Whereas, to keep Maine truck drivers competitive and employed during the winter and spring seasons, this issue of restricting the use of larger trailers to haul certain products must be resolved before the end of the legislative session; 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 §2390, sub-§1, ¶K is enacted to read:

K.__Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, a full trailer or semitrailer transporting sawdust, wood shavings or wood chips whose structural length exceeds 48 feet but does not exceed 53 feet may be operated in combination with a truck tractor if the overall length of the combination of truck tractor and full trailer or semitrailer does not exceed 74 feet, including all structural parts of the vehicle, permanent or temporary.__ The wheelbase of a trailer or semitrailer exceeding 48 feet must be the same as that of a trailer or semitrailer whose structural length is 48 feet.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This bill increases the length limit of trailers and semitrailers hauling sawdust, shavings or wood chips from 48 feet to 53 feet, as long as the overall length does not exceed 74 feet when combined with the truck. The wheelbase axle distance must remain the same as that of a 48-foot trailer or semitrailer.