Energy emergencies and vehicle weight limits. (FE)

Current law defines an energy emergency as a period of disruption of energy supplies which poses a serious risk to the economic well-being, health, or welfare of the citizens of this state, as certified by executive order of the governor. During an energy emergency, after consultation with the Department of Administration (DOA), DOT may authorize, for a period not to exceed 30 days, the operation of overweight vehicles weighing 50,000 pounds or more and carrying energy resources or fuel or milk commodities designated by the governor to exceed statutory per-axle weight limits by up to 10 percent and statutory gross vehicle weight limits by up to 15 percent. For vehicles operating under an overweight or oversize permit, DOT may also waive the requirement, for issuance of certain permits, that the load being transported be nondivisible.

Under this bill, during an energy emergency, DOT, after consultation with DOA, may authorize motor vehicles that have a gross weight of 26,000 pounds or less and that are transporting propane or heating oil for delivery to residences, businesses, or other end users to exceed posted special weight limits that have been imposed in connection with the thawing of frozen highways. A person operating a motor vehicle under this authorization must, to the extent practicable, deliver propane or heating oil at times of the day when the highways used are the least vulnerable.

Under current law, if any bill introduced in either house of the legislature directly or indirectly establishes an exception to vehicle weight limitations, DOT must prepare a report, containing specified information, relating to the bill within six weeks after the bill is introduced and before any vote is taken on the bill. This bill directs DOT not to prepare such a report on this bill.