GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2007

HOUSE BILL 2167

RATIFIED BILL

AN ACT to INCREASE the width of boats that may be transported on highway routes during the day and night without a permit and to provide for an annual permit as opposed to a single trip permit for oversize boats.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  G.S. 20-116 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:

"§ 20-116.  Size of vehicles and loads.

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(m) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, a boat or boat trailer with an outside width of less than 120 inches may be towed without a permit. The towing of a boat or boat trailer 102 inches to 114 inches in width may take place on any day of the week, including weekends and holidays, and may take place at night. The towing of a boat or boat trailer 114 inches to 120 inches in width may take place on any day of the week, including weekends and holidays from sun up to sun down. A boat or boat trailer in excess of 102 inches but less than 120 inches must be equipped with a minimum of two operable amber lamps on the widest point of the boat and the boat trailer such that the dimensions of the boat and the boat trailer are clearly marked and visible."

SECTION 2.  G.S. 20-119(g) reads as rewritten:

"§ 20-119.  Special permits for vehicles of excessive size or weight; fees.

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(g)       The Department of Transportation shall issue annual overwidth permits for the following: vehicles

(1) A vehicle carrying agricultural equipment or machinery from the dealer to the farm or from the farm to the dealer that do does not exceed 14 feet in width. These permits shall be A permit issued under this subdivision is valid for unlimited movement without escorts on all State highways where the overwidth vehicles do vehicle does not exceed posted bridge and load limits.

(2) A boat or boat trailer whose outside width equals or exceeds 120 inches. A permit issued under this subdivision must restrict a vehicle's towing of the boat or boat trailer to daylight hours only."

SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 17^th day of July, 2008.

                                                                        _____________________________________

                                                                         Beverly E. Perdue

                                                                         President of the Senate

                                                                        _____________________________________

                                                                         Joe Hackney

                                                                         Speaker of the House of Representatives

                                                                        _____________________________________

                                                                         Michael F. Easley

                                                                         Governor

Approved __________.m. this ______________ day of ___________________, 2008