SB-0396 Summary

• Establishes maximum vehicle width limits of 96 inches for general vehicles and 102 inches for school buses, buses, trailers, and motor homes, with exceptions for specific cargo types like pulpwood and agricultural products allowing up to 108 inches.

• Allows pneumatic tired forestry vehicles and special mobile equipment used in silvicultural operations to travel up to 20 miles on county roads without a permit if unladen and equipped with slow-moving vehicle emblems and amber lights.

• Requires owners of forestry vehicles traveling more than 20 miles to notify the county road commission, with escalating civil fines ($250 for first violation, $500 for second, $750 for third violation with operational prohibition).

• Requires owners of vehicles transporting forest products on unpaved roads to obtain a bond, cash deposit, or irrevocable letter of credit of up to $5,000 per mile and remain liable for all road damage caused by vehicle operation.

• Provides weight limit exceptions for vehicles hauling agricultural commodities, public utilities performing emergency work, and natural gas-fueled vehicles, with specific permitting and notification requirements.