SB451: Bill Text

LRB-4035/2

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1995 - 1996 LEGISLATURE

1995 Senate BILL 451

December 13, 1995 - Introduced by Senator Moen, by request of Bruce Willett of Eau Claire. Referred to Committee on Transportation, Agriculture and Local Affairs.

SB451,1,4 An Act to renumber and amend 346.57 (4) (gm); to amend 346.57 (6) (b) and 349.11 (2) (a); and to create 346.57 (4) (gm) 2. and 346.57 (6) (c) of the statutes; relating to: establishing a speed limit of 55 miles per hour for certain vehicle combinations on freeways with a maximum speed limit of 65 miles per hour.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Current law provides for a speed limit of 65 miles per hour on any freeway for which a speed limit of 65 miles per hour is provided under federal law, as determined by the department of transportation (DOT). A person who violates the 65 miles per hour speed limit may be required to forfeit not less than $50 nor more than $300.

This bill establishes, on freeways with a 65 miles per hour speed limit, a speed limit of 55 miles per hour for any commercial motor vehicle that is a tractor-semitrailer combination, a double bottom (a 3-vehicle combination) or an automobile haulaway (a 2-vehicle combination used to transport operational motor vehicles). The speed limit of 55 miles per hour does not apply unless DOT posts signs indicating that the limit applies to such vehicles. A person who violates this 55 miles per hour speed limit may be required to forfeit not less than $50 nor more than $300.

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:

SB451, s. 1 Section 1. 346.57 (4) (gm) of the statutes is renumbered 346.57 (4) (gm) 1. and amended to read:

SB451,2,4 346.57 (4) (gm) 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., 65 miles per hour on any freeway for which a limit of 65 miles per hour is provided under federal law, as determined by the department. To the extent so determined, the limit under this paragraph subdivision applies to USH 51 and STH 78.

SB451, s. 2 Section 2. 346.57 (4) (gm) 2. of the statutes is created to read:

SB451,2,8 346.57 (4) (gm) 2. On any freeway for which the limit under subd. 1. applies, 55 miles per hour for any commercial motor vehicle that is a tractor-semitrailer combination, a double bottom or an automobile haulaway.

SB451, s. 3 Section 3. 346.57 (6) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB451,2,14 346.57 (6) (b) The limit specified under sub. (4) (gm) 1. is not effective unless official signs giving notice of the limit have been erected by the department. The department may not erect or maintain such signs unless the department determines that the limit under sub. (4) (gm) 1. is in conformity with the applicable national maximum speed limit.

SB451, s. 4 Section 4. 346.57 (6) (c) of the statutes is created to read:

SB451,2,17 346.57 (6) (c) The limit specified under sub. (4) (gm) 2. is not effective unless official signs giving notice of the limit have been erected by the department.

SB451, s. 5 Section 5. 349.11 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB451,2,20 349.11 (2) (a) Declare a speed limit which is in excess of the limits stated in s. 346.57 (4) (h), except as provided in s. 346.57 (4) (gm) 1.; or

SB451,2,21 (End)