Resolve, To Provide Temporary Weight Limits for Trucks Carrying Forest Products (AFTER DEADLINE)
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 2214
Committee: Transportation
Sponsors: COTTA, DIAMOND, CURTIS, EATON, EDGECOMB, LANSLEY, SCHATZ, SIROIS, THIBODEAU, DAMON

Legislative Document 
No. 2214 
H.P. 1581 
House of Representatives, February 14,2008 
Resolve, To Provide Temporary Weight Limits for Trucks Carrying 
Forest Products 
(AFTER DEADLINE) 
(EMERGENCY) 
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
205. 
Reference to the Committee on Transportation suggested and ordered printed. 
Presented by Representative COTTA of China. 
Cosponsored by Senator DIAMOND of Cumberland and 
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1J? 71l1L&~{ 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Representatives: CURTIS of Madison, EATON of Sullivan, EDGECOMB of Caribou, 
LANSLEY of Sabattus, SCHATZ of Blue Hill, SIROIS of Tumer, THIBODEAU of 
Winterport. Senator: DAMON of Hancock. 
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I 
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 
II 
has been meeting to find solutions to the high price of diesel fuel; and 
Whereas, an increase in weight limits for certain trucks carrying forest products 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 
Sec. 1. 
Weight limits for certain vehicles carrying forest products. 
Resolved: That, notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 29-A, section 2353 
or 2357, on and after the effective date of this section but before April 1,2008, a vehicle 
otherwise subject to the weight limits established in section 2353, subsections 1 and 4 is 
subject to a temporary tolerance and is not in violation of those weight limits if the 
vehicle is carrying forest products and its gross vehicle weight and axle weights are less 
than the applicable weight limits specified in section 2353, subsections I and 4 plus 5%. 
This temporary tolerance does not otherwise affect the application of the Maine Revised 
Statutes, Title 29-A, section 2353 or 2357 or the base fine for vehicles that exceed this 
temporary tolerance. 
Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
I 
This resolve provides that, on and after the effective date of this resolve but before 
April 1, 2008, certain vehicles carrying forest products may weigh 5% more than they 
would otherwise be allowed to weigh. 
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