H.B. 4850 (H-1): COMMITTEE SUMMARY TRANSPORT OF LOGS/DIRT
House Bill 4850 (Substitute H-1 as passed by the House) Sponsor: Representative John Gernaat
House Committee: Transportation
Senate Committee: Agriculture and Forestry
Date Completed: 2-20-96
The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to allow the transport of logs and poles that hang over the rear of a semitrailer under certain conditions; exempt a truck carrying sand, gravel, or dirt necessary for the normal operation of a farm from current requirements that loads be covered or securely fastened; and remove language in the Code that exempts a vehicle carrying logs or tubular products from certain construction or loading requirements.
Currently, the Code contains a number of provisions that specify maximum vehicle and trailer lengths, dependent upon the types of vehicles and trailers, combinations, and/or time of day. A person may operate a truck and semitrailer or trailer designed and used to transport saw logs, pulpwood, and tree length poles that does not exceed 70 feet in length, including the load. The bill provides that, in addition, a person could operate a truck tractor and semitrailer designed and used to transport such a load with the load overhanging the rear of the semitrailer by up to six feet, if the semitrailer did not exceed 50 feet.
Currently, if a vehicle is carrying a load that is not completely enclosed, the load must either: be covered with a firmly secured canvas or other cover; or, be securely fastened to the body or frame of the vehicle with binders sufficient to prevent dropping or shifting. A person operating a vehicle to transport agricultural commodities in the normal operation of a farm is exempt from the requirements. The bill specifies that a person operating a farm licensed truck or implement of husbandry transporting sand, gravel, or dirt in the normal operation of a farm also would be exempt from the cover and/or secure requirements.
The bill would delete language that exempts a person operating a vehicle carrying logs or tubular products from a requirement that the vehicle be loaded in such a way to prevent the contents from escaping the vehicle.
MCL 257.719 & 257.720 Legislative Analyst: G. Towne
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
S9596\S4850SA
Fiscal Analyst: B. Bowerman
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
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