STATEHOUSE (March 29, 2017) – Legislation authored by State Rep. Bill Friend (R-Macy) that would give truck drivers some leeway when transporting wood products passed out of the Senate unanimously.
Current law allows farmers to transport agricultural products such as wheat, corn and beans at 10 percent over the weight limit if there is not a scale available. Under House Bill 1447, wood products, including logs, sawdust, shavings and woodchips would be treated the same way.
“When farmers load their trucks in woodlots, typically there isn’t a scale readily available,” Friend said. “It is hard to be completely accurate when loading under these circumstances, and this bill would allow farmers and truckers a bit of latitude when hauling from locations that do not have scales.”
Friend said the bill would not let overweight vehicles off the hook, but it would align with requirements already in state law for other agricultural commodities. Friend worked with the Indiana Hardwood Lumber Association, the Indiana State Police, the Indiana Motor Truck Association and the railroads in authoring this legislation.
Additionally, House Bill 1447 would protect drivers who unknowingly transport an overweight tractor-semitrailer. Currently, if a truck gets checked and is found overweight, the driver can receive points against their license. Under this proposal, the BMV would not be able to assess points against the driver’s commercial driver’s license in these situations.
House Bill 1447 is now eligible for consideration by the governor. Visit iga.in.gov to learn more about this bill.
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State Rep. Bill Friend (R-Macy) represents House District 23,
which includes portions of Cass, Fulton and Miami counties.
A high-resolution photo of Friend can be downloaded by clicking here.
