TRUCK WEIGHT SUNSET

Senate Bill 779

Sponsor:  Sen. Jud Gilbert, II

House Committee:  Transportation

Senate Committee:  Transportation

Complete to 3-6-06

A SUMMARY OF SENATE BILL 779 AS PASSED BY THE SENATE 1-31-06

The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to remove a December 31, 2006, sunset on a weight restriction for a combination of truck tractor and semitrailer with no more than five axles and used to haul agricultural commodities.  This means the bill would leave the current Vehicle Code language in effect indefinitely.

Currently, on a vehicle described above, two consecutive sets of tandem axles may carry a gross permissible weight of up to 17,000 pounds on any axle of the tandem axles if there is no other axle within nine feet of any axle of the tandem axles and if the first and last axles of the consecutive sets of tandem axles are at least 36 feet apart and the gross vehicle weight does not exceed 80,000 pounds to pick up and deliver agricultural commodities between the National Truck Network or special designated highways and any other highway. This provision does not apply during periods when reduced maximum loads are in effect under the code.

Currently, these provisions are not to apply after December 31, 2006, but the bill would remove the sunset date.

MCL 257.722

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would have no fiscal impact on state or local government.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Chris Couch 

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.