SB 501

Under current law, with limited exceptions, no person may operate upon a

highway any vehicle or combination of vehicles that exceeds certain statutory size

or weight limits unless the person obtains a permit issued by the Department of

Transportation (DOT) or a local authority, as applicable. The generally applicable

width limit on highways, without a permit, is 8 feet 6 inches, subject to numerous

exceptions. The generally applicable height limit on highways, without a permit, is

13 feet 6 inches, subject to limited exceptions.

Current law allows DOT, upon determination by the Department of

Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection that an agricultural emergency exists,

to issue permits (agricultural emergency permits) authorizing vehicles transporting

any of the following loads to exceed the generally applicable width limitation of 8 feet

6 inches if the total outside width does not exceed 12 feet: 1) hay in bales; and 2) from

September 15 to December 15 of each year, Christmas trees from the point of

harvesting or staging to a Christmas tree yard or point of commercial shipment.

However, this authorization is limited to the operation of commercial motor vehicles

on interstate highways.

This bill modifies the agricultural emergency permit issued by DOT. Under the

bill, an agricultural emergency permit may also be issued for vehicles transporting

baled straw, cornstalks, or stover if the straw, cornstalks, or stover is to be used for

feed or bedding. Baled hay also may be transported under the permit only if the hay

is to be used for feed or bedding. In addition, an agricultural emergency permit also

authorizes the operation of vehicles up to 14 feet 6 inches tall and 12 feet 5 inches

wide and is not limited to the operation of commercial motor vehicles on interstate

highways.