SB 80

Under current law, local highway authorities may impose special or seasonal

weight limitations on highways which, because of deterioration or climatic

conditions, would likely be seriously damaged or destroyed if limitations were not

imposed. For vehicles carrying certain commodities or being used to perform certain

services, local highway authorities may set different weight limitations or exempt

the vehicles from the special or seasonal weight limitations if an exemption or

limitation is in the interest of public health, safety and welfare.

Also under current law, local authorities may designate highways under their

jurisdiction as class "B" highways. With limited exceptions, the maximum gross

weight and per-axle vehicle weight 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 provides that special or seasonal weight limitations imposed by a

highway authority and class "B" highway weight limitations do not apply to vehicles

of public utilities, telecommunications providers, or certain cooperative associations,

when the vehicles are being operated for the purpose of responding to service

interruptions.

Under current law, if any bill introduced in either house of the legislature

directly or indirectly establishes an exception to vehicle weight limitations, the

Department of Transportation (DOT) must prepare a report, containing specified

information, relating to the bill within six weeks after the bill in introduced and

before any vote is taken on the bill. This bill directs DOT not to prepare such a report

on this bill.