FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 1095

C 262 L 01

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Updating oversize load permits.

Sponsors:  Representatives Mitchell, Fisher and Hankins; by request of Department of Transportation.

House Committee on Transportation

Senate Committee on Transportation

Background:

The Legislature has given authority to the Department of Transportation (DOT) to issue permits that regulate the movement of  vehicles that exceed size, weight, and load restrictions on state highways.  There are two authorizations in statute:  one provides the DOT with the authority to issue permits to over-sized vehicles; the other provides authority to issue permits to over-sized or over-weight vehicles or loads.  This duplication has led to some minor confusion and has complicated the rule-making process by creating an unnecessary division for rule-making authority.

Applicants for excessive size, weight, or load permits are required to apply in writing for a permit and must show good cause for issuance.  Good cause being shown, the DOT then grants the special permit in writing.  To keep up with current capabilities and the future direction of e-government, the DOT would like to be able to issue these permits electronically as well as in writing.

The DOT can only issue permits for fire trucks that drive on public highways if their maximum gross weight on any single axle does not exceed 24,000 pounds and if the gross weight on any tandem axle does not exceed 43,000 pounds.

Some newer fire-fighting apparatus purchased for use in urban areas, usually for multi-story building fires, exceed these weight limits.

Summary:

The duplicate statutory provision is repealed.

The DOT is authorized to issue excessive size, weight, and load special permits electronically, in addition to the method by which a permit is presently issued.  The bill also identifies which statutory requirements an approved special permit applicant may exceed.

A new code section is created concerning size, weight, and load restrictions for fire-fighting apparatus. 

Fire-fighting apparatus are defined and are required to comply with all federal and state laws, including rules adopted by agencies within each jurisdiction.  Load restrictions of bridges within their service area shall be complied with.  Fire-fighting apparatuses may operate without a permit if they do not exceed a specific weight and dimension and if there is no tridem axle set.

Overweight fire-fighting apparatus that were put into operation in this state before July 1, 2001 may be granted annual permits, subject to bridge limitations and other limitations stipulated on the permit.  In issuing a permit to these vehicles, the Department of Transportation must compare the bridge load ratings to the vehicle and then denote on the permit those structures where the vehicles are either given special operating instructions or denied access.

Votes on Final Passage:

House970

Senate480(Senate amended)

House840(House concurred)

Effective:  July 22, 2001