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State bill to raise log-truck weight limits discussed by county representative
Summary
Representative Van Smith briefed the Chilton County Commission on a state-level bill that would raise overall weight limits for log trucks; he said the Senate version was acceptable to county interests and described concerns about axle weights and road wear.
Representative Van Smith told commissioners a bill that passed the Senate and is now in the House would increase overall weight allowances for log trucks and that county governments should be able to live with its provisions.
"It's been proposed that we increase weight limits on, log trucks," Representative Van Smith said, explaining that the axle configuration of pulpwood trucks often causes individual axles to be overweight even when the truck’s total weight is within limits.
Van Smith said split-scale weighing makes enforcement difficult and that the Senate bill aims to balance the timber industry’s needs with protection for county roads and bridges. "We already give them a 10% allowance. 80,000 pounds is what we're supposed to do. 10% overage is almost 90,000 pounds," he said, adding that timber industry negotiators had not been willing to make large concessions.
A commissioner asked whether dump trucks were included. Van Smith replied that dump trucks are treated differently: they already pay a severance by weight at pits and the county receives funds for road repairs from those operations; the bill under discussion focuses on log trucks and their axle distributions.
No formal county action or vote on the bill was taken at the meeting; Representative Van Smith offered to answer questions and to provide further information as the House considers the measure.
The commission did not record any formal direction to staff or a vote on the state bill during the session.
