FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 1470

                                   C 6 L 88

BYRepresentatives Baugher, Schmidt and Walk; by request of Department of Transportation

Regulating tandem-axle vehicles.

House Committe on Transportation

Senate Committee on Transportation

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

Current law is very restrictive in its definition of what constitutes tandem axles on trucks.  They must "oscillate" in order to equalize the load between axles and reduce pavement wear.  The conventional wisdom of the late 1950's was that a common pivot point between the two axles provided for weight equality.  Many trucks are now equipped with pneumatic suspension systems that perform as well as suspension systems equipped with an oscillating mechanism in equalizing the weight of the load being carried.

SUMMARY:

The definition of "tandem axles" is modified to accommodate a wider variety of technical developments and allow the use of different types of axle suspensions for oversize and overweight vehicles.  A maximum variance of 3,000 pounds is allowed between tandem axles.  The legal load limitation on tandem axles remains at 34,000 pounds.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 97   0

      Senate    47     0

EFFECTIVE:June 9, 1988