StoriesMarch 4, 2014

The House Transportation Committee somewhat reluctantly recommended approval Tuesday of legislation that gives sanitation firms a little leeway on truck weight limits.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Dan Johnson, R-Lewiston, allows sanitation trucks to exceed gross weight, bridge or axle weight limits by a total of 2,000 pounds.

The measure is intended to address situations where operators unintentionally exceed weight restrictions because of inclement weather or other factors.

Johnson noted that garbage collection routes in rural areas often extend for 100 miles or more. The weather may be fine on one part of the route and pouring rain or snowing in another part. This results in uneven loading, which may cause the trucks to exceed single-axle weight limits.

This bill tries to address these situations,” Johnson said.

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Farm trucks received a similar exception last year. Some committee members, however, worried that extending it to sanitation trucks would lead to a “slippery slope,” with all industries eventually getting the same leeway.

Johnson noted the 2,000-pound leeway doesn't apply in cases of posted bridge weight limits, seasonal weight restrictions or on interstate highways.

The committee recommended approval of the bill on a voice vote. It's already passed the Senate, so it now goes to the House floor for a final vote.

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