An Act To Ensure the Alignment of Truck Weight Limitations on the Interstate with Those Allowed under Federal Law
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, federal law has been enacted to allow vehicles up to 100,000 pounds gross vehicle weight on all of the interstate system in the State for a period of 20 years; and
Whereas, in order to ensure that Maine is in conformity with the federal law, this legislation provides rule-making authority to the Commissioner of Transportation; and
Whereas, allowing heavier vehicles to travel on the interstate system in the State rather than on local roads promotes safety, reduces pollution and allows for more cost-effective commercial transportation; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,
Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §2355-A, as enacted by PL 2009, c. 469, §1 and affected by §2, is amended to read:
§ 2355-A. Six-axle truck weight exemption
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter to the contrary, for as long as the provisions of 23 United States Code, Section 127 (a) (11) affording an exemption from the federal vehicle weight limitations for vehicles operating on all portions of the interstate system are in effect, a 6-axle combination vehicle consisting of a 3-axle truck tractor with a tri-axle semitrailer having a maximum gross vehicle weight of 100,000 pounds may be operated on any portion of the interstate system consistent with this subchapter as it applies to the Maine Turnpike.
The Commissioner of Transportation may adopt routine technical rules, as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A, to ensure the implementation of the provisions of this section.
For the purposes of this section, "interstate system" has the same meaning as in Title 23, section 1903, subsection 3.
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.
summary
This bill allows the Commissioner of Transportation to adopt rules to ensure that the federal exemption allowing trucks with a maximum gross vehicle weight of 100,000 pounds on Maine's interstate system is implemented correctly.