Panel advances bill to raise gross vehicle weight limit for electric commercial trucks

A South Carolina House committee on [date not specified] voted to advance House Bill 3,944, which would raise the maximum gross vehicle weight for commercially operated, battery-powered trucks from 80,000 pounds to 82,000 pounds. The committee adopted a one-line amendment that adds a sunset for the change, saying the provision will expire in February (year not specified).

The bill summary was read to the committee by staff member Mr. Vaughn, who said the increase is primarily intended for commercial motor vehicles “primarily powered by an electric battery.” Committee members debated an amendment and then moved to report the bill favorably as amended to the next stage of consideration.

On the amendment, the committee recorded that the measure was adopted by a vote of 13 to 1. On the full bill, the committee reported the measure favorably as amended by a vote of 12 to 2. The roll calls during the committee hearing recorded multiple members saying “aye”; Representative Frank and Representative Gilreath were recorded as voting “nay” in the latter roll call.

Committee members did not specify a funding source or implementation timeline in the committee record. The amendment’s sunset was described in committee as a temporary measure to allow for potential future changes in battery weight or vehicle construction; the transcript did not specify which year in February the provision would expire.

The committee’s action advances the bill to the next step in the legislative process; no further detail on subsequent scheduling or enactment timelines was provided at the hearing.