AB115: Bill Text

LRB-1873/1

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2005 - 2006 LEGISLATURE

2005 Assembly BILL 115

February 22, 2005 - Introduced by Representatives Suder, Towns, Hines, Van Roy, Gronemus, Gunderson, F. Lasee, Owens, Pettis, Musser, Ballweg, Townsend, Pridemore, Krawczyk and Stone, cosponsored by Senators Zien, Brown, Olsen, Harsdorf, A. Lasee and Reynolds. Referred to Committee on Transportation.

AB115,1,2 An Act to amend 348.27 (7m) of the statutes; relating to: operating certain 3-vehicle combinations on the highways.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Current law generally prohibits any person from driving a vehicle on a highway while towing two or more vehicles unless the driver possesses a permit issued by the Department of Transportation (DOT). DOT may issue annual or consecutive month permits for certain three-vehicle combinations that consist of the following vehicles:

1. A towing vehicle.

2. A mobile home or camping trailer.

3. A trailer for a personal recreational vehicle.

Under current law, the overall length of the combination of vehicles may not exceed 60 feet and, unless not structurally possible, the lighter of the towed vehicles must occupy the last position in the three-vehicle combination. The towed vehicles must be for the use of the driver of the towing vehicle. A three-vehicle combination may not be operated if specified highway or weather conditions are present.

This bill increases the maximum permissible overall length of the combination of vehicles from 60 feet to 65 feet if the middle vehicle in the three-vehicle combination is equipped with brakes.

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:

AB115, s. 1 Section 1. 348.27 (7m) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB115,2,19 348.27 (7m) The department may issue an annual or consecutive month permit for the movement of a 3-vehicle combination consisting of a towing vehicle and, in order by weight, with the lighter of the towed vehicles as the 3rd vehicle in the 3-vehicle combination unless not structurally possible, a mobile home or camping trailer, and a trailer for a personal recreational vehicle, if the overall length of the combination of vehicles does not exceed 60 feet or, if the 2nd vehicle in the 3-vehicle combination is equipped with brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and hold it, does not exceed 65 feet, and the towed vehicles are for the use of the operator of the towing vehicle. A permit under this subsection may be issued only by the department, regardless of the highways to be used. The department may designate the routes that may be used by the permittee. The fee for an annual permit under this subsection is $40. The fee for a consecutive month permit under this subsection shall be determined in the manner provided in s. 348.25 (8) (bm), except that the $40 fee for an annual permit under this subsection shall be used in the computation. No 3-vehicle combination may operate under this paragraph if highway or weather conditions include heavy snow, freezing rain, icy roads, high winds, limited visibility, or upon a highway that is closed or partially closed by the department due to highway conditions.

AB115, s. 2 Section 2. Initial applicability.

AB115,2,22 (1) This act first applies to 3-vehicle combinations operated on the effective date of this subsection.

AB115,2,23 (End)