SB 1128

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.