SB1343 Summary

• Adds definition and permitting requirements for "extreme heavy duty tow and recovery vehicles" with lifting capacity of at least 50 tons and specific weight limits (4-axle vehicles up to 80,000 pounds unladen weight or 5-axle vehicles up to 90,000 pounds unladen weight).

• Allows extreme heavy duty tow and recovery vehicles to travel to and from disablement scenes and clear disabled vehicles while exceeding gross and axle weight limits if the towing service obtains an extreme heavy duty tow and recovery permit.

• Establishes standards for escort vehicles accompanying oversized loads exceeding 12 feet wide, requiring operators to be at least 18 years old with proper licenses and equipped with rotating or flashing amber lights.

• Permits agricultural commodity movements under special permits during September 1 through December 31 to exceed weight limits by up to 10% without requiring permits for local roads, provided vehicle weights do not exceed registered gross weight by more than 10%.

• Clarifies permit requirements, conditions, violations, and penalties including fraud provisions (Class 4 felony) and establishes procedures for determining whether loads can be reasonably dismantled or disassembled.