Committee introduces bill to require tarping of sand and gravel loads after lawmakers cite windshield damage

The Transportation and Defense Committee introduced legislation Thursday that would require most sand and gravel haulers to cover their loads on public roads, citing increased traffic and repeated reports of damaged vehicle windshields.

Representative Clay Handy (District 27) told the committee he is sponsoring RS31908, which would require covered loads except for operations that move material only within tight local radii, such as canal companies and irrigation and drainage districts. "It's the speed, not necessarily how full the trailer is, but it's the speed that creates, most of it," Handy said, arguing that higher traffic volumes make uncovered loads more hazardous than when the original rule was adopted.

The bill would narrow the prior exemption that allowed loads kept six inches below sideboards to travel uncovered. Handy and others said modern hauling practices and larger permitted gross vehicle weights have increased the volume of material that can be carried without the old height limitation, producing more debris on highways.

Supporters, including the Idaho Trucking Association, drafted the proposal, Handy said. Committee members raised enforcement and cost concerns. Representative Harris cited the cost of tarping systems, saying, "It's around $1,000 not installed." Harris asked whether the problem could instead be addressed through stricter enforcement of existing law. Handy replied that exemptions were intended for short-radius operations and that a mileage-based exemption would be difficult to enforce.

Members also discussed penalties and implementation details. Committee members asked where a proposed $200 fine would be deposited; Handy said he expected it would go to the county in which an offense occurred. Representative Clow flagged a possible timing issue: RS31908 includes an emergency clause and a training deadline for law enforcement that committee members said appeared inconsistent. "It does a little bit of confusion there," a committee member said as members agreed to resolve wording before formal introduction.

The committee voted by roll call to introduce the bill. The roll call recorded 12 ayes and 2 nos; the motion carried and the bill will be printed for further consideration.

The committee also discussed the higher cost of modern windshields and the insurance impact should replacements increase; one member noted that certain camera-equipped windshields can cost about $2,000 to replace and that multiple claims could affect premiums. No further amendments were adopted at the introduction stage, and the committee directed staff to prepare RS31908 for formal filing.

Votes at a glance: Motion to introduce RS31908 — moved by Representative Crane; second not specified — Roll-call recorded: Monks: aye; Shepherd: no; Crane: aye; Handy: aye; Hill: aye; Petzke: aye; Boyle: aye; Clow: aye; Harris: no; Mickelson: aye; Pohanka: aye; Gannon: aye; Green Morley: aye; Chairman Palmer: aye. Outcome: motion carried; bill introduced.