An Act To Assist Maine's Forest Products Industry
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 2155
Committee: Transportation
Sponsors: MARLEY, SCHNEIDER, BROWNE, CEBRA, CLEARY, DUCHESNE, FISHER, HAYES, JACKSON, MAZUREK, PEOPLES, PRATT, THERIAULT, THOMAS, DAMON, DIAMOND, ROSEN, WESTON
Amends: 29-A MRSA §2357

Legislative Document 
No. 2155 
H.P.1532 
House of Representatives, January 15,2008 
An Act To Assist Maine's Forest Products Industry 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Transportation suggested and ordered printed. 
7Jl~ 
1?1.11!Q£~ 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative MARLEY of Portland. (GOVERNOR'S BILL) 
Cosponsored by Senator SCHNEIDER of Penobscot and 
Representatives: BROWNE of Vassalboro, CEBRA of Naples, CLEARY of Houlton, 
DUCHESNE of Hudson, FISHER of Brewer, HAYES of Buckfield, JACKSON of Allagash, 
MAZUREK of Rockland, PEOPLES of Westbrook, PRATT of Eddington, THERIAULT of 
Madawaska, THOMAS of Ripley, Senators: DAMON of Hancock, DIAMOND of 
Cumberland, ROSEN of Hancock, SA V AGE of Knox, WESTON of Waldo. 
Pnl1teJ nil recycleu pa~r 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, Maine is dependent on its natural resources-based economy; and 
Whereas, the price of diesel fuel in Maine is at an all-time high and is devastating 
the Maine economy, especially with regard to loggers and truckers carrying forest 
products; and 
Whereas, Governor John E. Baldacci has already issued a Declaration of Civil 
Emergency regarding the high price of diesel fuel and its impact on the State's forest 
products industry; and 
Whereas, the Coalition to Lower Fuel Prices in Maine was recently established and 
has been meeting to find solutions to the high price of diesel fuel; and 
Whereas, an increase of the gross vehicle weight of 6-axle tractor-trailers of 5% 
from 100,000 pounds to 105,000 pounds can be tolerated by Maine's roads and bridges 
when allowed for a short duration; and 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore, 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §2357, sub-§7, as amended by PL 2001, c. 513, §1, is 
further amended to read: 
7. Penalty calculation; fine base and fine schedule. When a weight tolerance 
established in this section is exceeded, the difference between the actual weight and the 
fine base for the tolerance must be used as the basis for determining the percentage of 
overload in the appropriate fine schedule and the tolerance must be disregarded. For a 6-
axle combination vehicle described in subsection 4 that is registered for 100,000 pounds, 
the fine base for the gross vehicle weight is 100,000 pounds and the fine schedule in 
section 2354 applies. Violations for gross vehicle weight between 100,000 pounds and 
105,000 pounds for a 6-axle combination vehicle that is registered for 100,000 pounds 
carrying forest products are waived until April 1, 2008. For a 6-axle combination vehicle 
described in subsection 4 that is registered for less than 100,000 pounds, the fine base for 
gross vehicle weight is 90,000 pounds and the fine schedule in section 2360 applies. For 
all other vehicles operating under the gross vehicle weight tolerances in subsection 2, and 
for all vehicles operating under the axle unit weight tolerances in subsection 2, the fine 
base is the appropriate limit in section 2353 and the fine schedule in section 2360 applies. 
Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
Page I - 123LR34S0(Ol)-1 
SUMMARY 
This bill waives gross vehicle weight violations between 100,000 and 105,000 
pounds for 6-ax1e combination vehicles registered for 100,000 pounds carrying forest 
products until April 1, 2008.