1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to motor vehicles; transferring certain duties regarding commercial 
1.3 	vehicles and permits from commissioner of transportation to commissioner of 
1.4 	public safety;amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 169.781, subdivisions 
1.5 	3, 5, 6; 169.783, subdivision 1; 169.81, subdivision 1; 169.826, subdivisions 
1.6 	1, 1a, 2; 169.8261, subdivision 2; 169.86; 169.862, subdivision 1; 169.863; 
1.7 	169.864, subdivisions 1, 2, 4; 169.866, subdivisions 1, 3; 299D.02, by adding a 
1.8 	subdivision.
1.9 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.10 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.781, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
1.11 		Subd. 3.Inspector certification; suspension and revocation; hearing. (a) An 
1.12 	inspection required by this section may be performed only by:
1.13 	(1) an employee of the Department of Public Safety or Transportation who has 
1.14 	been certified by the commissioner after having received training provided by the State 
1.15 	Patrol; or
1.16 	(2) another person who has been certified by the commissioner after having received 
1.17 	training provided by the State Patrol or other training approved by the commissioner.
1.18 	(b) A person who is not an employee of the Department of Public Safety or 
1.19 	Transportation may be certified by the commissioner if the person is:
1.20 	(1) an owner, or employee of the owner, of one or more commercial motor vehicles 
1.21 	that are power units;
1.22 	(2) a dealer licensed under section 168.27 and engaged in the business of buying and 
1.23 	selling commercial motor vehicles, or an employee of the dealer;
1.24 	(3) engaged in the business of repairing and servicing commercial motor vehicles; or
1.25 	(4) employed by a governmental agency that owns commercial vehicles.
2.1 	(c) Certification of persons described in paragraph (b), clauses (1) to (4), is effective 
2.2 	for two years from the date of certification. The commissioner may require biennial 
2.3 	retraining of persons holding a certificate under paragraph (b) as a condition of renewal 
2.4 	of the certificate. The commissioner may charge a fee of not more than $10 for each 
2.5 	certificate issued and renewed. A certified person described in paragraph (b), clauses (1) 
2.6 	to (4), may charge a reasonable fee for each inspection of a vehicle not owned by the 
2.7 	person or the person's employer.
2.8 	(d) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision 5, the standards adopted by the 
2.9 	commissioner for commercial motor vehicle inspections under sections 169.781 to 
2.10 	169.783 must be the standards prescribed in Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, section 
2.11 	396.17, and in chapter III, subchapter B, appendix G.
2.12 	(e) The commissioner may classify types of vehicles for inspection purposes and 
2.13 	may issue separate classes of inspector certificates for each class.
2.14 	(f) The commissioner, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing, may suspend a 
2.15 	certificate issued under paragraph (b) for failure to meet annual certification requirements 
2.16 	prescribed by the commissioner or failure to inspect commercial motor vehicles in 
2.17 	accordance with inspection procedures established by the State Patrol. The commissioner 
2.18 	shall revoke a certificate issued under paragraph (b) if the commissioner determines after 
2.19 	notice and an opportunity for a hearing that the certified person issued an inspection decal 
2.20 	for a commercial motor vehicle when the person knew or reasonably should have known 
2.21 	that the vehicle was in such a state of repair that it would have been declared out of service 
2.22 	if inspected by an employee of the State Patrol. Suspension and revocation of certificates 
2.23 	under this subdivision are not subject to sections 14.57 to 14.69.

2.24 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.781, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
2.25 		Subd. 5.Inspection decal; violation, penalty. (a) A person inspecting a 
2.26 	commercial motor vehicle shall issue an inspection decal for the vehicle if each inspected 
2.27 	component of the vehicle complies with federal motor carrier safety regulations. The 
2.28 	decal must state that in the month specified on the decal the vehicle was inspected and 
2.29 	each inspected component complied with federal motor carrier safety regulations. The 
2.30 	decal is valid for 12 months after the month specified on the decal. The commissioners
2.31 	commissioner of public safety and transportation shall make decals available, at a fee 
2.32 	of not more than $2 for each decal, to persons certified to perform inspections under 
2.33 	subdivision 3, paragraph (b). Decals are issued to inspectors by serial number and are not 
2.34 	transferable unless approved by the commissioner.
3.1 	(b) A person who, with the intent to defraud, falsely makes, duplicates, alters, or 
3.2 	forges a decal or other writing or thing purporting to be a Minnesota inspection decal 
3.3 	described in this subdivision is guilty of a gross misdemeanor. A person who, with the 
3.4 	intent to defraud, possesses a decal or other writing or thing falsely purporting to be a 
3.5 	Minnesota inspection decal described in this subdivision is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

3.6 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.781, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
3.7 		Subd. 6.Record review; random inspection; audit. Employees of the State Patrol 
3.8 	and motor transportation representatives of the Department of Transportation may review 
3.9 	records required to be kept under subdivision 4, paragraph (b), and conduct random 
3.10 	vehicle inspections and audits at the facility of an owner of a commercial motor vehicle.

3.11 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.783, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
3.12 		Subdivision 1.Postcrash inspection. (a) A peace officer responding to an accident 
3.13 	involving a commercial motor vehicle must immediately notify the State Patrol if the 
3.14 	accident results in:
3.15 	(1) a fatality;
3.16 	(2) bodily injury to a person who, as a result of the injury, immediately receives 
3.17 	medical treatment away from the scene of the accident; or
3.18 	(3) one or more motor vehicles incurring disabling damage as a result of the 
3.19 	accident, requiring the motor vehicles to be transported away from the scene by tow 
3.20 	truck or other motor vehicle.
3.21 	(b) It is a misdemeanor for a person to drive or cause to be driven a commercial 
3.22 	motor vehicle after such an accident unless the vehicle:
3.23 	(1) has been inspected by a state trooper or other person authorized to conduct 
3.24 	inspections under section 169.781, subdivision 3, paragraph (a), who is an employee of 
3.25 	the Department of Public Safety or Transportation, and the person inspecting the vehicle 
3.26 	has determined that the vehicle may safely be operated; or
3.27 	(2) a waiver has been granted under subdivision 2.

3.28 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.81, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
3.29 		Subdivision 1.Height. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), no vehicle unladen 
3.30 	or with load shall exceed a height of 13 feet six inches.
3.31 	(b) A double-deck bus may not exceed a height of 14 feet three inches. Any 
3.32 	carrier operating a double-deck bus exceeding 13 feet six inches shall obtain from the 
3.33 	commissioner of public safety, with respect to state highways under the commissioner's 
4.1 	jurisdiction, and from local authorities, with respect to highways under their jurisdiction, 
4.2 	an annual permit to operate the bus upon any highway under the jurisdiction of the 
4.3 	party granting the permit. Annual permits shall be issued in accordance with applicable 
4.4 	provisions of section 169.86. The fee for an annual permit issued by the commissioner 
4.5 	of public safety is as provided in section 169.86, subdivision 5.

4.6 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.826, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
4.7 		Subdivision 1.Winter increase amounts. The limitations provided in sections 
4.8 	169.823 to 169.829 are increased by ten percent between the dates set by the commissioner 
4.9 	of transportation for each zone established by the commissioner based on a freezing 
4.10 	index model each winter.

4.11 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.826, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
4.12 		Subd. 1a.Harvest season increase amount; permit. The limitations provided in 
4.13 	sections 169.823 to 169.829 are increased by ten percent from the beginning of harvest to 
4.14 	November 30 each year for the movement of sugar beets, carrots, and potatoes from the 
4.15 	field of harvest to the point of the first unloading. Transfer of the product from a farm 
4.16 	vehicle or small farm trailer, within the meaning of chapter 168, to another vehicle is not 
4.17 	considered to be the first unloading. A permit issued under section 169.86, subdivision 1, 
4.18 	paragraph (a), is required. The commissioner of public safety shall not issue permits under 
4.19 	this subdivision if to do so will result in a loss of federal highway funding to the state.

4.20 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.826, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
4.21 		Subd. 2.Duration. The duration of a ten percent increase in load limits is subject 
4.22 	to limitation by order of the commissioner of transportation, subject to implementation 
4.23 	of springtime load restrictions.

4.24 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.8261, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
4.25 		Subd. 2.Conditions. (a) A vehicle or combination of vehicles described in 
4.26 	subdivision 1 must:
4.27 	(1) comply with seasonal load restrictions in effect between the dates set by the 
4.28 	commissioner under section 169.87, subdivision 2;
4.29 	(2) comply with bridge load limits posted under section 169.84;
4.30 	(3) be equipped and operated with six or more axles and brakes on all wheels;
4.31 	(4) not exceed 90,000 pounds gross vehicle weight, or 99,000 pounds gross vehicle 
4.32 	weight during the time when seasonal increases are authorized under section 169.826;
5.1 	(5) not be operated on interstate highways;
5.2 	(6) obtain an annual permit from the commissioner of transportation public safety;
5.3 	(7) obey all road postings; and
5.4 	(8) not exceed 20,000 pounds gross weight on any single axle.
5.5 	(b) A vehicle operated under this section may exceed the legal axle weight limits 
5.6 	listed in section 169.824 by not more than 12.5 percent; except that, the weight limits may 
5.7 	be exceeded by not more than 23.75 percent during the time when seasonal increases are 
5.8 	authorized under section 169.826, subdivision 1.

5.9 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.86, is amended to read:
5.10 	169.86 SPECIAL PERMIT TO EXCEED HEIGHT, WIDTH, OR LOAD; 
5.11 	FEES.
5.12 		Subdivision 1.Permit authorities; restrictions. (a) The commissioner of public 
5.13 	safety, with respect to state highways under the commissioner's jurisdiction, and local 
5.14 	authorities, with respect to highways under their jurisdiction, may, in their discretion, 
5.15 	upon application in writing and good cause being shown therefor, issue a special permit, 
5.16 	in writing, authorizing the applicant to move a vehicle or combination of vehicles of a 
5.17 	size or weight of vehicle or load exceeding the maximum specified in this chapter, or 
5.18 	otherwise not in conformity with the provisions of this chapter, upon any highway under 
5.19 	the jurisdiction of the party granting such permit and for the maintenance of which such 
5.20 	party is responsible.
5.21 	(b) Permits relating to over-width, over-length manufactured homes shall not be 
5.22 	issued to persons other than manufactured home dealers or manufacturers for movement 
5.23 	of new units owned by the manufactured home dealer or manufacturer, until the person 
5.24 	has presented a statement from the county auditor and treasurer where the unit is presently 
5.25 	located, stating that all personal and real property taxes have been paid. Upon payment of 
5.26 	the most recent single year delinquent personal property or current year taxes only, the 
5.27 	county auditor or treasurer must issue a taxes paid statement to a manufactured home 
5.28 	dealer or a financial institution desiring to relocate a manufactured home that has been 
5.29 	repossessed. This statement must be dated within 30 days of the contemplated move. The 
5.30 	statement from the county auditor and treasurer where the unit is presently located, stating 
5.31 	that all personal and real property taxes have been paid, may be made by telephone. If 
5.32 	the statement is obtained by telephone, the permit shall contain the date and time of the 
5.33 	telephone call and the names of the persons in the auditor's office and treasurer's office 
5.34 	who verified that all personal and real property taxes had been paid.
6.1 	(c) The commissioner of public safety may not grant a permit authorizing the 
6.2 	movement, in a three-vehicle combination, of a semitrailer or trailer that exceeds 28-1/2 
6.3 	feet, except that the commissioner (1) may renew a permit that was granted before April 
6.4 	16, 1984, for the movement of a semitrailer or trailer that exceeds the length limitation in 
6.5 	section 169.81, subdivision 2, or (2) may grant a permit authorizing the transportation of 
6.6 	empty trailers that exceed 28-1/2 feet when using a B-train hitching mechanism as defined 
6.7 	in Code of Federal Regulations, title 23, section 658.5, paragraph (o), from a point of 
6.8 	manufacture in the state to the state border.
6.9 	(d) The state as to state trunk highways, a statutory or home rule charter city as 
6.10 	to streets in the city, or a town as to roads in the town, may issue permits authorizing 
6.11 	the transportation of combinations of vehicles exceeding the limitations in section 
6.12 	169.81, subdivisions 2a and 3, over highways, streets, or roads within its boundaries. 
6.13 	Combinations of vehicles authorized by this paragraph may be restricted as to the use of 
6.14 	state trunk highways by the commissioner of public safety, to the use of streets by the 
6.15 	city road authority, and to the use of roads by the town road authority. Nothing in this 
6.16 	paragraph or section 169.81, subdivisions 2a and 3, alters or changes the authority vested 
6.17 	in local authorities under section 169.04.
6.18 		Subd. 1a.Seasonal permits for certain haulers. The commissioner of 
6.19 	transportation public safety, upon application in writing therefor, may issue special 
6.20 	permits annually to any hauler authorizing the hauler to move vehicles or combinations 
6.21 	of vehicles with weights exceeding by not more than ten percent the weight limitations 
6.22 	contained in sections 169.823 to 169.829, on interstate highways during the times and 
6.23 	within the zones specified in sections 169.823 to 169.829.
6.24 		Subd. 1b.Permit for snowplowing vehicle. The commissioner of public safety 
6.25 	or a local authority may issue an annual permit to a person that authorizes the person to 
6.26 	operate on any highway under the jurisdiction of the state or grantor of the permit, a motor 
6.27 	vehicle bearing a snowplow blade that when deployed does not exceed ten feet in width. 
6.28 	The permit authorizes operation of the vehicle between October 1 and April 1.
6.29 		Subd. 2.Required information. The application for a permit shall specifically 
6.30 	describe in writing the vehicle or vehicles and loads to be moved and the particular 
6.31 	highways and period of time for which a permit is requested.
6.32 		Subd. 3.Authority to issue permit; conditions, financial responsibility. The 
6.33 	commissioner of public safety or local authority may issue or withhold such permit; or, 
6.34 	if such permit is issued, limit or prescribe conditions of operation of such vehicle or 
6.35 	vehicles, when necessary to assure against undue damage to the road foundations, surfaces 
6.36 	or structures, and may require such undertaking or other security as may be deemed 
7.1 	necessary to compensate for any injury or damage to any roadway or road structure, and in 
7.2 	addition may require that the operator or owner of such vehicle or vehicles have in effect 
7.3 	with respect to the operation of such vehicle or vehicles a policy of liability insurance or 
7.4 	bond affording substantially the same coverage with respect to injury to persons and 
7.5 	damage to property as is required for proof of financial responsibility under the No-Fault 
7.6 	Automobile Insurance Act, sections 65B.14 and 65B.41 to 65B.71.
7.7 		Subd. 3a.Denial of permit; manufactured home frames. The commissioner of 
7.8 	public safety or local authority may not deny a permit for the transport to a manufacturing 
7.9 	plant of manufactured home frames not more than 15-1/2 feet in width during periods of 
7.10 	seasonal weight restrictions unless the load exceeds the weight restrictions.
7.11 		Subd. 3b.Escort vehicles. The commissioner of public safety or local authority 
7.12 	shall specify in the permit:
7.13 	(1) the minimum number of escort vehicles required to escort the overdimensional 
7.14 	load; and
7.15 	(2) whether the operators of the escort vehicles must be certified licensed peace 
7.16 	officers or may be overdimensional load escort drivers who hold a current certificate 
7.17 	under section 299D.085.
7.18 		Subd. 4.Display and inspection of permit. Every such permit shall be carried in 
7.19 	the vehicle or combination of vehicles to which it refers and shall be open to inspection by 
7.20 	any police officer or authorized agent of any authority granting such permit, and no person 
7.21 	shall violate any of the terms or conditions of such special permit.
7.22 		Subd. 5.Fees; proceeds deposited; appropriation. The commissioner of public 
7.23 	safety, with respect to state highways under the commissioner's jurisdiction, may charge 
7.24 	a fee for each permit issued. All such fees for permits issued by the commissioner of 
7.25 	transportationpublic safety shall be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the trunk 
7.26 	highway fund. Except for those annual permits for which the permit fees are specified 
7.27 	elsewhere in this chapter, the fees shall be:
7.28 	(a) $15 for each single trip permit.
7.29 	(b) $36 for each job permit. A job permit may be issued for like loads carried on 
7.30 	a specific route for a period not to exceed two months. "Like loads" means loads of the 
7.31 	same product, weight, and dimension.
7.32 	(c) $60 for an annual permit to be issued for a period not to exceed 12 consecutive 
7.33 	months. Annual permits may be issued for:
7.34 	(1) motor vehicles used to alleviate a temporary crisis adversely affecting the safety 
7.35 	or well-being of the public;
8.1 	(2) motor vehicles which travel on interstate highways and carry loads authorized 
8.2 	under subdivision 1a;
8.3 	(3) motor vehicles operating with gross weights authorized under section 169.826, 
8.4 	subdivision 1a;
8.5 	(4) special pulpwood vehicles described in section 169.863;
8.6 	(5) motor vehicles bearing snowplow blades not exceeding ten feet in width;
8.7 	(6) noncommercial transportation of a boat by the owner or user of the boat;
8.8 	(7) motor vehicles carrying bales of agricultural products authorized under section 
8.9 	169.862; and
8.10 	(8) special milk-hauling vehicles authorized under section 169.867.
8.11 	(d) $120 for an oversize annual permit to be issued for a period not to exceed 12 
8.12 	consecutive months. Annual permits may be issued for:
8.13 	(1) mobile cranes;
8.14 	(2) construction equipment, machinery, and supplies;
8.15 	(3) manufactured homes and manufactured storage buildings;
8.16 	(4) implements of husbandry;
8.17 	(5) double-deck buses;
8.18 	(6) commercial boat hauling;
8.19 	(7) three-vehicle combinations consisting of two empty, newly manufactured trailers 
8.20 	for cargo, horses, or livestock, not to exceed 28-1/2 feet per trailer; provided, however, 
8.21 	the permit allows the vehicles to be moved from a trailer manufacturer to a trailer dealer 
8.22 	only while operating on twin-trailer routes designated under section 169.81, subdivision 3, 
8.23 	paragraph (c); and
8.24 	(8) vehicles operating on that portion of marked Trunk Highway 36 described in 
8.25 	section 169.81, subdivision 3, paragraph (e).
8.26 	(e) For vehicles which have axle weights exceeding the weight limitations of 
8.27 	sections 169.823 to 169.829, an additional cost added to the fees listed above. However, 
8.28 	this paragraph applies to any vehicle described in section 168.013, subdivision 3, 
8.29 	paragraph (b), but only when the vehicle exceeds its gross weight allowance set forth in 
8.30 	that paragraph, and then the additional cost is for all weight, including the allowance 
8.31 	weight, in excess of the permitted maximum axle weight. The additional cost is equal 
8.32 	to the product of the distance traveled times the sum of the overweight axle group cost 
8.33 	factors shown in the following chart:

8.34		Overweight Axle Group Cost Factors
		
8.35	Weight (pounds)
		Cost Per Mile For Each Group Of:
	
9.1
9.2
9.3
9.4
9.5	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
	
9.6	0-2,000
		.12
		.05
		.04
	
9.7	2,001-4,000
		.14
		.06
		.05
	
9.8	4,001-6,000
		.18
		.07
		.06
	
9.9	6,001-8,000
		.21
		.09
		.07
	
9.10	8,001-10,000
		.26
		.10
		.08
	
9.11	10,001-12,000
		.30
		.12
		.09
	
9.12
9.13	12,001-14,000
		Not 
permitted
		.14
		.11
	
9.14
9.15	14,001-16,000
		Not 
permitted
		.17
		.12
	
9.16
9.17	16,001-18,000
		Not 
permitted
		.19
		.15
	
9.18
9.19	18,001-20,000
		Not 
permitted
		Not 
permitted
		.16
	
9.20
9.21	20,001-22,000
		Not 
permitted
		Not 
permitted
		.20
	
9.22 	The amounts added are rounded to the nearest cent for each axle or axle group. The 
9.23 	additional cost does not apply to paragraph (c), clauses (1) and (3).
9.24 	For a vehicle found to exceed the appropriate maximum permitted weight, a cost-per-mile 
9.25 	fee of 22 cents per ton, or fraction of a ton, over the permitted maximum weight is imposed 
9.26 	in addition to the normal permit fee. Miles must be calculated based on the distance 
9.27 	already traveled in the state plus the distance from the point of detection to a transportation 
9.28 	loading site or unloading site within the state or to the point of exit from the state.
9.29 	(f) As an alternative to paragraph (e), an annual permit may be issued for overweight, 
9.30 	or oversize and overweight, mobile cranes; construction equipment, machinery, and 
9.31 	supplies; implements of husbandry; and commercial boat hauling. The fees for the permit 
9.32 	are as follows:

9.33	Gross Weight (pounds) of Vehicle
	Annual Permit Fee 
	
9.34	90,000
	or less 
	$200
	
9.35	90,001
	- 100,000
	$300
	
9.36	100,001
	- 110,000
	$400
	
9.37	110,001
	- 120,000
	$500
	
9.38	120,001
	- 130,000
	$600
	
9.39	130,001
	- 140,000
	$700
	
9.40	140,001
	- 145,000
	$800
	
10.1 	If the gross weight of the vehicle is more than 145,000 pounds the permit fee is determined 
10.2 	under paragraph (e).
10.3 	(g) For vehicles which exceed the width limitations set forth in section 169.80 by 
10.4 	more than 72 inches, an additional cost equal to $120 added to the amount in paragraph (a) 
10.5 	when the permit is issued while seasonal load restrictions pursuant to section 169.87 are 
10.6 	in effect.
10.7 	(h) $85 for an annual permit to be issued for a period not to exceed 12 months, for 
10.8 	refuse-compactor vehicles that carry a gross weight of not more than: 22,000 pounds on 
10.9 	a single rear axle; 38,000 pounds on a tandem rear axle; or, subject to section 169.828, 
10.10 	subdivision 2, 46,000 pounds on a tridem rear axle. A permit issued for up to 46,000 
10.11 	pounds on a tridem rear axle must limit the gross vehicle weight to not more than 62,000 
10.12 	pounds.
10.13 	(i) $300 for a motor vehicle described in section 169.8261. The fee under this 
10.14 	paragraph must be deposited as follows:
10.15 	(1) in fiscal years 2005 through 2010:
10.16 	(i) the first $50,000 in each fiscal year must be deposited in the trunk highway fund 
10.17 	for costs related to administering the permit program and inspecting and posting bridges;
10.18 	(ii) all remaining money in each fiscal year must be deposited in a bridge inspection 
10.19 	and signing account in the special revenue fund. Money in the account is appropriated 
10.20 	to the commissioner of transportation for:
10.21 	(A) inspection of local bridges and identification of local bridges to be posted, 
10.22 	including contracting with a consultant for some or all of these functions; and
10.23 	(B) erection of weight-posting signs on local bridges; and
10.24 	(2) in fiscal year 2011 and subsequent years must be deposited in the trunk highway 
10.25 	fund.
10.26 	(j) Beginning August 1, 2006, $200 for an annual permit for a vehicle operating 
10.27 	under authority of section 169.824, subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause (2).
10.28 		Subd. 6.Articulated bus. Articulated buses operated by public transit operators 
10.29 	may exceed the length and weight limitations of this chapter, subject only to an annual 
10.30 	permit from the commissioner of public safety for such operation, and shall not be subject 
10.31 	to any city ordinance or to any permit from any local road authority. The application for a 
10.32 	permit shall contain such information as may be required by the commissioner.
10.33 		Subd. 7.Agreement with other state. (a) On behalf of the state of Minnesota, the 
10.34 	commissioner of public safety may enter into agreements with authorized representatives 
10.35 	of other states for the reciprocal administration and granting of permits to allow the 
10.36 	movement of vehicles of sizes and weights that do not conform to Minnesota law. The 
11.1 	agreement may authorize representatives of other states to issue permits to allow vehicles 
11.2 	that do not conform to the size and weight provisions of this chapter to travel on state 
11.3 	highways under the jurisdiction of the commissioner.
11.4 	(b) An agreement entered into under paragraph (a), and all amendments to it, must 
11.5 	be in writing and may provide for exchanging information for audit and enforcement 
11.6 	activities, collecting fees established under this chapter, and distributing fees collected 
11.7 	under the agreement. It must state that no permit issued under the agreement excuses a 
11.8 	vehicle operator from compliance with a law of this state other than the laws governing 
11.9 	size and weight of vehicles.
11.10 	(c) For purposes of paragraphs (a) and (b), "state" means a state, territory, or 
11.11 	possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, a foreign country, and a state 
11.12 	or province of a foreign country.
11.13 	(d) Fees collected under authority of the agreement must be deposited in the 
11.14 	Minnesota state treasury and credited to the trunk highway fund.
11.15 		Subd. 8.Tow truck permit. The commissioner of public safety may issue permits 
11.16 	to an applicant who pays a single $300 annual fee to cover all tow trucks and towing 
11.17 	vehicles owned by the applicant and meets any other conditions prescribed by the 
11.18 	commissioner. The permit authorizes the tow truck or towing vehicle, when towing a 
11.19 	disabled or damaged vehicle to a place of repair or to a place of safekeeping, to exceed the 
11.20 	length and weight limitations of this chapter.

11.21 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.862, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
11.22 		Subdivision 1.Annual permit authority; restrictions.  The commissioner of 
11.23 	transportation public safety  with respect to state highways under the commissioner's 
11.24 	jurisdiction, and local authorities with respect to highways under their jurisdiction, may 
11.25 	issue an annual permit to enable a vehicle carrying bales of hay, straw, or cornstalks, with 
11.26 	a total outside width of the vehicle or the load not exceeding 12 feet, and a total height of 
11.27 	the loaded vehicle not exceeding 15 feet, to be operated on public streets and highways. 
11.28 	Loaded vehicles operating on interstate highways within the seven-county metropolitan 
11.29 	area may not exceed a total height of 14-1/2 feet.

11.30 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.863, is amended to read:
11.31 	169.863 SPECIAL PULPWOOD VEHICLE PERMIT.
11.32 		Subdivision 1.Special vehicle. The commissioner of public safety may issue a 
11.33 	permit for a vehicle that meets the following requirements:
12.1 	(a) There must be no more than two support points for the vehicle or for each vehicle 
12.2 	of a vehicle combination. The support point of each axle group must be capable of 
12.3 	distributing the load equally to each axle of the group with a variance of no more than 
12.4 	3,000 pounds between any two axles of the group.
12.5 	(b) The maximum wheel load may not exceed the tire manufacturer's recommended 
12.6 	load or the following weight limits, whichever is less:
12.7 	(1) front steering axles, 550 pounds per inch;
12.8 	(2) other single axles, 500 pounds per inch;
12.9 	(3) tandem axles, 450 pounds per inch; and
12.10 	(4) tridem or quad axle groups, 425 pounds per inch.
12.11 	(c) The axle group weights must comply with the limitations of section 169.824.
12.12 	(d) The vehicle may not be equipped with a variable load axle, unless the variable 
12.13 	load axle cannot be operated from the cab of the vehicle.
12.14 	(e) The vehicle transports pole-length pulpwood, carries a gross vehicle weight of 
12.15 	not more than 82,000 pounds, and has six or more axles.
12.16 		Subd. 2.Permit restrictions. A vehicle operating under a permit issued under this 
12.17 	section may not travel on an interstate highway. The permit does not authorize the vehicle 
12.18 	to exceed allowable gross weights that restrict travel on a highway or bridge under the 
12.19 	authority of the commissioner of transportation or a local road authority.

12.20 	Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.864, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
12.21 		Subdivision 1.Special three-unit vehicle permit. The commissioner of public 
12.22 	safety may issue a permit for a vehicle that meets the following requirements:
12.23 	(1) is a combination of vehicles, including a truck-tractor and a semitrailer drawing 
12.24 	one additional semitrailer, which may be equipped with an auxiliary dolly, and no 
12.25 	semitrailer used in the three-vehicle combination has an overall length in excess of 28-1/2 
12.26 	feet;
12.27 	(2) has a maximum gross vehicle weight of 108,000 pounds;
12.28 	(3) complies with the axle weight limits in section 169.824;
12.29 	(4) complies with the tire weight limits in section 169.823 or the tire manufacturers' 
12.30 	recommended load, whichever is less;
12.31 	(5) is operated only in this state on Trunk Highway marked 2 between Grand Rapids 
12.32 	and the port of Duluth; on Trunk Highway marked 169 between Grand Rapids and its 
12.33 	junction with Trunk Highway marked 53; on Trunk Highway marked 194 between Trunk 
12.34 	Highway marked 2 and Trunk Highway marked 53; and on Trunk Highway marked 53 
12.35 	between Virginia and the port of Duluth; and
13.1 	(6) the seasonal weight increases authorized under section 169.826, subdivision 1, 
13.2 	do not apply.

13.3 	Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.864, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
13.4 		Subd. 2.Special two-unit vehicle permit. The commissioner of public safety may 
13.5 	issue a permit for a vehicle that meets the following requirements:
13.6 	(1) is a combination of vehicles consisting of a truck-tractor and a single semitrailer 
13.7 	that may exceed 48 feet, but not 53 feet, if the distance from the kingpin to the centerline 
13.8 	of the rear axle group of the semitrailer does not exceed 43 feet;
13.9 	(2) has a maximum gross vehicle weight of 90,000 pounds if the vehicle combination 
13.10 	has a total of six or more axles or 97,000 pounds if the vehicle combination has a total 
13.11 	of seven or more axles;
13.12 	(3) has a maximum gross vehicle weight of 99,000 pounds during the time when 
13.13 	seasonal weight increases authorized under section 169.826, subdivision 1, are in effect;
13.14 	(4) complies with the axle weight limits in section 169.824;
13.15 	(5) complies with the tire weight limits in section 169.823 or the tire manufacturers' 
13.16 	recommended load, whichever is less; and
13.17 	(6) is operated only on the highways specified in subdivision 1, clause (5).

13.18 	Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.864, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
13.19 		Subd. 4.Permit fee; appropriation. Vehicle permits issued under subdivision 
13.20 	1, clause (1), must be annual permits. The fee is $850 for each vehicle combination 
13.21 	and must be deposited in the trunk highway fund. The fee for annual permits issued 
13.22 	under subdivision 2 is $300 for a 90,000-pound vehicle combination or $500 for a 
13.23 	97,000-pound vehicle combination. An amount sufficient to administer the permit 
13.24 	program is appropriated from the trunk highway fund to the commissioner of public safety 
13.25 	for the costs of administering the permit program.

13.26 	Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.866, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
13.27 		Subdivision 1.Special three-unit vehicle permit. The commissioner of public 
13.28 	safety may issue a permit for a vehicle that meets the following requirements:
13.29 	(1) is a combination of vehicles, including a truck-tractor and a semitrailer 
13.30 	drawing one additional trailer or semitrailer, and no semitrailer used in the three-vehicle 
13.31 	combination has an overall length in excess of 28-1/2 feet;
13.32 	(2) has a maximum gross vehicle weight of 105,500 pounds;
13.33 	(3) complies with the axle weight limits in section 169.824;
14.1 	(4) complies with the tire weight limits in section 169.823, or the tire manufacturers' 
14.2 	recommended load, whichever is less;
14.3 	(5) is operated only in this state on marked Trunk Highway 175 from Hallock to the 
14.4 	North Dakota border, on U.S. Highway 75 from Hallock to Donaldson, and on marked 
14.5 	Trunk Highway 11 from Donaldson to the North Dakota border; and
14.6 	(6) the seasonal weight increases authorized under section 169.826, subdivision 1, 
14.7 	do not apply.

14.8 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.866, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
14.9 		Subd. 3.Permit fee; appropriation. Vehicle permits issued under subdivision 
14.10 	1 must be annual permits. The fee is $850 for each vehicle and must be deposited in 
14.11 	the trunk highway fund. An amount sufficient to administer the permit program is 
14.12 	appropriated from the trunk highway fund to the commissioner of public safety for the 
14.13 	costs of administering the permit program.

14.14 	Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 299D.02, is amended by adding a 
14.15 	subdivision to read:
14.16 		Subd. 3.Commissioner's powers and duties; commercial vehicles and permits.
 14.17 	All powers, duties, and responsibilities now assigned to and vested in the commissioner of 
14.18 	transportation under chapter 169, relating to commercial vehicles and permits, are hereby 
14.19 	transferred to and vested in the commissioner of public safety.

14.20 	Sec. 19. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 14.21 	Sections 1 to 18 are effective July 1, 2012.