SF 1456

as introduced - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 02/23/2012 09:55am

A bill for an act
relating to motor vehicles; transferring certain duties regarding commercial
vehicles and permits from commissioner of transportation to commissioner of
public safety; amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 169.781, subdivisions
3, 5, 6; 169.783, subdivision 1; 169.81, subdivision 1; 169.826, subdivisions
1, 1a, 2; 169.8261, subdivision 2; 169.86; 169.862, subdivision 1; 169.863;
169.864, subdivisions 1, 2, 4; 169.866, subdivisions 1, 3; 299D.02, by adding a
subdivision.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.781, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Inspector certification; suspension and revocation; hearing.

(a) An
inspection required by this section may be performed only by:

(1) an employee of the Department of Public Safety deleted text begin or Transportation deleted text end who has
been certified by the commissioner after having received training provided by the State
Patrol; or

(2) another person who has been certified by the commissioner after having received
training provided by the State Patrol or other training approved by the commissioner.

(b) A person who is not an employee of the Department of Public Safety deleted text begin or
Transportation deleted text end may be certified by the commissioner if the person is:

(1) an owner, or employee of the owner, of one or more commercial motor vehicles
that are power units;

(2) a dealer licensed under section 168.27 and engaged in the business of buying and
selling commercial motor vehicles, or an employee of the dealer;

(3) engaged in the business of repairing and servicing commercial motor vehicles; or

(4) employed by a governmental agency that owns commercial vehicles.

(c) Certification of persons described in paragraph (b), clauses (1) to (4), is effective
for two years from the date of certification. The commissioner may require biennial
retraining of persons holding a certificate under paragraph (b) as a condition of renewal
of the certificate. The commissioner may charge a fee of not more than $10 for each
certificate issued and renewed. A certified person described in paragraph (b), clauses (1)
to (4), may charge a reasonable fee for each inspection of a vehicle not owned by the
person or the person's employer.

(d) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision 5, the standards adopted by the
commissioner for commercial motor vehicle inspections under sections 169.781 to
169.783 must be the standards prescribed in Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, section
396.17, and in chapter III, subchapter B, appendix G.

(e) The commissioner may classify types of vehicles for inspection purposes and
may issue separate classes of inspector certificates for each class.

(f) The commissioner, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing, may suspend a
certificate issued under paragraph (b) for failure to meet annual certification requirements
prescribed by the commissioner or failure to inspect commercial motor vehicles in
accordance with inspection procedures established by the State Patrol. The commissioner
shall revoke a certificate issued under paragraph (b) if the commissioner determines after
notice and an opportunity for a hearing that the certified person issued an inspection decal
for a commercial motor vehicle when the person knew or reasonably should have known
that the vehicle was in such a state of repair that it would have been declared out of service
if inspected by an employee of the State Patrol. Suspension and revocation of certificates
under this subdivision are not subject to sections 14.57 to 14.69.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.781, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Inspection decal; violation, penalty.

(a) A person inspecting a
commercial motor vehicle shall issue an inspection decal for the vehicle if each inspected
component of the vehicle complies with federal motor carrier safety regulations. The
decal must state that in the month specified on the decal the vehicle was inspected and
each inspected component complied with federal motor carrier safety regulations. The
decal is valid for 12 months after the month specified on the decal. The deleted text begin commissioners deleted text end
new text begin commissioner new text end of public safety deleted text begin and transportation deleted text end shall make decals available, at a fee
of not more than $2 for each decal, to persons certified to perform inspections under
subdivision 3, paragraph (b). Decals are issued to inspectors by serial number and are not
transferable unless approved by the commissioner.

(b) A person who, with the intent to defraud, falsely makes, duplicates, alters, or
forges a decal or other writing or thing purporting to be a Minnesota inspection decal
described in this subdivision is guilty of a gross misdemeanor. A person who, with the
intent to defraud, possesses a decal or other writing or thing falsely purporting to be a
Minnesota inspection decal described in this subdivision is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.781, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Record review; random inspection; audit.

Employees of the State Patrol
deleted text begin and motor transportation representatives of the Department of Transportation deleted text end may review
records required to be kept under subdivision 4, paragraph (b), and conduct random
vehicle inspections and audits at the facility of an owner of a commercial motor vehicle.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.783, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Postcrash inspection.

(a) A peace officer responding to an accident
involving a commercial motor vehicle must immediately notify the State Patrol if the
accident results in:

(1) a fatality;

(2) bodily injury to a person who, as a result of the injury, immediately receives
medical treatment away from the scene of the accident; or

(3) one or more motor vehicles incurring disabling damage as a result of the
accident, requiring the motor vehicles to be transported away from the scene by tow
truck or other motor vehicle.

(b) It is a misdemeanor for a person to drive or cause to be driven a commercial
motor vehicle after such an accident unless the vehicle:

(1) has been inspected by a state trooper or other person authorized to conduct
inspections under section 169.781, subdivision 3, paragraph (a), who is an employee of
the Department of Public Safety deleted text begin or Transportation deleted text end , and the person inspecting the vehicle
has determined that the vehicle may safely be operated; or

(2) a waiver has been granted under subdivision 2.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.81, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Height.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), no vehicle unladen
or with load shall exceed a height of 13 feet six inches.

(b) A double-deck bus may not exceed a height of 14 feet three inches. Any
carrier operating a double-deck bus exceeding 13 feet six inches shall obtain from the
commissioner new text begin of public safety new text end , with respect to new text begin state new text end highways deleted text begin under the commissioner's
jurisdiction deleted text end , and from local authorities, with respect to highways under their jurisdiction,
an annual permit to operate the bus upon any highway under the jurisdiction of the
party granting the permit. Annual permits shall be issued in accordance with applicable
provisions of section 169.86. The fee for an annual permit issued by the commissioner
new text begin of public safety new text end is as provided in section 169.86, subdivision 5.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.826, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Winter increase amounts.

The limitations provided in sections
169.823 to 169.829 are increased by ten percent between the dates set by the commissioner
new text begin of transportation new text end for each zone established by the commissioner based on a freezing
index model each winter.

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.826, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:

Subd. 1a.

Harvest season increase amount; permit.

The limitations provided in
sections 169.823 to 169.829 are increased by ten percent from the beginning of harvest to
November 30 each year for the movement of sugar beets, carrots, and potatoes from the
field of harvest to the point of the first unloading. Transfer of the product from a farm
vehicle or small farm trailer, within the meaning of chapter 168, to another vehicle is not
considered to be the first unloading. A permit issued under section 169.86, subdivision 1,
paragraph (a), is required. The commissioner new text begin of public safety new text end shall not issue permits under
this subdivision if to do so will result in a loss of federal highway funding to the state.

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.826, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Duration.

The duration of a ten percent increase in load limits is subject
to limitation by order of the commissioner new text begin of transportation new text end , subject to implementation
of springtime load restrictions.

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.8261, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Conditions.

(a) A vehicle or combination of vehicles described in
subdivision 1 must:

(1) comply with seasonal load restrictions in effect between the dates set by the
commissioner under section 169.87, subdivision 2;

(2) comply with bridge load limits posted under section 169.84;

(3) be equipped and operated with six or more axles and brakes on all wheels;

(4) not exceed 90,000 pounds gross vehicle weight, or 99,000 pounds gross vehicle
weight during the time when seasonal increases are authorized under section 169.826;

(5) not be operated on interstate highways;

(6) obtain an annual permit from the commissioner of deleted text begin transportation deleted text end new text begin public safety new text end ;

(7) obey all road postings; and

(8) not exceed 20,000 pounds gross weight on any single axle.

(b) A vehicle operated under this section may exceed the legal axle weight limits
listed in section 169.824 by not more than 12.5 percent; except that, the weight limits may
be exceeded by not more than 23.75 percent during the time when seasonal increases are
authorized under section 169.826, subdivision 1.

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.86, is amended to read:

169.86 SPECIAL PERMIT TO EXCEED HEIGHT, WIDTH, OR LOAD;
FEES.

Subdivision 1.

Permit authorities; restrictions.

(a) The commissioner new text begin of public
safety new text end , with respect to new text begin state new text end highways deleted text begin under the commissioner's jurisdiction deleted text end , and local
authorities, with respect to highways under their jurisdiction, may, in their discretion,
upon application in writing and good cause being shown deleted text begin therefor deleted text end , issue a special permit,
in writing, authorizing the applicant to move a vehicle or combination of vehicles of a
size or weight of vehicle or load exceeding the maximum specified in this chapter, or
otherwise not in conformity with the provisions of this chapter, upon any highway under
the jurisdiction of the party granting such permit and for the maintenance of which such
party is responsible.

(b) Permits relating to over-width, over-length manufactured homes shall not be
issued to persons other than manufactured home dealers or manufacturers for movement
of new units owned by the manufactured home dealer or manufacturer, until the person
has presented a statement from the county auditor and treasurer where the unit is presently
located, stating that all personal and real property taxes have been paid. Upon payment of
the most recent single year delinquent personal property or current year taxes only, the
county auditor or treasurer must issue a taxes paid statement to a manufactured home
dealer or a financial institution desiring to relocate a manufactured home that has been
repossessed. This statement must be dated within 30 days of the contemplated move. The
statement from the county auditor and treasurer where the unit is presently located, stating
that all personal and real property taxes have been paid, may be made by telephone. If
the statement is obtained by telephone, the permit shall contain the date and time of the
telephone call and the names of the persons in the auditor's office and treasurer's office
who verified that all personal and real property taxes had been paid.

(c) The commissioner new text begin of public safety new text end may not grant a permit authorizing the
movement, in a three-vehicle combination, of a semitrailer or trailer that exceeds 28-1/2
feet, except that the commissioner (1) may renew a permit that was granted before April
16, 1984, for the movement of a semitrailer or trailer that exceeds the length limitation in
section 169.81, subdivision 2, or (2) may grant a permit authorizing the transportation of
empty trailers that exceed 28-1/2 feet when using a B-train hitching mechanism as defined
in Code of Federal Regulations, title 23, section 658.5, paragraph (o), from a point of
manufacture in the state to the state border.

(d) The state as to state trunk highways, a statutory or home rule charter city as
to streets in the city, or a town as to roads in the town, may issue permits authorizing
the transportation of combinations of vehicles exceeding the limitations in section
169.81, subdivisions 2a and 3, over highways, streets, or roads within its boundaries.
Combinations of vehicles authorized by this paragraph may be restricted as to the use of
state trunk highways by the commissioner new text begin of public safety new text end , to the use of streets by the
city road authority, and to the use of roads by the town road authority. Nothing in this
paragraph or section 169.81, subdivisions 2a and 3, alters or changes the authority vested
in local authorities under section 169.04.

Subd. 1a.

Seasonal permits for certain haulers.

The commissioner of
deleted text begin transportation deleted text end new text begin public safety new text end , upon application in writing therefor, may issue special
permits annually to any hauler authorizing the hauler to move vehicles or combinations
of vehicles with weights exceeding by not more than ten percent the weight limitations
contained in sections 169.823 to 169.829, on interstate highways during the times and
within the zones specified in sections 169.823 to 169.829.

Subd. 1b.

Permit for snowplowing vehicle.

The commissioner new text begin of public safety
new text end or a local authority may issue an annual permit to a person that authorizes the person to
operate on any highway under the jurisdiction of the new text begin state or new text end grantor of the permit, a motor
vehicle bearing a snowplow blade that when deployed does not exceed ten feet in width.
The permit authorizes operation of the vehicle between October 1 and April 1.

Subd. 2.

Required information.

The application for a permit shall specifically
describe in writing the vehicle or vehicles and loads to be moved and the particular
highways and period of time for which a permit is requested.

Subd. 3.

Authority to issue permit; conditions, financial responsibility.

The
commissioner new text begin of public safety new text end or local authority may issue or withhold such permit; or,
if such permit is issued, limit or prescribe conditions of operation of such vehicle or
vehicles, when necessary to assure against undue damage to the road foundations, surfaces
or structures, and may require such undertaking or other security as may be deemed
necessary to compensate for any injury or damage to any roadway or road structure, and in
addition may require that the operator or owner of such vehicle or vehicles have in effect
with respect to the operation of such vehicle or vehicles a policy of liability insurance or
bond affording substantially the same coverage with respect to injury to persons and
damage to property as is required for proof of financial responsibility under the No-Fault
Automobile Insurance Act, sections 65B.14 and 65B.41 to 65B.71.

Subd. 3a.

Denial of permit; manufactured home frames.

The commissioner new text begin of
public safety new text end or local authority may not deny a permit for the transport to a manufacturing
plant of manufactured home frames not more than 15-1/2 feet in width during periods of
seasonal weight restrictions unless the load exceeds the weight restrictions.

Subd. 3b.

Escort vehicles.

The commissioner new text begin of public safety new text end or local authority
shall specify in the permit:

(1) the minimum number of escort vehicles required to escort the overdimensional
load; and

(2) whether the operators of the escort vehicles must be certified licensed peace
officers or may be overdimensional load escort drivers who hold a current certificate
under section 299D.085.

Subd. 4.

Display and inspection of permit.

Every such permit shall be carried in
the vehicle or combination of vehicles to which it refers and shall be open to inspection by
any police officer or authorized agent of any authority granting such permit, and no person
shall violate any of the terms or conditions of such special permit.

Subd. 5.

Fees; proceeds deposited; appropriation.

The commissioner new text begin of public
safety new text end , with respect to new text begin state new text end highways deleted text begin under the commissioner's jurisdiction deleted text end , may charge
a fee for each permit issued. All such fees for permits issued by the commissioner of
deleted text begin transportation deleted text end new text begin public safety new text end shall be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the trunk
highway fund. Except for those annual permits for which the permit fees are specified
elsewhere in this chapter, the fees shall be:

(a) $15 for each single trip permit.

(b) $36 for each job permit. A job permit may be issued for like loads carried on
a specific route for a period not to exceed two months. "Like loads" means loads of the
same product, weight, and dimension.

(c) $60 for an annual permit to be issued for a period not to exceed 12 consecutive
months. Annual permits may be issued for:

(1) motor vehicles used to alleviate a temporary crisis adversely affecting the safety
or well-being of the public;

(2) motor vehicles which travel on interstate highways and carry loads authorized
under subdivision 1a;

(3) motor vehicles operating with gross weights authorized under section 169.826,
subdivision 1a;

(4) special pulpwood vehicles described in section 169.863;

(5) motor vehicles bearing snowplow blades not exceeding ten feet in width;

(6) noncommercial transportation of a boat by the owner or user of the boat;

(7) motor vehicles carrying bales of agricultural products authorized under section
169.862; and

(8) special milk-hauling vehicles authorized under section 169.867.

(d) $120 for an oversize annual permit to be issued for a period not to exceed 12
consecutive months. Annual permits may be issued for:

(1) mobile cranes;

(2) construction equipment, machinery, and supplies;

(3) manufactured homes and manufactured storage buildings;

(4) implements of husbandry;

(5) double-deck buses;

(6) commercial boat hauling;

(7) three-vehicle combinations consisting of two empty, newly manufactured trailers
for cargo, horses, or livestock, not to exceed 28-1/2 feet per trailer; provided, however,
the permit allows the vehicles to be moved from a trailer manufacturer to a trailer dealer
only while operating on twin-trailer routes designated under section 169.81, subdivision 3,
paragraph (c); and

(8) vehicles operating on that portion of marked Trunk Highway 36 described in
section 169.81, subdivision 3, paragraph (e).

(e) For vehicles which have axle weights exceeding the weight limitations of
sections 169.823 to 169.829, an additional cost added to the fees listed above. However,
this paragraph applies to any vehicle described in section 168.013, subdivision 3,
paragraph (b), but only when the vehicle exceeds its gross weight allowance set forth in
that paragraph, and then the additional cost is for all weight, including the allowance
weight, in excess of the permitted maximum axle weight. The additional cost is equal
to the product of the distance traveled times the sum of the overweight axle group cost
factors shown in the following chart:

	Overweight Axle Group Cost Factors
Weight (pounds)		Cost Per Mile For Each Group Of:
exceeding weight limitations on axles		Two consecutive axles spaced within 8 feet or less		Three consecutive axles spaced within 9 feet or less		Four consecutive axles spaced within 14 feet or less
0-2,000		.12		.05		.04
2,001-4,000		.14		.06		.05
4,001-6,000		.18		.07		.06
6,001-8,000		.21		.09		.07
8,001-10,000		.26		.10		.08
10,001-12,000		.30		.12		.09
12,001-14,000		Not permitted		.14		.11
14,001-16,000		Not permitted		.17		.12
16,001-18,000		Not permitted		.19		.15
18,001-20,000		Not permitted		Not permitted		.16
20,001-22,000		Not permitted		Not permitted		.20

The amounts added are rounded to the nearest cent for each axle or axle group. The
additional cost does not apply to paragraph (c), clauses (1) and (3).

For a vehicle found to exceed the appropriate maximum permitted weight, a cost-per-mile
fee of 22 cents per ton, or fraction of a ton, over the permitted maximum weight is imposed
in addition to the normal permit fee. Miles must be calculated based on the distance
already traveled in the state plus the distance from the point of detection to a transportation
loading site or unloading site within the state or to the point of exit from the state.

(f) As an alternative to paragraph (e), an annual permit may be issued for overweight,
or oversize and overweight, mobile cranes; construction equipment, machinery, and
supplies; implements of husbandry; and commercial boat hauling. The fees for the permit
are as follows:

Gross Weight (pounds) of Vehicle		Annual Permit Fee
90,000	or less	$200
90,001	- 100,000	$300
100,001	- 110,000	$400
110,001	- 120,000	$500
120,001	- 130,000	$600
130,001	- 140,000	$700
140,001	- 145,000	$800

If the gross weight of the vehicle is more than 145,000 pounds the permit fee is determined
under paragraph (e).

(g) For vehicles which exceed the width limitations set forth in section 169.80 by
more than 72 inches, an additional cost equal to $120 added to the amount in paragraph (a)
when the permit is issued while seasonal load restrictions pursuant to section 169.87 are
in effect.

(h) $85 for an annual permit to be issued for a period not to exceed 12 months, for
refuse-compactor vehicles that carry a gross weight of not more than: 22,000 pounds on
a single rear axle; 38,000 pounds on a tandem rear axle; or, subject to section 169.828,
subdivision 2, 46,000 pounds on a tridem rear axle. A permit issued for up to 46,000
pounds on a tridem rear axle must limit the gross vehicle weight to not more than 62,000
pounds.

(i) $300 for a motor vehicle described in section 169.8261. The fee under this
paragraph must be deposited as follows:

(1) in fiscal years 2005 through 2010:

(i) the first $50,000 in each fiscal year must be deposited in the trunk highway fund
for costs related to administering the permit program and inspecting and posting bridges;

(ii) all remaining money in each fiscal year must be deposited in a bridge inspection
and signing account in the special revenue fund. Money in the account is appropriated
to the commissioner new text begin of transportation new text end for:

(A) inspection of local bridges and identification of local bridges to be posted,
including contracting with a consultant for some or all of these functions; and

(B) erection of weight-posting signs on local bridges; and

(2) in fiscal year 2011 and subsequent years must be deposited in the trunk highway
fund.

(j) Beginning August 1, 2006, $200 for an annual permit for a vehicle operating
under authority of section 169.824, subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause (2).

Subd. 6.

Articulated bus.

Articulated buses operated by public transit operators
may exceed the length and weight limitations of this chapter, subject only to an annual
permit from the commissioner new text begin of public safety new text end for such operation, and shall not be subject
to any city ordinance or to any permit from any local road authority. The application for a
permit shall contain such information as may be required by the commissioner.

Subd. 7.

Agreement with other state.

(a) On behalf of the state of Minnesota, the
commissioner new text begin of public safety new text end may enter into agreements with authorized representatives
of other states for the reciprocal administration and granting of permits to allow the
movement of vehicles of sizes and weights that do not conform to Minnesota law. The
agreement may authorize representatives of other states to issue permits to allow vehicles
that do not conform to the size and weight provisions of this chapter to travel on new text begin state
new text end highways deleted text begin under the jurisdiction of the commissioner deleted text end .

(b) An agreement entered into under paragraph (a), and all amendments to it, must
be in writing and may provide for exchanging information for audit and enforcement
activities, collecting fees established under this chapter, and distributing fees collected
under the agreement. It must state that no permit issued under the agreement excuses a
vehicle operator from compliance with a law of this state other than the laws governing
size and weight of vehicles.

(c) For purposes of paragraphs (a) and (b), "state" means a state, territory, or
possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, a foreign country, and a state
or province of a foreign country.

(d) Fees collected under authority of the agreement must be deposited in the
Minnesota state treasury and credited to the trunk highway fund.

Subd. 8.

Tow truck permit.

The commissioner new text begin of public safety new text end may issue permits
to an applicant who pays a single $300 annual fee to cover all tow trucks and towing
vehicles owned by the applicant and meets any other conditions prescribed by the
commissioner. The permit authorizes the tow truck or towing vehicle, when towing a
disabled or damaged vehicle to a place of repair or to a place of safekeeping, to exceed the
length and weight limitations of this chapter.

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.862, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Annual permit authority; restrictions.

The commissioner of
deleted text begin transportation deleted text end new text begin public safety new text end with respect to new text begin state new text end highways deleted text begin under the commissioner's
jurisdiction deleted text end , and local authorities with respect to highways under their jurisdiction, may
issue an annual permit to enable a vehicle carrying bales of hay, straw, or cornstalks, with
a total outside width of the vehicle or the load not exceeding 12 feet, and a total height of
the loaded vehicle not exceeding 15 feet, to be operated on public streets and highways.
Loaded vehicles operating on interstate highways within the seven-county metropolitan
area may not exceed a total height of 14-1/2 feet.

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.863, is amended to read:

169.863 SPECIAL PULPWOOD VEHICLE PERMIT.

Subdivision 1.

Special vehicle.

The commissioner new text begin of public safety new text end may issue a
permit for a vehicle that meets the following requirements:

(a) There must be no more than two support points for the vehicle or for each vehicle
of a vehicle combination. The support point of each axle group must be capable of
distributing the load equally to each axle of the group with a variance of no more than
3,000 pounds between any two axles of the group.

(b) The maximum wheel load may not exceed the tire manufacturer's recommended
load or the following weight limits, whichever is less:

(1) front steering axles, 550 pounds per inch;

(2) other single axles, 500 pounds per inch;

(3) tandem axles, 450 pounds per inch; and

(4) tridem or quad axle groups, 425 pounds per inch.

(c) The axle group weights must comply with the limitations of section 169.824.

(d) The vehicle may not be equipped with a variable load axle, unless the variable
load axle cannot be operated from the cab of the vehicle.

(e) The vehicle transports pole-length pulpwood, carries a gross vehicle weight of
not more than 82,000 pounds, and has six or more axles.

Subd. 2.

Permit restrictions.

A vehicle operating under a permit issued under this
section may not travel on an interstate highway. The permit does not authorize the vehicle
to exceed allowable gross weights that restrict travel on a highway or bridge under the
authority of the commissioner new text begin of transportation new text end or a local road authority.

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.864, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Special three-unit vehicle permit.

The commissioner new text begin of public
safety new text end may issue a permit for a vehicle that meets the following requirements:

(1) is a combination of vehicles, including a truck-tractor and a semitrailer drawing
one additional semitrailer, which may be equipped with an auxiliary dolly, and no
semitrailer used in the three-vehicle combination has an overall length in excess of 28-1/2
feet;

(2) has a maximum gross vehicle weight of 108,000 pounds;

(3) complies with the axle weight limits in section 169.824;

(4) complies with the tire weight limits in section 169.823 or the tire manufacturers'
recommended load, whichever is less;

(5) is operated only in this state on Trunk Highway marked 2 between Grand Rapids
and the port of Duluth; on Trunk Highway marked 169 between Grand Rapids and its
junction with Trunk Highway marked 53; on Trunk Highway marked 194 between Trunk
Highway marked 2 and Trunk Highway marked 53; and on Trunk Highway marked 53
between Virginia and the port of Duluth; and

(6) the seasonal weight increases authorized under section 169.826, subdivision 1,
do not apply.

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.864, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Special two-unit vehicle permit.

The commissioner new text begin of public safety new text end may
issue a permit for a vehicle that meets the following requirements:

(1) is a combination of vehicles consisting of a truck-tractor and a single semitrailer
that may exceed 48 feet, but not 53 feet, if the distance from the kingpin to the centerline
of the rear axle group of the semitrailer does not exceed 43 feet;

(2) has a maximum gross vehicle weight of 90,000 pounds if the vehicle combination
has a total of six or more axles or 97,000 pounds if the vehicle combination has a total
of seven or more axles;

(3) has a maximum gross vehicle weight of 99,000 pounds during the time when
seasonal weight increases authorized under section 169.826, subdivision 1, are in effect;

(4) complies with the axle weight limits in section 169.824;

(5) complies with the tire weight limits in section 169.823 or the tire manufacturers'
recommended load, whichever is less; and

(6) is operated only on the highways specified in subdivision 1, clause (5).

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.864, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Permit fee; appropriation.

Vehicle permits issued under subdivision
1, clause (1), must be annual permits. The fee is $850 for each vehicle combination
and must be deposited in the trunk highway fund. The fee for annual permits issued
under subdivision 2 is $300 for a 90,000-pound vehicle combination or $500 for a
97,000-pound vehicle combination. An amount sufficient to administer the permit
program is appropriated from the trunk highway fund to the commissioner new text begin of public safety
new text end for the costs of administering the permit program.

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.866, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Special three-unit vehicle permit.

The commissioner new text begin of public
safety new text end may issue a permit for a vehicle that meets the following requirements:

(1) is a combination of vehicles, including a truck-tractor and a semitrailer
drawing one additional trailer or semitrailer, and no semitrailer used in the three-vehicle
combination has an overall length in excess of 28-1/2 feet;

(2) has a maximum gross vehicle weight of 105,500 pounds;

(3) complies with the axle weight limits in section 169.824;

(4) complies with the tire weight limits in section 169.823, or the tire manufacturers'
recommended load, whichever is less;

(5) is operated only in this state on marked Trunk Highway 175 from Hallock to the
North Dakota border, on U.S. Highway 75 from Hallock to Donaldson, and on marked
Trunk Highway 11 from Donaldson to the North Dakota border; and

(6) the seasonal weight increases authorized under section 169.826, subdivision 1,
do not apply.

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.866, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Permit fee; appropriation.

Vehicle permits issued under subdivision
1 must be annual permits. The fee is $850 for each vehicle and must be deposited in
the trunk highway fund. An amount sufficient to administer the permit program is
appropriated from the trunk highway fund to the commissioner new text begin of public safety new text end for the
costs of administering the permit program.

Sec. 18.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 299D.02, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Commissioner's powers and duties; commercial vehicles and permits.
new text end

new text begin All powers, duties, and responsibilities now assigned to and vested in the commissioner of
transportation under chapter 169, relating to commercial vehicles and permits, are hereby
transferred to and vested in the commissioner of public safety.
new text end

Sec. 19. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin Sections 1 to 18 are effective July 1, 2012.
new text end