MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Transportation

By: Representative Compretta

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 63-3-103, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DEFINE THE TERM RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AND MOTOR HOMES FOR PURPOSES OF THE "UNIFORM HIGHWAY TRAFFIC REGULATION LAW-RULES OF THE ROAD"; TO AMEND SECTION 63-5-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT APPURTENANCES ON RECREATIONAL VEHICLES SHALL BE ALLOWED IF THEY ARE INSIDE THE EXTERIOR REARVIEW MIRRORS OF THE VEHICLE OR THE VEHICLE TOWING THE RECREATIONAL VEHICLE; TO AMEND SECTION 63-5-19, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO LIMIT THE OVERALL LENGTH OF MOTOR HOMES, EXCLUSIVE OF BUMPERS, TO 45 FEET; TO AMEND SECTION 63-5-51, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE MISSISSIPPI TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO ISSUE PERMITS FOR THE COMMERCIAL MOVEMENT OF RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AND MOTOR HOMES THAT COMPLY WITH VEHICLE WIDTH REQUIREMENTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 63-3-103, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-3-103 (a) "Vehicle" means every device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, except devices used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.

(b) "Motor vehicle" means every vehicle which is self-propelled and every vehicle which is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires, but not operated upon rails.

(c) "Motorcycle" means every motor vehicle having a saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three (3) wheels in contact with the ground but excluding a tractor.

(d) "Authorized emergency vehicle" means every vehicle of the fire department (fire patrol), every police vehicle, and every such ambulance and emergency vehicle of municipal departments or public service corporations as is designated or authorized by the commission or the chief of police of an incorporated city.

(e) "School bus" means every motor vehicle operated for the transportation of children to or from any school, provided same is plainly marked "School Bus" on the front and rear thereof and meets the requirements of the State Board of Education as authorized under Section 37-41-1.

(f) "Recreational vehicle" means a vehicular type unit primarily designed as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping or travel use, which either has its own motive power or is mounted on or drawn by another vehicle and includes travel trailers, fifth wheel trailers, camping trailers, truck campers and motor homes.

(g) "Motor home" means a motor vehicle that is designed and constructed primarily to provide temporary living quarters for recreational, camping or travel use.

SECTION 2. Section 63-5-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-5-13. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the total outside width of any vehicle, exclusive of required safety devices, or the load thereon shall not exceed eight and one-half (8-1/2) feet; however, appurtenances on recreational vehicles shall be allowed so long as they are inside the exterior rearview mirrors of the recreational vehicle or inside the exterior rearview mirrors of the vehicle towing the recreational vehicle, and such mirrors do not extend further than necessary to obtain the appropriate field of view.

(2) The total outside load width of any vehicle hauling unprocessed forest products on public roads, streets or highways, other than interstate highways, shall not exceed nine and one-half (9-1/2) feet if such products may not be shortened without rendering them useless for the end product for which they were cut; provided, however, the total outside vehicle width of such a vehicle, exclusive of required safety devices and the load of such vehicle, shall not exceed eight and one-half (8-1/2) feet.

(3) The total outside width of a farm tractor shall not exceed ten (10) feet, except that farm tractors shall not be operated upon the interstate highways without a special permit from the State Highway Commission.

SECTION 3. Section 63-5-19, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-5-19. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, no single vehicle, unladen or with load, shall have an overall length, inclusive of front and rear bumpers, in excess of forty (40) feet.

(2) No semitrailer operating in a truck tractor-semitrailer combination and no trailer drawn by a motor vehicle shall exceed a length of fifty (50) feet.

(3) No semitrailer or trailer operating in a truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer combination and no trailer operating in a double trailer combination drawn by a motor vehicle shall exceed a length of thirty (30) feet.

(4) No semitrailer or trailer combinations in excess of two (2) units, excluding the towing motor vehicle, shall be allowed to operate on the highways of this state.

(5) No motor home shall have an overall length, exclusive of front and rear bumpers, in excess of forty-five (45) feet.

(6) The load upon the rear vehicle of a combination of vehicles transporting forest or agricultural products in their natural state shall not project more than twenty-eight (28) feet beyond the rear axle of the vehicle except in the special circumstance hereinafter prescribed. If such products project more than twenty-eight (28) feet beyond the rear axle and, due to the end use for which they are intended (such as tall utility poles or light poles or the like), such products cannot be shortened without rendering them useless for the finished product for which they have been cut, then such special circumstance may be considered good cause for the obtaining of a permit which shall be procured pursuant to Section 63-5-51, Mississippi Code of 1972, before vehicles transporting such products may operate. Any vehicle transporting projecting loads as described in this subsection shall operate only during daylight hours, and the load on vehicles designed to transport forestry products shall be secured by at least two (2) chains, two (2) wire ropes, or two (2) nylon straps, one (1) positioned behind the front bolster and one (1) in front of the back bolster.

SECTION 4. Section 63-5-51, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-5-51. (1) (a) The Mississippi Transportation Commission, with respect to highways under its jurisdiction, and local authorities, with respect to highways under their jurisdiction may, in their discretion, upon application in writing and good cause being shown therefor, issue a special permit in writing authorizing the applicant to operate or move a vehicle or combination of vehicles of a size or weight of vehicle or load exceeding the maximum specified in this chapter or otherwise not in conformity with the provisions of this chapter upon any highway under the jurisdiction of the party granting such permit and for the maintenance of which said party is responsible.

(b) The application for any such permit shall specifically describe the general operation and load to be moved, and the particular highways for which the permit to operate is requested, and whether such permit is requested for a single trip, or for continuous operation.

(c) The Mississippi Transportation Commission or local authority is authorized to issue or withhold such permit at its discretion. If such permit is issued, the Mississippi Transportation Commission or local authority is authorized to limit the number of trips, or to establish seasonal or other time limitations within which the vehicles described may be operated on the highways indicated, or otherwise to limit or prescribe conditions of operation of such vehicle or vehicles, when necessary to assure against undue damage to the road foundations, surfaces or structures. The Mississippi Transportation Commission or local authority may require such undertaking or other security as may be deemed necessary to compensate for any injury to any roadway or road structure.

(d) Every such permit shall be carried in the vehicle or combination of vehicles to which it refers and shall be open to inspection by any police officer or authorized agent of any authority granting such permit, and no person shall violate any of the terms or conditions of such special permit. However, permits covering the number of vehicles anticipated in any operation may be issued by the commission.

(2) The Mississippi Transportation Commission or local authorities, in their discretion, upon application in writing and good cause being shown therefor, may issue a permit authorizing the commercial movement of one or more recreational vehicles or motor homes which comply with the provisions of Section 63-5-13. Such permits shall be valid for one (1) year from the date they are issued. A copy of the permit shall be carried with all such vehicles while they are being moved. The provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to the commercial movement of vehicles under a permit issued pursuant to this subsection if such vehicles comply with Section 63-5-13.

SECTION 5. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2000.