Bill Text: GA HB835 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Vehicles; 5 percent variance of weight limitations for towing disabled commercial vehicles; provide

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Republican 6-1)

Status: (Passed) 2012-07-01 - Effective Date [HB835 Detail]

Download: Georgia-2011-HB835-Introduced.html

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12 LC 39 0100S/AP

House Bill 835 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE)

By: Representatives Roberts of the 154th, Sims of the 169th, Burns of the 157th, Benton of the 31st, Williams of the 165th, and others

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend Article 2 of Chapter 6 of Title 32 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to weight and dimensions of vehicles and loads, so as to provide for annual permits for commercial wreckers exceeding the maximum weight and dimensions for vehicles and loads allowed on the state highway system when conducting an emergency tow; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Article 2 of Chapter 6 of Title 32 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to weight and dimensions of vehicles and loads, is amended in Code Section 32-6-28, relating to permits for excess weight and dimensions of vehicles and loads, by revising subsections (b) and (c) as follows:

"(b) Duration and limits of permits.

(1) Annual permit. The commissioner or an official of the department designated by the commissioner may, pursuant to this Code section, issue an annual permit which shall permit a vehicle to be operated on the public roads of this state for 12 months from the date the permit is issued even though the vehicle or its load exceeds the maximum limits specified in this article. However, except as specified in paragraph (2) of this subsection, an annual permit shall not authorize the operation of a vehicle:

(A) Whose total gross weight exceeds 100,000 pounds;

(B) Whose single axle weight exceeds 25,000 pounds;

(C) Whose total load length exceeds 100 feet;

(D) Whose total width exceeds 102 inches or whose load width exceeds 144 inches; or

(E) Whose height exceeds 14 feet and six inches.

(2) Annual permit plus. Vehicles and loads that meet the requirements for an annual permit may apply for a special annual permit to carry wider loads on the NHS. The wider load limits shall be a maximum of 14 feet wide from the base of the load to a point 10 feet above the pavement and 14 feet and eight inches for the upper portion of the load.

(3) Annual commercial wrecker emergency tow permit. Pursuant to this Code section, the commissioner may issue an annual permit for vehicles towing disabled, damaged, or wrecked commercial vehicles even though such wrecker or its load exceeds the maximum limits specified in this article. However, an annual commercial wrecker emergency tow permit shall not authorize the operation of a vehicle:

(A) Whose single axle weight exceeds 21,000 pounds;

(B) Whose load on any tandem axle exceeds 40,000 pounds; or

(C) Whose total load length exceeds 125 feet.

(2.1)(4) Six-month permit. Six-month permits may be issued for loads of tobacco or unginned cotton the widths of which do not exceed nine feet, provided that such loads shall not be operated on The Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways.

(3)(5) Single trip. Pursuant to this Code section, the commissioner may issue a single-trip permit to any vehicle or load allowed by federal law.

(4)(6) Multitrip. Pursuant to this Code section, the commissioner may issue a multitrip permit to any vehicle or load allowed by federal law. A multitrip permit authorizes the permitted load to return to its original destination on the same permit, if done so within ten days, with the same vehicle configuration, and following the same route, unless otherwise specified by the department. A multitrip permit authorizes unlimited permitted loads on the same permit, if done so within the allowable ten days, with the same vehicle configuration, and following the same route.

(c) Fees. The department may promulgate rules and regulations concerning the issuance of permits and charge a fee for the issuance thereof as follows:

(1) Annual. Charges for the issuance of annual permits shall be $150.00 per permit.

(2) Annual permit plus. Charges for the issuance of annual permits plus shall be $500.00 per permit.

(3) Annual commercial wrecker emergency tow permit. Charges for the issuance of annual commercial wrecker emergency tow permits shall be $500.00 per permit.

(3)(4) Six months. The charges for the issuance of six-month permits for loads of tobacco or unginned cotton shall be $25.00 per permit.

(4)(5) Single trip. Charges for the issuance of single-trip permits shall be as follows:

(A) Any load not greater than 16 feet wide, not greater than 16 feet high, and not weighing more than 150,000 pounds or any load greater than 100 feet long which does not exceed the maximum width, height, and weight limits specified by this subparagraph	$ 30.00
(B) Superload permit. Any load having a width, height, or weight exceeding the maximum limit therefor specified in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph and not weighing more than 180,000 pounds	125.00
(C) Superload plus permit. Any load having a weight exceeding the maximum limit therefor specified in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph	500.00

(5)(6) Multitrip. Charges for the issuance of multitrip permits shall be $100.00 for any load not greater than 16 feet wide, not greater than 16 feet high, and not weighing more than 150,000 pounds or any load greater than 100 feet long which does not exceed the maximum width, height, and weight limits specified by this paragraph."

SECTION 2.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.