The bill amends Section 31-25-21 of the General Laws regarding size, weight, and load limits for vehicles on highways under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation. It introduces provisions for the issuance of special permits that allow vehicles to exceed the standard weight limit of 80,000 pounds, specifically including boats and marine assets in the blanket permit for non-divisible loads. The annual blanket permit fee is set at $400, which exempts the payor from single trip permit fees for non-divisible loads under 130,000 pounds. Additionally, the bill specifies that the vehicle must be certified by the manufacturer to possess the braking and carrying capacity for the weight specified on the application.

The bill removes references to "construction equipment" in various sections, replacing it with more general terms. It establishes travel restrictions for oversized vehicles through zones with specific limitations and outlines that blanket permits shall not be granted for travel over certain bridges. Upon approval of the annual blanket permit application, the permit shall be valid for one year. Violations of the permit requirements can lead to fines and revocation of permit privileges for repeat offenders. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the permitting process for oversized vehicles while ensuring safety and compliance with transportation regulations.

Statutes affected:
532: 31-25-21
532  SUB A: 31-25-21