AB501: Bill Text

LRB-2679/3

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2003 - 2004 LEGISLATURE

2003 Assembly BILL 501

September 8, 2003 - Introduced by Representatives Kerkman, Gunderson, Towns, Ladwig, Hundertmark, Olsen, Van Roy and LeMahieu, cosponsored by Senators Zien and A. Lasee. Referred to Committee on Transportation.

AB501,1,3 An Act to amend 348.05 (2) (i) and 348.07 (2) (c) of the statutes; relating to: the maximum permissible length and width of motor homes and recreational vehicles operated without a permit.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, no person may operate upon a highway any vehicle or combination of vehicles that exceeds certain statutory limits on size, weight, or load unless that person possesses a permit issued by the Department of Transportation (DOT). Current law generally prohibits a person from operating on a highway, without a permit, any vehicle having a total outside width in excess of 8 feet 6 inches. An exception to this prohibition allows a person to operate without a permit a mobile home with a "realistic body width" that does not exceed 8 feet 6 inches. Current law defines a "mobile home" as a vehicle, with walls of rigid uncollapsible construction, designed to be towed as a single unit or in sections upon a highway and equipped and used, or intended to be used, primarily for human habitation. A "recreational vehicle" is defined as a mobile home that is no more than 45 feet long. A "motor home" is defined as a motor vehicle designed to be operated upon a highway for use as a temporary or recreational dwelling and having the same internal characteristics and equipment as a mobile home.

This bill allows a person to operate without a permit a mobile home, motor home, or recreational vehicle that has a realistic body width not exceeding 8 feet 6 inches and a motor home or recreational vehicle used only as a temporary or recreational dwelling that has an appurtenance, such as a retracted awning, related to the structure of the vehicle and installed upon the vehicle by a manufacturer or dealer that extends up to an additional 4 inches on the driver side and 6 inches on the passenger side of the vehicle provided that, if the appurtenance extends to the maximum extent, it is located at a height of at least eight feet.

Current law generally prohibits a person from operating on a highway, without a permit, any single vehicle with an overall length in excess of 40 feet. An exception to this prohibition allows a person to operate without a permit a mobile home that does not exceed 45 feet in overall length.

This bill allows a person to operate without a permit a motor home that does not exceed 45 feet in overall length. This has the effect of increasing the maximum length limit for motor homes, without a permit, from 40 feet to 45 feet.

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:

AB501, s. 1 Section 1. 348.05 (2) (i) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB501,2,11 348.05 (2) (i) A realistic body width of 8 feet 6 inches for mobile homes, including recreational vehicles, and motor homes, and, for motor homes and for recreational vehicles used only as temporary or recreational dwellings, up to an additional 4 inches on the left side and 6 inches on the right side of such vehicles for appurtenances provided that, if any appurtenance extends the maximum 4 inches on the left side or 6 inches on the right side, the appurtenance is located at a height of not less than 8 feet from the ground. In this paragraph, "appurtenance" means any mechanical or other device, including retracted awning assemblies, vent grates, electrical outlet covers, and door handles, that is related to the structure of the vehicle and is installed upon the vehicle by a manufacturer or dealer.

AB501, s. 2 Section 2. 348.07 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB501,2,13 348.07 (2) (c) Forty five feet for mobile homes, motor homes, and motor buses.

AB501, s. 3 Section 3. Initial applicability.

AB501,3,3 (1) This act first applies to violations under sections 348.05 (1) and 348.07 (1) of the statutes occurring on the effective date of this subsection, but does not preclude the counting of other violations as prior violations for sentencing a person.

AB501,3,4 (End)