Operation of agricultural vehicles on highways. (FE)

The bill defines an agricultural CMV as a commercial motor vehicle to which all of the following apply: 1) the vehicle is substantially designed or equipped, or materially altered from its original construction, for the purpose of agricultural use;

2) the vehicle was designed and manufactured primarily for highway use and, with an exception, was manufactured to meet federal motor vehicle highway safety standards; 3) the vehicle is used exclusively in the conduct of agricultural operations;

and 4) the vehicle is directly engaged in harvesting farm products, directly applies fertilizer, spray, or seeds to a farm field, or distributes feed to livestock. However, this definition of an agricultural CMV applies only for a period of approximately 18 months after the bill's effective date.

Under current law, with limited exceptions, no person may operate on a highway any vehicle or combination of vehicles that exceeds certain statutory limits on size, weight, or load unless that person obtains a permit issued by the Department of Transportation (DOT) or a local highway authority. Current law imposes certain weight limitations on vehicles and vehicle combinations, including limitations based on the number and spacing of axles. Certain exceptions allow vehicles or vehicle combinations to operate without a permit at weights higher than the general statutory weight limitations.

Also under current law, DOT or a local highway authority may impose special weight limits on highways that, because of weakness of the roadbed due to deterioration or climatic conditions or other special or temporary conditions, would likely be seriously damaged or destroyed in the absence of the special limits. If special weight limits are imposed, the limits must be posted by highway signs along the affected highways. The special weight limits apply regardless of whether a vehicle is being operated under an overweight permit unless the permit expressly authorizes the special weight limits to be exceeded.

Current law authorizes local authorities to designate highways under their jurisdiction as class "B" highways. With limited exceptions, the maximum gross weight and per-axle vehicle weight permitted for vehicles on a class "B" highway is 60 percent of the weight allowed by statute if the vehicle were operating on a highway that is not designated as a class "B" highway.

This bill generally eliminates the statutory per-axle weight limit, and increases the gross weight limit, for implements of husbandry, including agricultural CMVs. Under the bill, the gross weight for an implement of husbandry operated on a highway without a permit may not exceed 92,000 pounds. However, the elimination of the per-axle weight limit and the increased gross weight limit do not apply on interstate highways or where a highway is posted with special weight limits. Also under the bill, lower weight limits for class "B" highways do not apply to implements of husbandry. However, all of these provisions in the bill relating to changes in weight limits for implements of husbandry apply only for a period of approximately 18 months after the bill's effective date.

Under the bill, because an agricultural CMV is an implement of husbandry, various provisions of current law that apply to implements of husbandry also apply to agricultural CMVs, including the following:

1. An agricultural CMV is exempt from motor vehicle registration with DOT.

2. There is no width limitation for an agricultural CMV temporarily operated on a highway in the course of performance of its work.

3. There is no length limitation for an agricultural CMV that is a single vehicle or two-vehicle combination and that is temporarily operated on a highway.

4. There is no height limitation for an agricultural CMV temporarily operated on a highway.

However, all of the provisions in the bill relating to agricultural CMVs apply only for a period of approximately 18 months after the bill's effective date.

Under current law, if any bill introduced in either house of the legislature directly or indirectly establishes an exception to vehicle weight limitations, 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.