1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to traffic regulations; exempting first hauls
1.3 	of manufactured wood products from certain highway
1.4 	weight restrictions; amending Minnesota Statutes 2004,
1.5 	section 169.8261.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 169.8261, is
1.8 	amended to read:
1.9 	169.8261 GROSS WEIGHT LIMITATIONS; FOREST PRODUCTS.
1.10 	A vehicle or combination of vehicles hauling raw or
1.11 	unfinished forest products, including wood chips, or making the
1.12 	first haul from the place of manufacture of paper, pulp,
1.13 	oriented strand board, treated and untreated lumber, laminated
1.14 	strand lumber, barrel staves, hardboard, wood chips, and
1.15 	pallets,by the most direct route to the nearest highway that
1.16 	has been designated under section 169.832, subdivision 11, may
1.17 	be operated on any highway with gross weights permitted under
1.18 	sections 169.822 to 169.829 without regard to load restrictions
1.19 	imposed on that highway, except that such vehicles must:
1.20 	(1) comply with seasonal load restrictions in effect
1.21 	between the dates set by the commissioner under section 169.87,
1.22 	subdivision 2;
1.23 	(2) comply with bridge load limits posted under section
1.24 	169.84;
1.25 	(3) be equipped and operated with six axles and brakes;
2.1 	(4) not exceed 90,000 pounds gross weight, or 98,000 pounds
2.2 	gross weight during the time when seasonal increases are
2.3 	authorized under section 169.826;
2.4 	(5) not be operated on interstate and defense highways;
2.5 	(6) obtain an annual permit from the commissioner of
2.6 	transportation; and
2.7 	(7) obey all road postings.