Register

Friday   4802 Sheboygan Ave., Rm. 421

10:00 a.m   Madison, WI

The hearing locations are accessible to persons with disabilities.

The public record on this proposed rule making will be held open until close of business, May 21, 1997, to permit the submission of written comments from persons unable to attend the public hearing or who wish to supplement testimony offered at the hearing. Any such written comments should be submitted to Mark Morrison, Traffic & Safety Engineer, Room 601, P. O. Box 7916, Madison, Wisconsin, 53707-7916.

NOTE: This hearing is being conducted at 2 locations in order to give the public greater opportunity to present its facts, arguments and opinions. The records from both locations will be combined into a single Hearing Record on which the Department will base its decisions. Individuals need only attend one of the public hearings for their testimony to be fully considered.

Analysis Prepared by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation

STATUTORY AUTHORITY:  ss. 85.16(1) and 348.07(4)

STATUTE INTERPRETED:   s. 348.07(4)

This proposed rule amends Trans 276.07(10), (11) and (16) Wisconsin Administrative Code, to add three segments of highway to the designated highway system established under s. 348.07(4), Stats. The actual highway segments that this proposed rule adds to the designated highway system are:

Hwy	From	To
STH 49	USH 10 in Waupaca	STH 161 in Iola
STH 54	I-43 in Green Bay	STH 42 in Algoma
STH 78	USH 12 S. of Sauk City	USH 14 E. of Mazomanie

This rule also amends Trans 276.07(8) and (16), Wisconsin Administrative Code, to reflect the designation of STH 78 and USH 51 as IH 39. These highway segments are currently designated highways so the change in wording does not change the designated highway system.

Note: The proposed 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.

The long trucks to which this proposed 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, 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.

Note: 45-foot buses are allowed on the National Network and Interstate system by Federal law. Section 40006(b) of the Intermodal Surface Transportation efficiency Act of 1991.

The effect of this proposed 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 highways. 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 segments. 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 segments provided neither trailer is longer than 28 feet, 6 inches. Semitrailers up to 53 feet long may also be operated on these highway segments 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.

Fiscal Impact

The Department estimates that there will be no fiscal impact on the liabilities or revenues of any county, city, village, town, school district, technical college district, sewerage district, or any federally-recognized tribes or bands.

Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

The provisions of this proposed rule adding highway segments 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.

Copies of Rule and Contact Person

Copies of this proposed rule are available upon request, without cost, at the office of the State Traffic Engineer, P. O. Box 7916, Madison, Wisconsin, 53707, telephone [phone]. For questions about this proposed rule making, please call Mark Morrison, Traffic & Safety Engineer at [phone]. Alternate formats of the proposed rule will be provided to individuals at their request.

Notice of Hearings

Transportation

Notice is hereby given that pursuant to ss. 85.16(1), 110.075, 227.10(1) and 347.35(3)(b), Stats., and interpreting ss. 342.07(2), 342.30 and ch. 347, Stats., the Department of Transportation will hold public hearings at the following locations to consider the amendment of chapter Trans 305, Wisconsin Administrative Code, relating to standards for vehicle equipment:

Hearing Information

June 3, 1997   Hill Farms State Trans. Bldg.

Tuesday   4802 Sheboygan Ave., Room 551

1:00 p.m.   Madison, WI

June 3, 1997   Hill Farms State Trans. Bldg.

Tuesday   4802 Sheboygan Ave., Room 421

7:00 p.m.   Madison, WI

The public record on this proposed rule making will be held open until June 10, 1997, to permit the submission of written comments from persons unable to attend the public hearing or who wish to supplement testimony offered at the hearing. Any such comments should be submitted to Major Michael Moore, Wisconsin State Patrol Academy, 800 South 10th Avenue, Sparta, WI 54656-5164.

Parking for persons with disabilities and an accessible entrance are available on the north and south sides of the Hill Farms State Transportation Building.

Analysis Prepared by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: ss. 85.16(1), 110.075, 227.10(1) and 347.35(3)(b)

STATUTES INTERPRETED: ss. 342.07(2), 342.30 and ch. 347

General Summary of Proposed Rule.

This rule making proposes to make minor changes in the Department's rule on motor vehicle equipment. The rule was renumbered ch. Trans 305 and recreated in 1996. The proposed changes correct oversights in the 1996 rule making and make certain sections of ch. Trans 305 more understandable and easier to enforce. Section 1 clarifies that vehicles brought to Wisconsin from other jurisdictions need to meet Wisconsin equipment requirements for vehicles of the same model year. Sections 2 and 4 delete registered weight from the definitions of heavy and light truck so that small trucks registered with farm plates are not unnecessarily subjected to heavy vehicle equipment requirements. Section 6 makes clear that homemade and reconstructed trailers and semitrailers need not be inspected prior to titling or registration. Section 9 corrects an oversight by providing that auxiliary lights must be properly aimed. This will provide the same protection as similar restrictions applicable to headlamps. Section 10 eliminates the requirement that auxiliary off-road lamps be covered when a vehicle so equipped is operated on a highway.

As it is difficult to determine if older vehicles were originally manufactured with certain types of equipment, this rule proposes to make mandatory equipment requirements apply either to all vehicles or beginning with certain specified model years for clarity and ease of enforcement. This is accomplished in Sections 11, 14-18, 29 and 30.

Section 13 provides that directional signals may not be covered or obscured which is consistent with restrictions applicable to tail and stop lamps and 1995 Wis. Act 346. Section 16 clarifies that when a camper top or similar covering makes a truck 80 or more inches wide, high mounted stop lamps are not required. Section 19 clarifies that doors, hoods and trunks must be capable of being opened and securely closed, but that no particular type of opening and closing device is mandated. The section also makes the restriction on projecting parts on hoods more enforceable by providing an objective point from which measurements should be made. Sections 22 and 23 simplify the provisions on fuel tanks by providing that the installation of fuel tanks must be in accordance with industry standards. Section 24 amends the provision relating to maintenance of airbags to be consistent with federal regulations which permit deactivation of airbags in certain circumstances. Section 28 deletes the provision which allowed cloudiness or etching beyond 2 inches from the edge of the rear window if the vehicle had two outside rearview mirrors.

Sections 32 to 39 make modifications to the equipment requirements for heavy trucks. Section 32 corrects an error in a cross reference; section 33 makes additional equipment provisions from subchapter II applicable to heavy trucks; section 35 provides a delayed effective date for new requirements concerning the location of axle control valves at the request of the Wisconsin Truck Dealers Association; section 37 makes the brake requirements of s. Trans 305.51 applicable to heavy trucks as well as trailers and semitrailers; and section 39 makes the requirements for suspension systems contained in s. Trans 305.57 applicable to heavy trucks as well as trailers and semitrailers.

Fiscal Impact

The Department estimates that there will be no fiscal impact on the liabilities or revenues of any county, city, village, town, school district, technical college district, sewerage district, or any federally-recognized tribes or bands. The Department also anticipates no fiscal impact on state funds.

Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

This proposed rule will have no adverse impact on small businesses.

Copies of Proposed Rule

Copies of the proposed rule may be obtained upon request, without cost, by writing to Major Michael Moore, Wisconsin State Patrol Academy, 800 South 10th Avenue, Sparta, WI 54656-5164, or by calling [phone]; or contact Frieda Andreas, Division of State Patrol, by calling [phone]. Alternate formats of the proposed rule will be provided to individuals at their request.

Notice of Hearings

Workforce Development

(Economic Support, Chs. DWD 11--)

Notice is given that pursuant to ss. 49.143 to 49.157, 49.26 (1) (h) 1. as. and 1m. c., and 103.005 (1), Stats., the Department of Workforce Development proposes to hold public hearings to consider the creation of rules under chs. DWD 12 and 56, Wis. Adm. Code, relating to Wisconsin Works (W-2).

Hearing Information

The public hearings are scheduled as follows:

May 21, 1997   Room 103, Main Building

Wednesday   620 W. Clairemont Ave.

10:30 a.m. to   EAU CLAIRE, WI

1:30 p.m.

May 28, 1997   Cooley Auditorium

Wednesday   Main Building

9:00 a.m. to   1015 North 6th St.

12:00 p.m. (noon)   MILWAUKEE, WI

  (Public parking structures

  are located directly across

  from the Main Building in

  the 1000 block of North
  6th Street, and at 1025 North

  8th Street.)

These hearings are held in accessible facilities. If you have special needs or circumstances which may make communication or accessibility difficult at the hearing, please call [phone] or, if you are deaf or hard of hearing [phone], at least 10 days prior to the hearing date. Accommodations such as interpreters, English translators or materials in audio tape format will, to the fullest extent possible, be made available on request by a person with a disability.

Copies of the Rules

A copy of the rules to be considered may be obtained from:

Division of Economic Support

Telephone [phone]

State Department of Workforce Development

1 West Wilson

P.O. Box 7935

Madison, WI 53707-7935

or at the appointed times and places the hearings are held.

Written Comments

Interested people are invited to appear at the hearings and will be afforded the opportunity of making oral presentations of their positions. People making oral presentations are requested to submit their facts, views and suggested rewording in writing. Written comments from people unable to attend the public hearing, or who wish to supplement testimony offered at the hearings may be submitted no later than Wednesday, June 4, 1997, for inclusion in the summary of public comments submitted to the Legislature. Any such comments should be submitted to Nancy Ritter at the address noted above. Written comments will be given the same consideration as testimony presented at the hearings. People submitting comments will not receive individual responses.