Resolve, To Assist Maine's Forest Products Industry

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

Sec. 1. Gross vehicle weight limits for 6-axle combination vehicles carrying forest products. Resolved: That, notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 29-A, section 2354 or 2357, on and after the effective date of this section but before April 1, 2008, a vehicle otherwise subject to the weight limit established in section 2354, subsection 2 is subject to a temporary tolerance and is not in violation of that weight limit if the vehicle is carrying forest products and its gross vehicle weight is less than 105,000 pounds. This temporary tolerance does not otherwise affect the application of the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 29-A, section 2354 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.