The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Sharon F. Lyles.
DIGEST
Riser (SB 348)
Present law exempts farm and agricultural vehicles and equipment, except draglines and
bulldozers, operated for normal farm purposes from width (R.S. 32:380), height (R.S. 32:381),
length (R.S. 32:382) and trailers and towed vehicle (R.S. 32:384) requirements provided by law
and authorizes such vehicles to use any public highways except interstate highways during the
period from 30 minutes after sunrise until 30 minutes before sunset without obtaining a special
permit for distances not to exceed 50 miles from the point of origin.
Present law exempts trailers and semi-trailers with a gross vehicle weight rating of not more than
12,000 pounds from width (R.S.32:380) when owned and used by a retail business in this state
and designed and used exclusively for the purposes of pick-up or delivery of new, used, or
repaired farm equipment for distances not to exceed 50 miles from the point of origin.
Proposed law adds exemption for dual-purpose farm and construction equipment or machinery.
Proposed law exempts farm and agricultural vehicles and equipment, except draglines and
bulldozers, being operated to transport dual-purpose farm and construction equipment or
machinery for normal farm purposes from width (R.S. 32:380), height (R.S. 32:381), length (R.S.
32:382) and trailers and towed vehicle (R.S. 32:384) requirements provided by law and
authorizes such vehicles to use any public highways except interstate highways during the period
from 30 minutes after sunrise until thirty minutes before sunset without obtaining a special
permit for distances more than 50 miles from the point of origin provided such vehicles shall
meet the following requirements:
(1)Operate with escort vehicles ahead of and behind them.
(2)Observe traffic signals and regulatory signs, including escort vehicles.
(3)Operate only in daylight hours.
(4)Do not operate in rain or other weather conditions unsafe for such operation.
(5)Observe all safety standards for farm equipment.
(6)Do not operate on interstate highways.
(7)Do not operate on or across a bridge with a posted weight limit.
Effective August 1, 2014. (Amends R.S. 32:385(A)(1))