2015 WISCONSIN ACT 44
An Act to renumber 348.16 (3);
to renumber and amend 349.16 (3); and to create 348.16 (3) (b) and 349.16 (3) (c) of the statutes; relating to: exempting certain vehicles of utilities from class B highway weight limitations and certain special or seasonal weight limitations.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
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Section
1. 348.16 (3) of the statutes is renumbered 348.16 (3) (a).
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2. 348.16 (3) (b) of the statutes is created to read:
348.16 (3) (b) Subsection (2) does not apply to a vehicle operated by or at the direction of a public utility, as defined in s. 196.01 (5), a telecommunications provider, as defined in s. 196.01 (8p), or a cooperative association organized under ch. 185 for the purpose of producing or furnishing heat, light, power, or water to its members, that is being operated for the purpose of responding to a service interruption.
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3. 349.16 (3) of the statutes is renumbered 349.16 (3) (a) and amended to read:
349.16 (3) (a) The authority in charge of the maintenance of the highway may exempt vehicles carrying certain commodities specified by the authority or which are used to perform certain services specified by the authority from the special weight limitations which are imposed under sub. (1) (a), or may set different weight limitations than those imposed under sub. (1) (a) for vehicles carrying those commodities or which are used to perform those services, if such the exemption or limitation is reasonable and necessary to promote the public health, safety, and welfare.
(b) The authority in charge of the maintenance of the highway shall exempt from the special or seasonal weight limitations imposed under sub. (1) (a) a vehicle that is used to transport material pumped from a septic or holding tank if, because of health concerns, material needs to be removed from a septic or holding tank within 24 hours after the vehicle owner or operator is notified and if the vehicle is operated for the purpose of emptying the septic or holding tank and disposing of its contents and is operated on a route that minimizes travel on highways subject to weight limitations imposed under sub. (1) (a). Within 72 hours after operating a vehicle that transported material pumped from a septic or holding tank and that exceeded special or seasonal weight limitations as authorized by this subsection paragraph, the owner or operator of the vehicle shall notify the authority in charge of maintenance of the highways over which the vehicle was operated.
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4. 349.16 (3) (c) of the statutes is created to read:
349.16 (3) (c) The authority in charge of the maintenance of the highway shall exempt from the special or seasonal weight limitations imposed under sub. (1) (a) a vehicle operated by or at the direction of a public utility, as defined in s. 196.01 (5), a telecommunications provider, as defined in s. 196.01 (8p), or a cooperative association organized under ch. 185 for the purpose of producing or furnishing heat, light, power, or water to its members, that is being operated for the purpose of responding to a service interruption.
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5.
Nonstatutory provisions.
(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.
