Weight limits for vehicles transporting grain, feed, or commercial fertilizer, the official text

2025 - 2026 LEGISLATURE
LRB-5528/1
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2025 ASSEMBLY BILL 679
November 24, 2025 - Introduced by Representatives B. Jacobson, O'Connor, Maxey, Murphy, Mursau, Penterman, Spiros, Tranel and Goodwin, cosponsored by Senator Tomczyk. Referred to Committee on Transportation.

An Act to create 348.25 (8) (b) 4r. and 348.27 (21) of the statutes; relating to: weight limits for vehicles transporting grain, feed, or commercial fertilizer.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill creates special highway weight limits for certain vehicles transporting grain, feed, or commercial fertilizer.
Under current law generally, no person may operate on a highway any vehicle or combination of vehicles that exceeds certain statutory weight limits without a permit issued by the Department of Transportation or a local highway authority. The allowable weight for a vehicle operating without a permit varies based on the number of axles on the vehicle, with a maximum total weight of 80,000 pounds. Currently, higher weight limits are provided for certain vehicles transporting specific agricultural products, with a maximum total weight of 90,000 pounds.
The bill authorizes DOT to issue permits, for a fee of $325, for the transport of grain, feed, or commercial fertilizers at a weight not to exceed 91,000 pounds. The permit is valid for the transportation of grain, feed, or commercial fertilizer only on highways that are within the state trunk highway system and only on a route specified by the department. Other highways may be used with written approval of the officers in charge of maintenance of the other highways. DOT may suspend the permit during a spring thaw.
Under current law, if any bill introduced in either house of the legislature directly or indirectly establishes an exception to vehicle weight limitations, DOT must prepare a report, containing specified information, relating to the bill within six weeks after the bill is introduced and before any vote is taken on the bill. This bill directs DOT not to prepare such a report on this bill.
For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

Section 1. 348.25 (8) (b) 4r. of the statutes is created to read:
348.25 (8) (b) 4r. For a permit issued under s. 348.27 (21), $325.
Section 2. 348.27 (21) of the statutes is created to read:
348.27 (21) Permits for the transportation of grain, feed, or commercial fertilizer. (a) Subject to par. (b), the department may issue annual or consecutive month permits for the transportation of grain, feed, or commercial fertilizer in vehicles or vehicle combinations that have 6 or more axles and that exceed the maximum gross weight limitations under s. 348.15 (3) (c). Notwithstanding s. 348.15 (8), any axle of a vehicle or vehicle combination that does not impose on the highway at least 8 percent of the gross weight of the vehicle or vehicle combination may not be counted as an axle for the purposes of this paragraph. A permit issued under this subsection does not authorize the operation of any vehicle or vehicle combination at a maximum gross weight in excess of 91,000 pounds.
(b) Except as provided in par. (c), a permit under this subsection is valid only for the transportation of grain, feed, or commercial fertilizer on highways within the state trunk highway system and only on a route specified by the department.
(c) If the highways desired to be used by an applicant for a permit under this subsection involve highways other than those within the state trunk highway
system, the application shall be accompanied by a written statement of route approval by the officer in charge of maintenance of the other highway.
(d) A permit under this subsection is not valid on any interstate highway designated under s. 84.29 (2) except to the extent allowed by federal law without any loss or reduction of federal aid or other sanction.
(e) The department may suspend a permit issued under this subsection during a spring thaw.
Section 3. Nonstatutory provisions.
(1) Notwithstanding s. 13.096 (2), the department of transportation may not prepare a report on this bill under s. 13.096 (2) and (3).
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