WOOD HARVESTER DEFINITION

Senate Bill 1035

Sponsor:  Sen. Mike Prusi

Senate Committee:  Transportation

House Committee:  Transportation

Complete to 3-16-06

A SUMMARY OF SENATE BILL 1035 AS PASSED BY THE SENATE 3-7-06

Senate Bill 1035 would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code (MCL 257.801) to revise the definition of "wood harvester" to specifically include a person hauling or transporting wood harvesting equipment.  Wood harvesters are entitled to a special vehicle registration plate and a reduced registration tax.

[Note:  Senate Bill 1035 addresses the same topic as House Bill 5641, which has been reported from the House Committee on Transportation and passed by the full House.]

Currently under the vehicle code, a "harvester" includes the person or persons hauling and transporting raw materials in the form produced at the harvest site.  (The code also specifies that the term "wood harvesting operations" does not include the transportation of processed lumber, Christmas trees, or processed firewood for a profit-making venture.)

Under Senate Bill 1035, "wood harvester" would be defined to include the person or person hauling and transporting raw materials in the form produced at the harvest site or hauling and transporting wood harvesting equipment.

Under the bill, "wood harvesting equipment" would be defined to include all of the following:

·                    A vehicle that directly harvests logs or timber, including a processor or a feller buncher. 

·                    A vehicle that directly processes harvested logs or timber, including a slasher, delimber, processor, chipper, or saw table.

·                    A vehicle that directly processes harvested logs or timber, including a forwarder, grapple skidder, or cable skidder.

·                    A vehicle that directly loads harvested logs or timber, including a knucle-boom loader, front-end loader, or forklift.           

·                    A bulldozer or road grader being transported to a wood harvesting site specifically for the purpose of building or maintaining harvest site roads.

           

The term "wood harvester" would not apply to a person or persons whose primary activity is tree-trimming or landscaping.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The provision that addresses the special plate for wood harvesters says it applies to a road tractor, truck, or truck tractor owned by a wood harvester and used exclusively in connection with the wood harvesting operations.  It then defines the term "wood harvester" as including the person or persons hauling and transporting raw materials in the form produced at the harvest site. 

The registration tax is based on the empty weight of the road tractor, truck, or truck tractor and is set at 74 cents per 100 pounds of empty weight.  This is same tax rate as for a road tractor, truck, or truck tractor owned by a farmer and used exclusively in connection with a farming operation.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would have an indeterminate fiscal impact.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Chris Couch

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Robin Risko

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.