AB340: Bill Text

The bill establishes certain visibility and mounting standards for all of these required lighting and visibility marking devices, and also requires DOT to establish by rule design, type, or performance standards for these lighting and visibility marking devices, consistent with standards established by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers or the Society of Automotive Engineers or both. All lighting and visibility marking devices required under the bill must comply with these standards established by DOT. The bill requires DOT, within approximately three months, to submit proposed rules to administer the provisions of the bill to the Legislative Council Staff and to promulgate emergency rules to administer the provisions of the bill until the proposed rules submitted to the Legislative Council Staff become final.

The bill also creates an exception to these lighting requirements allowing an agricultural vehicle or agricultural implement manufactured on or after approximately one year after the bill's effective date that is subject to a lighting system failure to be operated, towed, or transported to the nearest place of repair if the vehicle or implement is accompanied by at least two escort vehicles displaying hazard warning lamps. The lighting requirements under the bill also do not apply to an all-terrain vehicle being used as an implement of husbandry, for which current law provides separate lighting requirements.

The bill also allows any agricultural vehicle or agricultural implement (not limited to those manufactured on or after approximately one year after the bill's effective date) to be equipped with an amber strobe light. The bill prohibits a person from operating an agricultural vehicle manufactured on or after approximately one year after the bill's effective date with lighted spotlamps unless the spotlamps are pointed toward the road surface and no glaring light is projected into the eyes of other motorists.

Also under current law, no person in the business of selling "farm equipment," defined as a tractor or other machinery used in the business of farming, (dealer) may sell farm equipment that can be operated on a highway unless the farm equipment is equipped with all required lights and reflectors and with a slow moving vehicle emblem. This bill adds "visibility material" to "lights" and "reflectors" to reflect the new requirements for farm equipment manufactured on or after approximately one year after the bill's effective date.

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:

AB340, s. 1 Section 1. 100.47 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB340,5,4 100.47 (2) (c) Lights and, reflectors, and visibility material meeting the applicable requirements under ch. 347, if farm equipment that can be operated on a highway.

AB340, s. 2 Section 2. 347.06 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB340,5,8 347.06 (3) The operator of a vehicle shall keep all lamps and, reflectors, and visibility material with which such vehicle is required to be equipped reasonably clean and in proper working condition at all times.

AB340, s. 3 Section 3. 347.21 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB340,6,2 347.21 (1) No Except as provided in s. 347.225, no person shall may operate on a highway during hours of darkness any train of vehicles authorized by s. 348.08 (1) (d) unless there is mounted on each side of every vehicle in such train, including farm tractors and implements of husbandry, at least one lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the side of the vehicle on which mounted or, in lieu thereof, at least one red reflector or, notwithstanding s. 347.245, one slow moving vehicle emblem visible from all distances within 500 feet to 50 feet of the side of the vehicle when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlamps. If the train of vehicles authorized by s. 348.08 (1) (d) consists exclusively of agricultural vehicles, as defined in s. 347.225 (1) (b), or agricultural implements, as defined in s. 347.225 (1) (a), or both, that were manufactured on or after the first day of the 13th month beginning after the effective date of this subsection .... [revisor inserts date], it shall comply with the requirements of s. 347.225.

AB340,6,13 (1m) No Except as provided in s. 347.225, no person shall may operate on a highway during hours of darkness any train of vehicles authorized by s. 348.08 (1) (b) unless there is mounted on each side of every vehicle in such train, including farm tractors and implements of husbandry, at least one lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the side of the vehicle on which mounted or, in lieu thereof, at least one red reflector visible from all distances within 500 feet to 50 feet of the side of the vehicle when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlamps. If all vehicles in the train of agricultural vehicles authorized by s. 348.08 (1) (b) were manufactured on or after the first day of the 13th month beginning after the effective date of this subsection .... [revisor inserts date], the train of agricultural vehicles shall comply with the requirements of s. 347.225.

AB340,6,21 (2) No Except as provided in s. 347.255, no person shall may operate on a highway, at times other than hours of darkness, any train of agricultural vehicles authorized by s. 348.08 (1) (b) unless there is displayed a red flag at least 12 inches square on each rear corner of the rearmost vehicle in the train. If all vehicles in the train of agricultural vehicles authorized by s. 348.08 (1) (b) were manufactured on or after the first day of the 13th month beginning after the effective date of this subsection .... [revisor inserts date], the train of agricultural vehicles shall comply with the requirements of s. 347.225.

AB340, s. 6 Section 6. 347.22 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB340,7,7 347.22 Lamps on farm tractors and self-propelled farm implements. (1) No Except as provided in ss. 347.225 and 347.27 (1m), no person shall may operate or park a farm tractor or self-propelled farm implement upon a highway during hours of darkness unless such tractor or implement carries the lighted headlamps and tail lamps which would be required of other motor vehicles under similar circumstances. If the farm tractor or self-propelled farm implement is an agricultural implement, as defined in s. 347.225 (1) (a), or agricultural vehicle, as defined in s. 347.225 (1) (b), that was manufactured on or after the first day of the 13th month beginning after the effective date of this subsection .... [revisor inserts date], it shall comply with the requirements of ss. 347.225 and 347.27 (1m).

AB340,7,11 (2) No Except as provided in ss. 347.225 and 347.27, no person shall may operate or park a farm tractor or self-propelled farm implement upon a highway during hours of darkness with any lamp thereon showing any light to the rear other than red in color.

AB340, s. 4 Section 4. 347.225 of the statutes is created to read:

AB340,7,14 347.225 Lamps and reflectors on agricultural vehicles and agricultural implements. (1) In this section:

AB340,7,18 (a) "Agricultural implement" means a farm implement or an implement of husbandry, other than a trailer-mounted bulk liquid fertilizer container, that is not self-propelled and that, to accomplish its purpose, must be towed by or mounted on a motor vehicle.

AB340,7,20 (b) "Agricultural vehicle" means a farm tractor, self-propelled implement of husbandry, or self-propelled farm implement.

AB340,7,22 (bm) "Own" includes, with respect to any agricultural vehicle or agricultural implement, the leasing of the vehicle or implement.

AB340,7,24 (c) "Tow" includes, with respect to an agricultural implement, operating a vehicle to which the implement is attached, whether on the front or rear.

AB340,8,2 (d) "Towing vehicle" includes a vehicle to which an agricultural implement is attached.

AB340,8,6 (2) No person may operate an agricultural vehicle manufactured on or after the first day of the 13th month beginning after the effective date of this subsection .... [revisor inserts date], upon a highway unless the vehicle is equipped with all of the following:

AB340,8,12 (a) At least 2 headlamps that project a white light visible to the front from a distance of 500 feet, of sufficient intensity to render objects ahead visible, and mounted on the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable. The headlamps shall be so arranged and aimed that the headlamp beams are centered laterally and the headlamps, if multiple-beam, shall comply with the requirements specified in s. 347.10 (2).

AB340,8,18 (b) Two tail lamps mounted on the rear that emit a red light plainly visible to the rear from a distance of 500 feet. These lamps shall be mounted symmetrically from the center on each side of the rear of the vehicle, but not greater than 5 feet to the left or right of the vehicle center, shall be located on the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable, and shall be located at a height of not more than 10 feet nor less than 3.3 feet.

AB340,9,2 (c) At least 2 warning lamps that, when actuated, display simultaneous flashing amber lights visible to the front and to the rear having a flashrate of 60 to 85 per minute. These lamps shall be mounted so that 2 of the lamps are located on the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable and so that all of the lamps are as symmetrical as practicable and are located at a height of not more than 12 feet and not less than 3.3 feet. If the vehicle is more than 12 feet wide, these lamps shall be mounted so that at least one warning lamp on each side of the vehicle is not more than 16 inches from each extremity of the width of the vehicle.

AB340,9,9 (d) 1. At least 2 direction signal lamps showing to the front and to the rear, so as to indicate intention to turn right or left, which lamps shall be the same amber lamps as the warning lamps under par. (c). When actuated, these lamps shall indicate the intended direction of turning by flashing the light showing to the front and rear on the side toward which the turn is made at a flashrate of at least 20 more than the rate under par. (c) but not more than 110, and shall emit a steady amber light on the side opposite the side toward which the turn is made.

AB340,9,19 2. At least 2 auxiliary direction signal lamps, in addition to those required under subd. 1., showing to the rear that are mounted symmetrically from the center line on each side of the rear of the vehicle, located on the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable but not greater than 5 feet to the left or right of the vehicle center line, and located at a height of not more than 12 feet nor less than 3.3 feet. When actuated, these auxiliary direction signal lamps shall indicate the intended direction of turning by displaying, simultaneously with the flashing direction signal lamps under subd. 1., a flashing red or amber light visible to the rear on the side toward which the turn is made. The auxiliary direction signal lamp on the side opposite the side toward which the turn is made may light but may not flash.

AB340,9,23 (e) 1. Two red reflectors mounted on the rear of the vehicle in such a manner as to indicate as nearly as possible the extreme width of the vehicle. These reflectors may be incorporated with the tail lamps or as part of the visibility material described in subd. 2.

AB340,10,3 2. In addition to the reflectors required under subd. 1., if the vehicle is more than 12 feet wide, all of the following visibility material, which, for material visible to the rear, may incorporate any portion of the emblem identified in par. (f):

AB340,10,7 a. At least 2 strips of red reflective material, mounted so as to be visible to the rear, extending in a line as horizontally as practicable across the rear of the vehicle to not more than 16 inches from each extremity of the width of the vehicle, with the strips spaced as evenly as possible and not more than 6 feet between adjacent strips.

AB340,10,12 b. At least 2 strips of non-reflective red-orange fluorescent material, mounted so as to be visible to the rear, extending in a line as horizontally as practicable across the rear of the vehicle to not more than 25 inches from each extremity of the width of the vehicle, with the strips spaced as evenly as possible and not more than 6 feet between adjacent strips.

AB340,10,15 c. At least 2 strips of yellow reflective material, mounted so as to be visible to the front, extending to not more than 16 inches from each extremity of the width of the vehicle.

AB340,10,19 (f) If the vehicle is not towing an agricultural implement or is towing an agricultural implement that would not impair the visibility of a slow moving vehicle emblem mounted on the vehicle or is being towed by another vehicle, a slow moving vehicle emblem that complies with the requirements specified in s. 347.245.

AB340,10,24 (g) If the vehicle is equipped or designed to tow an agricultural implement requiring lighting devices under this section, at least one electrical device, mounted behind the rear axle and as near as practicable to the center line of the vehicle, sufficient to allow the utilization of any power source on the vehicle for activating any required lighting devices on the towed implement.

AB340,11,4 (3) No person may tow an agricultural implement manufactured on or after the first day of the 13th month beginning after the effective date of this subsection .... [revisor inserts date], upon a highway unless the implement is equipped with all of the following:

AB340,11,9 (a) If the agricultural implement extends beyond the left or right extremity of the width of the towing vehicle and is either more than 12 feet wide or extends more than 6 feet to the left or right of the center line of the towing vehicle, or if the implement extends more than 25 feet behind the hitch of the towing vehicle, all of the following lamps:

AB340,11,21 1. Two tail lamps showing to the rear and mounted as close to the rear as practicable that emit a red light plainly visible to the rear from a distance of 500 feet, except that, if the rear of the agricultural implement is less than 4 feet wide, the implement may be equipped with only one tail lamp. The tail lamps shall be mounted symmetrically from the center line on each side of the rear of the implement, but not less than 2 feet and not greater than 5 feet to the left or right of the implement center line except when an agricultural implement may under this subdivision be equipped with only one tail lamp and except that, on an agricultural implement that does not obscure the tail lamps of the towing vehicle, the tail lamps on the agricultural implement may be mounted more than 5 feet to the left or right of the implement center, and each tail lamp shall be located at a height of not more than 10 feet nor less than 3.3 feet.

AB340,12,15 2. At least 2 warning lamps that, when actuated, display simultaneous flashing amber lights having a flashrate of 60 to 85 per minute, that flash simultaneously with the warning lamps on the towing vehicle, and that are visible to the front and to the rear except that, if any warning lamp is required under this subdivision only because the agricultural implement obscures one or more of the warning lamps or clearance lamps of the towing vehicle, any warning lamp on the agricultural implement need only be visible from the direction in which the towing vehicle's warning lamp or clearance lamp is obscured and only one warning lamp is required on the implement if only one warning lamp or clearance lamp on the towing vehicle is obscured. Except when an agricultural implement may under this subdivision be equipped with only one warning lamp, these warning lamps shall be mounted so that 2 of the lamps are located on the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable and so that all of the lamps are as symmetrical as practicable. If the implement is more than 12 feet wide, these lamps shall be mounted so that at least one warning lamp on each side of the implement is not more than 16 inches from each extremity of the width of the implement, or, if only one lamp is required under this subdivision, the lamp shall be mounted not more than 16 inches from the extremity of the width of the implement. Any warning lamp required under this subdivision shall be located at a height of not more than 12 feet and not less than 3.3 feet.

AB340,12,23 3. At least 2 direction signal lamps showing to the front and to the rear, so as to indicate intention to turn right or left, which lamps, unless only one warning lamp is required under subd. 2., shall be the same amber lamps as the warning lamps under subd. 2. When actuated, these lamps shall indicate the intended direction of turning by flashing the light showing to the front and rear on the side toward which the turn is made at a flashrate of at least 20 more than the rate under subd. 2. but not more than 110, and shall emit a steady amber light on the side opposite the side toward which the turn is made.

AB340,13,8 4. At least 2 auxiliary direction signal lamps, in addition to those required under subd. 3., showing to the rear that are mounted symmetrically from the center line on each side of the rear of the implement, located on the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable but not less than 2 feet and not greater than 5 feet to the left or right of the implement center line, and located at a height of not more than 12 feet nor less than 3.3 feet. When actuated, these auxiliary lamps shall indicate the intended direction of turning by displaying, simultaneously with the flashing direction signal lamps under subd. 3., a flashing red or amber light visible to the rear on the side toward which the turn is made. The auxiliary lamp on the side opposite the side toward which the turn is made may light but may not flash.

AB340,13,11 (ad) If the agricultural implement obscures the visibility of any tail lamp on the towing vehicle when viewed from the driver's seat of a vehicle following, the lamps described under par. (a) 1.

AB340,13,14 (ag) If the agricultural implement obscures the visibility of any warning or clearance lamp on the towing vehicle when viewed from the driver's seat of a vehicle following, the lamps described under par. (a) 2.

AB340,13,17 (am) If the agricultural implement obscures the visibility of any directional signal lamp on the towing vehicle when viewed from the driver's seat of a vehicle following, the lamps described under par. (a) 3.

AB340,13,20 (ar) If the agricultural implement obscures the visibility of any auxiliary or clearance lamp on the towing vehicle when viewed from the driver's seat of a vehicle following, the lamps described under par. (a) 4.

AB340,13,24 (b) If the agricultural implement extends more than 4 feet to the left of the center line of the towing vehicle, at least one strip of yellow reflective material that is visible to the front and mounted so as to indicate, as nearly as practicable, the left extremity of the width of the agricultural implement.

AB340,14,5 (c) If the agricultural implement extends more than 4 feet to the left or right of the center line of the towing vehicle or more than 4 feet behind the hitch of the towing vehicle, at least 2 red reflectors that are visible to the rear and mounted so as to indicate, as nearly as practicable, the left and right extremities of the width of the agricultural implement.

AB340,14,11 (d) If the agricultural implement is more than 12 feet wide or extends more than 6 feet to the left or right of the center line of the towing vehicle, the material described in sub. (2) (e) 2. a. to c. mounted on the implement in the manner described in sub. (2) (e) 2. a. to c. except that, if the implement is towed to the front of the towing vehicle, the material described in sub. (2) (e) 2. a. and b. is not required on the implement for a distance of 4 feet on either side of the towing vehicle center line.

AB340,14,20 (e) If any agricultural implement or any combination of agricultural implements and towed agricultural vehicles extends more than 16.4 feet behind the hitch of the towing vehicle, the rearmost agricultural vehicle or agricultural implement shall be equipped with at least one slow moving vehicle emblem that complies with the requirements specified in s. 347.245 and at least 2 red reflectors that are visible to the rear and mounted as far to the rear as practicable, and all such implements or vehicles shall be equipped with strips of yellow reflective material, mounted so as to be visible on both sides and at intervals not greater than 16.4 feet as measured from the hitch.

AB340,14,25 (f) If agricultural implement requires lighting devices under this subsection, at least one electrical device located so that it can be readily connected to the electrical device on the towing vehicle described under sub. (2) (g) and sufficient to allow the utilization of any power source on the towing vehicle for activating any required lighting devices on the agricultural implement.

AB340,15,4 (h) Except when an agricultural implement does not impair the visibility of a slow moving vehicle emblem mounted on the towing vehicle in compliance with sub. (2) (f), a slow moving vehicle emblem that complies with the requirements specified in s. 347.245.

AB340,15,12 (4) No person may operate upon a highway an agricultural vehicle manufactured on or after the first day of the 13th month beginning after the effective date of this subsection .... [revisor inserts date], with any lighted spotlamp or auxiliary lamp projecting a beam of intensity greater than a headlamp unless each spotlamp or auxiliary lamp is set or adjusted so that the rays of light are projected directly upon the road surface at a distance not exceeding 150 feet directly in front or to the side of the vehicle and to the right of the center of the traveled roadway and so that no glaring light is projected into the eyes of an approaching driver.

AB340,15,20 (5) Notwithstanding ss. 347.04 and 347.06 and any other provision of this section, an agricultural vehicle or agricultural implement manufactured on or after the first day of the 13th month beginning after the effective date of this subsection .... [revisor inserts date], that is subject to a lighting system failure may be operated, towed, or transported upon a highway to the nearest place of repair if the vehicle or implement is accompanied by at least one motor vehicle other than a motorcycle within 295 feet to the front and to the rear that each display warning lamps described in s. 347.26 (7).

AB340,16,2 (6) Notwithstanding sub. (3) (a) 2. and (ag) and s. 347.06 (1), an agricultural implement manufactured on or after the first day of the 13th month beginning after the effective date of this subsection .... [revisor inserts date], that complies with all requirements under sub. (3) other than sub. (3) (a) 2. or (ag) may be towed upon a highway during hours of darkness by a vehicle that is not equipped to activate lamps required on the implement under sub. (3) (a) 2. or (ag) if the implement is equipped with all of the following and all of the following are lighted:

AB340,16,9 (a) At least 2 auxiliary lamps, which may be fixed or moveable, mounted on the extremities of the width of the implement, that otherwise meet the requirements for warning lamps specified in sub. (3) (a) 2. except the requirement that the lamp flash simultaneously with the warning lamps on the towing vehicle, except that, if the agricultural implement is not symmetrical, the implement may be equipped with one auxiliary lamp that meets the requirements specified in sub. (3) (a) 2. for circumstances when one lamp is permitted.

AB340,16,13 (b) If the agricultural implement obscures the visibility of any tail lamp on the towing vehicle when viewed from the driver's seat of a vehicle following, at least one auxiliary lamp, which may be fixed or moveable, that meets the requirements for tail lamps specified in sub. (3) (a) 1.

AB340,16,16 (7) In addition to any other lamp required under this section, an agricultural vehicle or agricultural implement may be equipped with a flashing, oscillating, or rotating amber light or a 360-degree flashing amber strobe light.

AB340,16,23 (8) The department shall establish by rule design, type, or performance standards for any lamp, reflector, or other lighting device or visibility material required under this section, and these standards shall comply with applicable standards established by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers or the Society of Automotive Engineers or both. Any lamp, reflector, or other lighting device or visibility material required under this section shall meet the design, type, or performance standards established by the department.

AB340, s. 5 Section 5. 347.24 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB340,17,2 347.24 (title) Lamps and reflectors on certain nonmotor vehicles and equipment.

AB340, s. 6 Section 6. 347.24 (1) (a) and (am) of the statutes are amended to read:

AB340,17,17 347.24 (1) (a) Except as provided under pars. par. (b) and (c) s. 347.225, no person may operate on a highway during hours of darkness any implement of husbandry or any other vehicle not specifically required by law to be equipped with lamps or other lighting devices unless such implement or vehicle is equipped with at least 2 lighted lamps or lanterns exhibiting a white light visible from a distance of 500 feet ahead and 2 lighted lamps or lanterns exhibiting a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear or, as an alternative to the red lamps or lanterns, 2 red reflectors mounted as specified in s. 347.18 and meeting the visibility requirements of s. 347.19 may be displayed on the rear of such vehicle or implement of husbandry. If the implement or vehicle is an agricultural implement, as defined in s. 347.225 (1) (a), or agricultural vehicle, as defined in s. 347.225 (1) (b), that was manufactured on or after the first day of the 13th month beginning after the effective date of this paragraph .... [revisor inserts date], it shall comply with the requirements of s. 347.225.

AB340,18,2 (am) No Except as provided in s. 347.225, no person may operate on a highway during hours of darkness any implement of husbandry that extends 4 feet or more to the left of the center line of its towing vehicle unless the implement is equipped with an amber reflector meeting the visibility requirements of s. 347.19 and mounted on the left side, facing forward, so as to mark the extreme width of the implement to drivers of oncoming vehicles. If the implement of husbandry is an agricultural implement, as defined in s. 347.225 (1) (a), or agricultural vehicle, as defined in s. 347.225 (1) (b), that was manufactured on or after the first day of the 13th month beginning after the effective date of this paragraph .... [revisor inserts date], it shall comply with the requirements of s. 347.225.

AB340, s. 7 Section 7. 347.24 (1) (c) of the statutes is renumbered 347.225 (9) and amended to read:

AB340,18,7 347.225 (9) An implement of husbandry which Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, an agricultural vehicle that is an all-terrain vehicle need only comply with the lamp requirements established under s. 23.33 (6).

AB340, s. 8 Section 8. 347.245 (1), (4) and (5) of the statutes are amended to read:

AB340,18,25 347.245 (1) After January 1, 1970, no person may operate on a highway, day or night, any vehicle or equipment, any animal-drawn vehicle, or any other machinery, including all road machinery, that usually travels at speeds of less than 25 miles per hour or any vehicle operated under a special restricted operator's license issued under s. 343.135, unless there is displayed on the most practicable visible rear area of the vehicle or combination of vehicles, a slow moving vehicle (SMV) emblem as described in and displayed as provided in sub. (2). Any towed vehicle or machine is exempt from this provision if the towing vehicle is visible from the rear and is in compliance with this section. All road machinery is excluded when it is engaged in actual construction or maintenance work either guarded by a flagman or clearly visible warning signs. Except as provided in s. ss. 347.21 (1) and 347.225, the requirement of the emblem shall be in addition to any lighting devices required or permitted by law. Mopeds and motor bicycles are excluded from the provisions of this section unless they are operated under a special restricted operator's license issued under s. 343.135. Electric personal assistive mobility devices are excluded from the provisions of this section. The SMV emblem need not be displayed on vehicles moving directly across the highway.

AB340,19,2 (4) Except as provided in s. ss. 347.21 (1) and 347.225, no person shall display such emblem on any vehicle or equipment not specified in sub. (1).

AB340,19,5 (5) This Except as provided in s. 347.225, this section does not apply to any vehicle or combination of vehicles to the left rear of which is attached a yellow or amber flashing light at least 4 inches in diameter.

AB340, s. 9 Section 9. 347.27 (1m) of the statutes is created to read:

AB340,19,14 347.27 (1m) No person may park or leave standing an agricultural vehicle, as defined in s. 347.225 (1) (b), or an agricultural implement, as defined in s. 347.225 (1) (a), that was manufactured on or after the first day of the 13th month beginning after the effective date of this subsection .... [revisor inserts date], whether attended or unattended, upon a roadway or the shoulder immediately adjacent thereto during hours of darkness unless the vehicle or implement is equipped as required under s. 347.225 and satisfies the requirements for other vehicles specified in subs. (1) and (2).

AB340, s. 10 Section 10. 347.27 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB340,19,21 347.27 (3) In this section, "vehicle" includes farm tractors and self-propelled farm implements, implements of husbandry, animal-drawn vehicles and road machinery, but not agricultural vehicles, as defined in s. 347.225 (1) (b), or agricultural implements, as defined in s. 347.225 (1) (a), that were manufactured on or after the first day of the 13th month beginning after the effective date of this subsection .... [revisor inserts date].

AB340, s. 11 Section 11. 348.08 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB340,20,3 348.08 (2) Whenever any train of agricultural vehicles is being operated under sub. (1) (b), the train shall be equipped, as applicable, as provided in s. 347.21 (1m) and (2) or 347.225. Whenever any train of agricultural vehicles is being operated under sub. (1) (d), the train shall be equipped, as applicable, as provided in s. 347.21 (1) and (2) or 347.225. The trailer hitches of a train of agricultural vehicles shall be of a positive nature so as to prevent accidental release.

AB340, s. 12 Section 12 . Nonstatutory provisions.

AB340,20,10 (1) The department of transportation shall submit in proposed form the rules required under section 347.225 (8) of the statutes, as created by this act, to the legislative council staff under section 227.15 (1) of the statutes no later than the first day of the 4th month beginning after the effective date of this subsection, unless the secretary of administration requires the department to prepare an economic impact report under section 227.137 of the statutes for the proposed rules.

AB340,20,23 (2) Using the emergency rules procedure under section 227.24 of the statutes, the department of transportation shall promulgate the rules required under section 347.225 (8) of the statutes, as created by this act, for purposes of implementing this act, for the period before the effective date of the rules submitted under subsection (1). The department shall promulgate these emergency rules no later than the first day of the 4th month beginning after the effective date of this subsection. Notwithstanding section 227.24 (1) (c) and (2) of the statutes, these emergency rules may remain in effect until July 1, 2009, or the date on which permanent rules take effect, whichever is sooner. Notwithstanding section 227.24 (1) (a) and (3) of the statutes, the department is not required to provide evidence that promulgating a rule under this subsection as an emergency rule is necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health, safety, or welfare and is not required to provide a finding of emergency for a rule promulgated under this subsection.

AB340, s. 13 Section 13. Effective dates. This act takes effect on the first day of the 4th month beginning after publication, except as follows:

AB340,21,2 (1) The treatment of section 347.225 (8) of the statutes and Section 12 (1 ) and (2) of this act take effect on the day after publication.

AB340,21,3 (End)