Posted May 2, 2014
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker recently signed
legislation updating laws that cover farm machinery and travel on public roads,
according to an article by Agriview available here. WSAU also reported on the story here.
The new law, Act 337 (formerly SB 509),
increases weight limits for farm equipment traveling on roads, updates the
definition of Implements of Husbandry, and creates a new class of vehicles,
agricultural commercial motor vehicles. The law also increases the weight limits and establishes size parameters and lighting requirements for farm machinery operated on roadways.
The bill passed both houses of the state legislature
by wide margins.
“The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation is very proud
that the farming community was able to forge an agreement with town and county
officials on this legislation in a bipartisan manner,” said Jim Holte president
of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau. “For our
state’s farm families and agricultural economy it was imperative that the
debate over farm machinery on roads was resolved before the growing season … it’s
now up to farmers to talk with their local officials about how this law will be
implemented in their town and county.”
“This bill strikes a thoughtful balance between the
needs of our agricultural economy and the responsible management of our state
and local roads and bridges,” said Wisconsin Department of Transportation
Secretary Mark Gottlieb.
