A bill in the Wisconsin Assembly gets tough with truck drivers who fail to cover most loose bulk loads. It also would require rear fenders and mudguards on more trucks.

The Assembly Committee on Highway Safety is reviewing a measure that would require such loads as sand, gravel, dirt or rock to be covered “to prevent the load from dropping or sifting from the vehicle when transported on a highway.”

Sponsored by Assemblywoman Peggy Krusick, D-Milwaukee, the bill would fine violators up to $200.

The bill – AB726 – would exempt trucks hauling certain plants, plant parts, animals or animal products from the proposed tarping rule.

Krusick’s effort also wouldn’t apply to bulk material applied to a highway or for winter snow or ice treatment.

In addition, Wisconsin law doesn’t require large trucks and trailers with dump bodies to be equipped with rear fenders or mudguards.

The bill would change the rule to require such vehicles to be equipped with mudguards and “establishes minimum specifications for mudguards on vehicles transporting sand, gravel, dirt, rock, refuse or similar bulk material.”

Anyone found in violation would face a fine between $100 and $200.

Wisconsin isn’t the only state this year to pursue tougher rules on hauling loose loads.

A new Texas law closes the loophole that prevented police in the state from cracking down on tarping laws.

Effective Sept. 1, the new law allows police to ticket anyone not covering their load with a tarp, whether it’s in the process of spilling something or not.

It also allows judges to increase fines for violations.

Previously, Texas rules required truck drivers to cover loose loads with a tarp. However, for any trucker to be found in violation, an officer was required to actually see something, such as sand, gravel or dirt, fall out of a truck.

A truck driver could haul a load legally without being tarped or covered, as long as it wasn’t blowing or spilling. Once a truck’s load starts falling out, that was a violation.