TRUCK WEIGHT RESTRICTION SUNSET S.B. 779: ENROLLED SUMMARY




Senate Bill 779 (as enrolled) PUBLIC ACT 83 of 2006 Sponsor: Senator Jud Gilbert, II
Senate Committee: Transportation
House Committee: Transportation


Date Completed: 12-20-06

CONTENT
The bill amended the Michigan Vehicle Code to eliminate the December 31, 2006, sunset on a provision that makes an exception to the Code's weight restrictions for a combination of truck tractor and semitrailer with up to five axles used to haul agricultural commodities.

The Code prescribes "normal loading maximums" that an individual axle may not exceed based on the distance between the axles. When normal loading is in effect, the Michigan Department of Transportation or a county road commission may designate certain highways, or sections of those highways, where bridges and road surfaces are adequate for heavier loading, and revise the designation as needed. On the designated highways, on a combination of truck tractor and semitrailer with up to five axles, two consecutive sets of tandem axles may carry a gross permissible weight of up to 16,000 pounds per axle, if there is no other axle within nine feet of any axle of the assembly.


On a vehicle with this configuration, 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, except when reduced maximum loads are in effect during March, April, and May. Previously, these provisions would not have applied after December 31, 2006. The bill deleted that sunset.


The bill took effect on March 29, 2006.


MCL 257.722


Legislative Analyst: Julie Koval

FISCAL IMPACT
The bill will have no fiscal impact on State or local government.


Fiscal Analyst: Debra Hollon

Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. sb779/0506