Brief Description: Addressing the nondivisible gross weight limit of farm implements on public highways.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Haugen and Rasmussen).

Senate Committee on Transportation
House Committee on Transportation

Background: Current law restricts the length, width, and weight of vehicles that may operate on public highways. The Department of Transportation (DOT) is authorized to issue special permits to vehicles that exceed the length, width, or weight restrictions. DOT may issue annual permits to farm implements with a gross weight less than 45,000 pounds.

Many modern farm implements have a gross weight greater than 45,000 pounds.

Summary: The weight restriction for vehicles that may operate on a farm implement special permit is increased to 65,000 pounds. Vehicles operating on a farm implement special permit must comply with the statute that governs the distribution of the vehicle's weight over a specified wheelbase and number of axles.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      45   0
House      93   0

Effective: June 12, 2008