HF 2428 (LSB 5737HV (1) 84)

HOUSE FILE 2428

BY  COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

(SUCCESSOR TO HF 2282)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to escort and permit requirements for the movement of certain vehicles and combinations of vehicles of excessive size.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 321E.1, subsection 1, Code 2011, is amended to read as follows:
   1.  The department and local authorities may in their discretion and upon application and with good cause being shown issue permits for the movement of construction machinery or asphalt repavers being temporarily moved on streets, roads, or highways and for vehicles with indivisible loads which exceed the maximum dimensions and weights specified in sections 321.452 through 321.466, but not to exceed the limitations imposed in this section and sections 321E.2 through 321E.15 except as provided in section
 
sections 321E.8B and 321E.29.
    Sec. 2.  Section 321E.2, subsection 1, Code 2011, is amended to read as follows:
   1.  Annual, multi-trip, and single-trip permits shall be issued by the authority responsible for the maintenance of the system of highways or streets. However, the department may issue permits on primary road extensions in cities in conjunction with movements on the rural primary road system. The department may issue an all-system permit under section 321E.8 which is valid for movements on all highways or streets under the jurisdiction of either the state or those local authorities which have indicated in writing to the department those streets or highways for which an all-system permit is not valid. The department may issue annual permits pursuant to section 321E.8A valid only for operation on noninterstate highways in counties stipulated in the permit.

The department may issue an annual permit under section 321E.8B which is valid for movements on highways or streets that are not part of the national network of highways identified pursuant to 23 C.F.R. pt. 658 and are under the jurisdiction of either the state or those local authorities that have indicated in writing to the department those streets or highways for which an all-system permit is not valid.
    Sec. 3.  NEW SECTION.  321E.8B  Vehicle combinations with divisible loads —— annual permit.
   The department may issue an annual permit for a truck tractor-semitrailer-semitrailer combination or a truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer combination carrying a divisible load and having an overall length not to exceed one hundred ten feet and with each trailer in the combination having an overall length not to exceed forty-five feet; an overall width not to exceed sixteen feet; an overall height not to exceed seventeen feet four inches; and a total gross weight not to exceed eighty thousand pounds; provided that the gross weight on any one axle does not exceed the maximum prescribed in section 321.463 and the load carried on each semitrailer or trailer is an indivisible load. A permit issued under this section shall allow travel only on highways that are not part of the national network of highways identified pursuant to 23 C.F.R. pt. 658. The length limitations specified for a permit issued under this section apply for the purpose of picking up a divisible load and returning from delivery of the divisible load.
    Sec. 4.  Section 321E.14, subsection 1, Code 2011, is amended to read as follows:
   1.  The department or local authorities issuing permits shall charge a fee of twenty-five dollars for an annual permit issued under section 321E.8, subsection 1, a fee of three hundred dollars for an annual permit issued under section 321E.8, subsection 2, a fee of two hundred dollars for a multi-trip permit issued under section 321E.9A, a fee of six hundred dollars for a special alternative energy multi-trip permit issued under section 321E.9B, and a fee of ten dollars for a single-trip permit, and shall determine charges for
 
permits issued pursuant to section 321E.8B and special permits issued pursuant to section 321E.29 by rules adopted pursuant to chapter 17A. Fees for the movement of buildings, parts of buildings, or unusual vehicles or loads may be increased to cover the costs of inspections by the issuing authority. A fee not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars per day or a prorated fraction of that fee per person and car for escort service may be charged when requested or when required under this chapter. Proration of escort fees between state and local authorities when more than one governmental authority provides or is required to provide escort for a movement during the period of a day shall be determined by rule under section 321E.15. The department and local authorities may charge a permit applicant for the cost of trimming trees and removal and replacement of natural obstructions or official signs and signals or other public or private property required to be removed during the movement of a vehicle and load. In addition to the fees provided in this section, the annual fee for a permit for special mobile equipment, as defined in section 321.1, subsection 75, operated pursuant to section 321E.7, subsection 3, with a combined gross weight up to and including eighty thousand pounds shall be twenty-five dollars and for a combined gross weight exceeding eighty thousand pounds, fifty dollars.
    Sec. 5.  Section 321E.34, subsection 2, Code 2011, is amended to read as follows:
   2.
  a.  Vehicles under permit, the width of which, including any load, exceeds that prescribed in section 321.454 but does not exceed fourteen feet six inches including appurtenances, may be moved on two-lane highways of this state without an escort if the highway being traversed has a minimum lane width of twelve feet and a sufficient shoulder width and if an amber revolving light or strobe light is displayed on the power unit and on the rear extremity of the vehicle or load. In addition, vehicles
   b.  Vehicles moving under permit, including any load, with an overall width not exceeding sixteen feet six inches may be moved on an interstate or four-lane highway of this state without an escort if an amber revolving light or strobe light is displayed on the power unit and on the rear extremity of the vehicle or load.
   c.  The department may in its discretion allow a vehicle moving under permit with a width not exceeding sixteen feet zero inches, including any load, to be moved on a two-lane highway without an escort if the highway being traversed has a minimum lane width of twelve feet and a sufficient shoulder width and if an amber revolving light or strobe light is displayed on the power unit and on the rear extremity of the vehicle or load.
EXPLANATION
   This bill provides for the issuance of an annual oversize vehicle permit for the movement of certain combinations of vehicles carrying a divisible load. Currently, oversize vehicle permits are only issued for vehicles carrying indivisible loads, except under special or emergency circumstances.
   The bill authorizes the department of transportation to issue an annual all-system permit for a truck tractor-semitrailer-semitrailer or a truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer combination of vehicles carrying a divisible load to travel on certain roads which are not part of the national network. The combination of vehicles cannot exceed 110 feet in overall length, 16 feet in overall width, 17 feet 4 inches in overall height, and 80,000 pounds in gross weight and must comply with statutory axle weight limits. Each semitrailer or trailer in the combination of vehicles may be up to 45 feet in length, and the load on each individual trailer must be indivisible. The permit allows the combination of vehicles to make a return trip unladen. The bill specifies that the fee for the annual permit shall be established by the department by rule.
   Under current Iowa law, vehicle size limits are established in compliance with limits established by the federal highway administration for vehicles traveling on the national network of highways. The national network is made up of interstate highways and designated portions of the federal-aid primary system. The length limit for a semitrailer or trailer in a truck tractor-semitrailer-semitrailer combination or a truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer combination is 28 feet 6 inches. In order to comply with the federal limit on trailer length, a permit issued under the bill allows travel only on highways that are not part of the national network. State permits for loads exceeding the established federal width limit of 102 inches are permissible under federal law.
   Current law requires the use of escort vehicles to accompany certain vehicles of excessive size and weight. A vehicle with a width in excess of 14 feet 6 inches, including any load or appurtenances, is required to have an escort when moved on a two-lane highway. An escort is not required for movement of a vehicle with a width not exceeding 16 feet 6 inches on a four-lane highway or an interstate, provided that an amber revolving light or strobe light is displayed on the power unit and on the rear extremity of the vehicle or load. This bill allows the department to waive the escort requirement for a vehicle with a width not exceeding 16 feet to be moved on a two-lane highway that has a minimum lane width of 12 feet and a sufficient shoulder width. The vehicle must have an amber revolving light or strobe light displayed on the power unit and on the rear extremity of the vehicle or load.