SB 198

This bill provides that heavy-duty vehicles with idle reduction technology and

vehicles that operate on natural gas may exceed certain weight limits.

Under current law, with limited exceptions, no person may operate on a

highway any vehicle or combination of vehicles that exceeds certain statutory weight

limits unless the person obtains a permit issued by the Department of

Transportation or a local authority.

Under current law, a heavy-duty vehicle equipped with idle reduction

technology may exceed statutory weight limits by 400 pounds or the weight of the idle

reduction technology, whichever is less. This bill increases the amount by which

these vehicles may exceed statutory weight limits to 550 pounds. This bill also

provides that vehicles fueled primarily by natural gas may exceed statutory weight

limits by an amount equal to the difference between the weight of the natural gas fuel

system and a comparable diesel fuel system or 2,000 pounds, whichever is less.

Under current law, for any bill that establishes an exception to vehicle weight

limits, DOT must prepare a report containing specified information within six weeks

after the bill is introduced. This bill directs DOT not to prepare a report for this bill.