SB417: Bill Text

LRB-3279/1

ARG:jld&emw

2015 - 2016 LEGISLATURE

2015 Senate BILL 417

December 3, 2015 - Introduced by Senators Petrowski and Tiffany, cosponsored by Representatives Mursau, Czaja, Ripp, Jarchow, A. Ott, R. Brooks, E. Brooks, Schraa, Allen and Kulp. Referred to Committee on Transportation and Veterans Affairs.

SB417,1,3 An Act to create 348.05 (2) (e), 348.15 (10) and 348.16 (3) (c) of the statutes; relating to: the width and weight limits of certain motor vehicles operated on a highway.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill creates vehicle weight and width exceptions allowing limited operation on the highway of certain logging vehicles without limitation on weight and with a width of up to 12 feet.

Under current law, unless an exception applies, no person may operate on a highway, without a permit, any vehicle that exceeds certain statutory size or weight limits. Unless an exception applies, a person may not, without a permit, operate on a highway any vehicle having a total width in excess of eight feet six inches. Statutory weight limits depend in part on the type and configuration of the vehicle.

This bill creates vehicle weight and width exceptions for skidders, forwarders, harvesters, and wheeled feller bunchers operated for logging purposes and operated on the highway for a distance of 0.5 miles or less under which these vehicles may be operated, without a permit, at a width of up to 12 feet and without limitation on weight if unladen.

Under current law, if any bill introduced in either house of the legislature directly or indirectly establishes an exception to vehicle weight limits, the Department of Transportation (DOT) must prepare a report, containing specified information, relating to the bill within six weeks after the bill is introduced and before any vote is taken on the bill.

This bill directs DOT not to prepare such a report on this bill.

For further information see the state and local 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:

SB417,1 Section 1. 348.05 (2) (e) of the statutes is created to read:

SB417,2,5 348.05 (2) (e) Twelve feet for skidders, forwarders, harvesters, and wheeled feller bunchers operated for logging purposes and operated on the highway for a distance of 0.5 miles or less. This paragraph does not apply on any highway that is a part of the national system of interstate and defense highways.

SB417,2 Section 2. 348.15 (10) of the statutes is created to read:

SB417,2,11 348.15 (10) (a) Notwithstanding sub. (3) (a), (b), and (c), but subject to par. (b), there is no weight limitation per wheel, axle, or group of axles, and no gross weight limitation, for skidders, forwarders, harvesters, and wheeled feller bunchers operated for logging purposes and operated unladen on the highway for a distance of 0.5 miles or less.

SB417,2,14 (b) Paragraph (a) does not apply on any highway that is posted with a weight limitation as provided in s. 348.17 (1) or that is a part of the national system of interstate and defense highways.

SB417,3 Section 3. 348.16 (3) (c) of the statutes is created to read:

SB417,2,18 348.16 (3) (c) Subsection (2) does not apply to the operation of any skidder, forwarder, harvester, or wheeled feller buncher under circumstances for which there is no weight limitation under s. 348.15 (10).

SB417,4 Section 4. Nonstatutory provisions.

SB417,3,3 (1) Notwithstanding section 13.096 (2) of the statutes, the department of transportation may not prepare a report on this bill under section 13.096 (2) and (3) of the statutes.

SB417,5 Section 5. Initial applicability.

SB417,3,6 (1) This act first applies to vehicles operated on the effective date of this subsection.

SB417,3,7 (End)