Committee introduces bill to require covers on sand and gravel hauls amid safety concerns

Representative Clay Handy introduced RS31908, a proposal to require sand and gravel haulers to cover loads, arguing increased traffic and fuller trailers have raised risks to motorists.

Handy, a state representative from District 27, told the committee that growing highway congestion and heavier loading practices have resulted in more material leaving trucks and damaging following vehicles. “If you saw a dump truck way up ahead and it was loaded, then you didn't get very close to it,” Handy said, describing how more traffic now forces motorists closer to loaded trucks. He said speed and fuller trailers are primary causes of material leaving the beds and damaging windshields.

The bill, as explained by Handy, would require tarping except for certain local users such as canal companies, irrigation districts and similar entities operating in short local trips. Handy said exemptions remain for those short-radius operations and for hot asphalt mix, which he said tends to stick together.

Committee members raised questions during debate. Representative Harris noted potential costs to small contractors and said she had researched tarping systems that sell for about $1,000 “not installed.” Representative Mitchell asked where a proposed $200 fine would be deposited and whether the bill’s fiscal note accurately reflected no physical impact; Handy responded that fines would likely go to the county where the violation occurred. Representative Clow flagged an apparent timing issue between the bill’s emergency clause and a training deadline in the bill text, asking for clarification on when training for law enforcement would be completed.

Handy defended the $200 fine as a reasonable deterrent compared with replacing multiple windshields — “if you pay for very many windshields, then you'll find that it's probably a good business choice,” he said — and suggested any differentiated enforcement would be easier tied to speed limits rather than county boundaries.

Representative Crane moved to introduce RS31908. The committee voted by roll call to introduce the bill: Monks, Crane, Handy, Hill, Petzke, Boyle, Clow, Mickelson, Pohanka, Gannon, Green Morley and the chair voted aye; Mitchell, Shepherd and Harris voted no. The motion carried (12 ayes, 3 no).

The bill was introduced for further consideration; the transcript records discussion of enforcement, exemptions and training but no final policy decisions beyond introduction.