SB 262

This bill creates special highway weight limits for certain vehicles transporting

maple sap or syrup.

Under current law, in general, no person may operate on a highway any vehicle

or combination of vehicles that exceeds certain statutory weight limits unless that

person obtains a permit issued by the Department of Transportation or a local

highway authority. Among the weight limitations are, generally, limitations on the

gross weight imposed on the highway by the wheels of any one axle or by consecutive

axles of the vehicle. In general, the maximum weight that may be imposed on the

highway by one axle is 20,000 pounds and the maximum weight that may be imposed

on the highway by two axles that are eight or fewer feet apart is 35,000 pounds.

Currently, special higher weight limits are provided for certain vehicles

transporting milk or other dairy supplies and products (dairy vehicles). Specifically,

for dairy vehicles, the maximum weight that may be imposed on the highway by one

axle is 21,000 pounds and the maximum weight that may be imposed on the highway

by two axles that are eight or fewer feet apart is 37,000 pounds. Also, for groups of

three or more consecutive axles more than nine feet apart on a dairy vehicle, the axles

may impose on the highway a weight of 2,000 pounds more than is allowed under

general rules. The total weight of the dairy vehicle, however, may not exceed 80,000

pounds.

This bill extends the special weight limits for dairy vehicles to vehicles

transporting maple sap or syrup from the point of collection or production to storage

or the primary market.

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.