HOUSE BILL 91

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2007

INTRODUCED BY

Thomas C. Taylor

AN ACT

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES; ENACTING A NEW SECTION OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE CODE TO PROVIDE FOR MULTIPLE TRIP SPECIAL PERMITS FOR OILFIELD EQUIPMENT TRANSPORT VEHICLES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     Section 1. A new section of the Motor Vehicle Code is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] MULTIPLE TRIP SPECIAL PERMIT ALLOWANCE--VEHICLES USED TO TRANSPORT OILFIELD EQUIPMENT--LIMITATIONS.--

          A. An oilfield equipment transport vehicle may be issued a special permit to transport loads for multiple trips. The area covered by the special permit shall be specified on the permit.

          B. The multiple trip special permits for oilfield equipment transport vehicles may be issued for a load with a maximum width not to exceed twenty-two feet, a maximum height not to exceed twenty feet and a maximum length not to exceed one hundred ten feet; provided that:

                (1) any load wider than twenty feet and higher than eighteen feet requires:

                     (a) a state police escort; and

                     (b) a survey of the route for clearance of any overhead structures and width clearances prior to undertaking the move;

                (2) the gross vehicle weight of the loaded vehicle is less than one hundred forty thousand pounds;

                (3) the vehicle is marked on the front and the rear with "OVERSIZED LOAD" signs; and

                (4) the vehicle is not operated on highways for which a more strict size or weight limitation is required by federal law.

          C. If the owner of an oilfield equipment transport vehicle transports a load of more than one hundred forty thousand pounds, the owner is liable to the state, county or municipality for damage to a highway, street, road or bridge caused by the weight of the loaded vehicle.

          D. The oilfield equipment transport vehicle shall not be operated on routes identified by the department of transportation as having deficient bridge structures. The owner or operator of the oilfield equipment transport vehicle shall obtain and have in its possession the deficient bridge information from the department, which shall be updated annually.

          E. A multiple special trip permit issued pursuant to this section shall be issued in lieu of any other excessive size or weight permit required by the Motor Vehicle Code.

          F. As used in this section, "oilfield equipment transport vehicle" means a motor vehicle, trailer or combination of a motor vehicle with a trailer used exclusively for hauling equipment or materials used in the production of oil or gas."

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