SB 189

Under current law, no person may operate on a highway any single vehicle with

an overall length in excess of 40 feet or any combination of two vehicles with an

overall length in excess of 65 feet, unless an exception applies or the person has a

permit to exceed these lengths. Subject to certain restrictions, the Department of

Transportation (DOT) may issue an annual or consecutive month permit to pipeline

companies or operators or public service corporations for transportation of poles,

pipe, girders, and similar materials and to companies and individuals hauling peeled

or unpeeled pole-length forest products used in its business (pole and pipe permit).

This bill eliminates the issuance by DOT of pole and pipe permits and

authorizes the operation of certain overlength vehicles without a permit. The bill

allows a person to operate, without a permit, a single vehicle with an overall length

not exceeding 60 feet, and a two-vehicle combination with an overall length not

exceeding 120 feet, if the vehicle or vehicle combination is used by a pipeline company

or operator, public service corporation, municipal utility, or public utility cooperative

(collectively a "utility"), or by a motor carrier operating under contract with a utility,

for transportation of poles, pipe, girders, and similar materials.