 13.096 (2), the department of transportation may not prepare a
3report on this bill under s. 13.096 (2) and (3).
SB171,3 4Section 3. Initial applicability.
SB171,3,65 (1) This act first applies to vehicles operated on the effective date of this
6subsection.
SB171,3,77 (End)
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