House committee backs bill to make 88,000‑pound truck limit permanent after GDOT bridge review

The Georgia House Transportation Committee voted to give House Bill 164 a do‑pass recommendation after hearing testimony that keeping a temporary increase to truck weights would help agribusinesses and timber haulers while GDOT continues a multiyear study of bridge impacts.

Supporters told the committee the additional 4,000 pounds — which raises the legal gross vehicle weight allowance to 88,000 pounds for specified commodities — has reduced trips, lowered fuel costs and helped disaster response. GDOT officials described steps already taken after a 2023 law increased allowed weights and said the agency is monitoring bridges and pavements to measure long‑term effects.

Representative Sharon Meeks, sponsor of House Bill 164, told the committee the bill “simply removes the sunset” that would otherwise expire the higher weight allowance and includes “cleanup language to allow local law enforcement to continue” enforcement provisions. Meeks said data from motor carrier compliance officials and industry had been “positive,” and that “the sole issue of weight has not been the cause of crashes.”

Harry Sanders, who identified himself as a third‑generation logger from Cochran, told the committee, “We’re asking for 4 more thousand pounds. It might not seem a lot to some people, but for me, my family … it is a big deal.” Sanders described fuel and equipment cost pressures and said the extra weight…