Bill > S3002

This bill makes several updates to the regulations governing the size, weight, and load limits for commercial and specialized vehicles, aiming to clarify exemptions and adjust certain restrictions. Key changes include expanding exemptions for road machinery actively working in construction zones, providing broader exemptions for farm vehicles and machinery from width, length, and weight limits when incidentally operated on highways, and clarifying that vehicles hauling fodder or forage are exempt from load covering requirements. It also modifies exemptions for Rhode Island Public Transit Authority buses, allowing them to exceed certain length, axle, and weight limits on designated routes, and introduces specific weight and axle load allowances for covered heavy-duty tow and recovery vehicles and natural gas vehicles. The bill also adjusts the maximum length for single vehicles and loads to 45 feet, allows for axle load limits to not exceed the manufacturer's gross axle weight rating, and mandates that lift axles must be engaged when a vehicle is carrying a load, with penalties for violations. Furthermore, it updates the definition of "carrier" and clarifies how overweight penalties are calculated, including specific provisions for vehicles exceeding certain gross weight thresholds. The bill also modifies rules for annual blanket permits for non-divisible loads, adjusting width, length, and weight limits, and adds Juneteenth to the list of holidays with travel restrictions. Finally, it removes a specific bridge from the list of those where blanket permits are not allowed and clarifies that travel through construction zones with lane width reductions is prohibited.

Military Affairs and Security

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