TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PERMITS FOR SPECIAL CARGOES; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ISSUANCE OF A PERMIT FOR SPECIAL CARGO TRANSPORTED BY A FARM MACHINERY EQUIPMENT HAULER.

SB 496 amends Arkansas law concerning permits for transporting special cargo, primarily affecting farm machinery equipment dealers, haulers, and repair persons. It clarifies that a special permit is not required for these individuals when delivering new or used farm equipment to a farm or transporting it for repairs. The bill also allows the Arkansas Department of Transportation to issue a one-year special permit for vehicles hauling farm machinery up to 12 feet wide, for a fee not exceeding $500 per vehicle. Haulers obtaining these permits are responsible for safe routing, and the department may require a bond to cover potential highway damage or extrication costs.