Axle Weight Increase
The Alabama Forestry Association is pushing SB 110 with Sen. Jack Williams and HB 204 by Rep. Donna Givens. This proposal would increase axle weights for log trucks only to 22,000 lbs. per axle (from 20,000) with a 10% tolerance per axle. On a tandem axle, this bill would allow log trucks to load to 44,000 lbs. (up from 40,000) with a 10% tolerance, so 48,000 lbs. The bill does not change the total gross weight limit. The legal gross weight limit in Alabama on county and state roads is 80,000 lbs. with a 10% tolerance (88,400 lbs.), which remains unchanged.
This initiative is opposed by ALDOT, ALEA and the Association of County Commissions of Alabama, who say increased axle weights threaten road and bridge integrity. Proponents say the proposed weight increases are needed because current per-axle limits, and the citations drivers get for being over the limit are hurting their industry, driving up costs and slowing productivity.
The bill also limits the number of trucks that could be stopped at temporary, roadside weight checkpoints to three at a time. Additionally, it would allow drivers to streamline their appeals process when they receive an overweight ticket using portable scales. This process would include submitting their ticket from ALEA, their certified platform scale ticket from the mill, and an affidavit confirming the truck load was not altered in route to the mill. After this process, ALEA would then void the ticket.
SB 110 has passed the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee and is pending action by the full Senate.
PBM Bills
Two separate Pharmacy Benefit Manager reform bills received a public hearing two weeks ago in the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee. The bills did not move last week, but the two separate sponsors have reportedly agreed to a comprise bill that will filed soon. The original bills were already very similar to one another, so the comprise bill isn’t expected to make many changes. ATA has co-signed a letter drafted by the Business Council of Alabama in opposition to the original bills. The original bills would have increases Alabama’s prescription drug cost by more than $347 million annually. It’s expected that this new bill will do the same.
Move On When Ready Act
SB 196 by Sen. Arthur Orr would allow high school juniors and senior to leave high school, enroll full-time in a community college, and still earn their diploma. The bill would also cover cover the cost of community college courses for eligible students. The bill passed through the Senate Ways and Means Education Committee last week.
Oversized Vehicle Permits
Electric utilities would gain exemption from oversize vehicle permits if HB323 by Rep. Donna Givens continues to move through the legislative process. The bill which is opposed by ALDOT was approved by the House Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure Committee last Thursday.
