AB272: Bill Text

LRB-2694/1

ZDW:ahe

2017 - 2018 LEGISLATURE

2017 Assembly BILL 272

April 24, 2017 - Introduced by Representatives Spiros, Ripp, Krug, Kulp and Mursau, cosponsored by Senators Petrowski, Cowles, Marklein and Olsen. Referred to Committee on Transportation.

AB272,1,3 An Act to amend 348.15 (3) (f) 2.; and to create 348.15 (3) (h) of the statutes; relating to: weight limit exceptions for vehicles equipped with idle reduction technology or natural gas fuel systems.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill provides that heavy-duty vehicles with idle reduction technology and vehicles that operate on natural gas may exceed certain weight limits.

Under current law, with limited exceptions, no person may operate on a highway any vehicle or combination of vehicles that exceeds certain statutory weight limits unless the person obtains a permit issued by the Department of Transportation or a local authority.

Under current law, a heavy-duty vehicle equipped with idle reduction technology may exceed statutory weight limits by 400 pounds or the weight of the idle reduction technology, whichever is less. This bill increases the amount by which these vehicles may exceed statutory weight limits to 550 pounds. This bill also provides that vehicles fueled primarily by natural gas may exceed statutory weight limits by an amount equal to the difference between the weight of the natural gas fuel system and a comparable diesel fuel system or 2,000 pounds, whichever is less.

Under current law, for any bill that establishes an exception to vehicle weight limits, DOT must prepare a report containing specified information within six weeks after the bill is introduced. This bill directs DOT not to prepare a report for 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:

AB272,1 Section 1. 348.15 (3) (f) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB272,2,8 348.15 (3) (f) 2. Notwithstanding pars. (a) to (c) and (g), sub. (4), and ss. 348.17 and 349.16, and subject to subd. 3., in the case of a heavy-duty vehicle equipped with idle reduction technology, the gross weight of the vehicle, and the gross weight imposed on the highway by the wheels of any one axle or axle group of the vehicle, may exceed the applicable weight limitation specified in pars. (a) to (c) or (g) or posted as provided in s. 348.17 (1) by not more than 400 550 pounds or the weight of the idle reduction technology, whichever is less.

AB272,2 Section 2. 348.15 (3) (h) of the statutes is created to read:

AB272,2,17 348.15 (3) (h) Notwithstanding pars. (a) to (c) and (g), sub. (4), and ss. 348.17 and 349.16, in the case of a vehicle operated by an engine fueled primarily by natural gas, the gross weight of the vehicle, and the gross weight imposed on the highway by the wheels of any one axle or axle group of the vehicle, may exceed the applicable weight limitation specified in pars. (a) to (c) or (g) or posted as provided in s. 348.17 (1) by not more than 2,000 pounds, or an amount equal to the difference between the weight of the natural gas tank and fueling system and the weight of a comparable diesel tank and fueling system, whichever is less.

AB272,3 Section 3. Nonstatutory provisions.

AB272,3,2 (1) Exception to review by the department of transportation. Notwithstanding section 13.096 (2) of the statutes, for the treatment of section 348.15 (3) (f) 2. and (h) of the statutes, the department of transportation may not prepare a report under section 13.096 (2) and (3) of the statutes.

AB272,3,3 (End)