SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5139

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As of January 19, 2001

Title:  An act relating to excess weight permits for trucks hauling certain bulk agricultural commodities.

Brief Description:  Authorizing excess weight permits for certain agricultural commodity trucks.

Sponsors:  Senators Morton, Haugen, Parlette, Hewitt, Rasmussen, Hochstatter, Oke, McCaslin, Swecker, Stevens, Honeyford, Benton, Roach, Johnson and Sheahan.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  1/23/01.

______________________________________________________________________________SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Staff:  Dean Carlson (786‑7305)

Background:  Commercial vehicles have restrictions on their gross weight and on the weight per axle or axle grouping.  When it is reasonable and necessary for vehicles to carry a load that will exceed these weight limitations, the carrier  may apply in writing for a special permit (if they have an adequate number of axles) from the Department of Transportation (DOT).  In the special permitting process, DOT checks the route for restrictions and structures the carrier may encounter and either approves the route or requires them to take an alternate route.  Commercial vehicles that are carrying a load that is "reducible," meaning it can reasonably be made lighter, cannot be granted special permits.  Generally, agricultural products are considered reducible loads.

Summary of Bill:  DOT is authorized to issue a 30-day special permit for overweight trucks hauling cereal grains, dry peas, lentils and canola from the field to a point of storage no more than 35 miles away from the field.  The fee is set at $3.50 per thousand pounds overweight.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 15 2001.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.