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By Clint Thompson
Georgia’s House Bill (HB) 164, otherwise known as the truck weights bill, passed through the house and is now awaiting discussion by the senate, says Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC) President Will Bentley.
“Truck weights has gone over to the senate. We are expecting that to get a hearing, probably right after crossover day, is what we’ve been told. It sailed through the house, had a really positive vote in the House and now is waiting for crossover day to pass on Thursday,” Bentley said. “We have been told it will potentially be one of the first bills heard in senate transportation after crossover day.”
The Georgia Agribusiness Council and similar stakeholder groups pushed for a law two years ago that would allow trucks to transport up to 88,000 pounds of agricultural and timber products. However, there was a sunset clause attached. HB 164 would eliminate the sunset clause and make the higher weight limit permanent.
“We think it’ll be a similar discussion and hopefully a similar positive vote once the senate takes that up. That bill is simply removing the sunset and keep everything at 88,000 pounds; remove that expiration date that was quickly looming later this year and keep everything the same for ag and forestry products,” Bentley said.
The Georgia Forestry Association, Georgia Farm Bureau, Georgia Poultry Federation and Georgia Agribusiness Council support the bill because it improves efficiency and lowers transportation expenses.