Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Bill SB110 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1		-	~~SB110ENGROSSED~~
	1	+	SB110INTRODUCED
2	2		Page 0
3	3		SB110
4		-	2FDQISI-2
	4	+	2FDQISI-1
5	5		By Senators Williams, Sessions, Kelley, Beasley, Barfoot,
6	6		Stutts, Hatcher, Price, Chesteen, Smitherman, Livingston,
7	7		Allen, Bell, Shelnutt, Kitchens, Roberts, Waggoner
8	8		RFD: Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry
9	9		First Read: 05-Feb-25
10	10		1
11	11		2
12	12		3
13	13		4
14	14		5
15	15		6
16		-	7 ~~SB110 Engrossed~~
	16	+	7 2FDQISI-1 01/29/2025 ZAK (L)ZAK 2025-103
17	17		Page 1
18	18		First Read: 05-Feb-25
	19	+	SYNOPSIS:
	20	+	Under existing law, certain special trucks are
	21	+	provided exceptions to certain weight and length limits
	22	+	for highways in this state.
	23	+	This bill would add certain trucks to those that
	24	+	are excepted from these weight limits.
	25	+	Also under existing law, portable scales may be
	26	+	used to enforce these weight limits pursuant to certain
	27	+	specified procedures.
	28	+	This bill would further provide for an operator
	29	+	of a vehicle to verify the accuracy of portable scales.
	30	+	This bill would remove the authority of certain
	31	+	individuals to require vehicle operators to drive to
	32	+	stationary weigh scales to enforce these weight limits.
	33	+	This bill would also make nonsubstantive,
	34	+	technical revisions to update the existing code
	35	+	language to current style.
19	36		A BILL
20	37		TO BE ENTITLED
21	38		AN ACT
22		-	Relating to trucks; to amend Section 32-9-20, as last
23		-	amended by Act 2024-248, 2024 Regular Session, and Section
24		-	32-9-31, Code of Alabama 1975, to add certain trucks to those
25		-	excepted from weight limits on highways; to revise and further
26		-	provide procedures for using portable scales to enforce these
27		-	weight limits; to revise the authority of individuals
28		-	authorized to enforce these weight limits; and to make
29		-	nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the existing
30		-	code language to current style.
31		-	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
32		-	Section 1. Section 32-9-20, as last amended by Act
33		-	2024-248, 2024 Regular Session, and Section 32-9-31, Code of
34		-	Alabama 1975, are amended to read as follows:
35		-	"§32-9-20
36		-	(a) It shall be unlawful for any individual to drive or
37		-	move on any highway in this state any vehicle or vehicles of a
38		-	size or weight except in accordance with the following:
39		-	(1) HEIGHT. No vehicle, semitrailer, or trailer shall
40		-	exceed in height 13 1/2 feet, including load.
41		-	(2) LENGTH. No vehicle shall exceed in length 40 feet;
42	39		1
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68	65		27
69		-	28 SB110 ~~Engrossed~~
	66	+	28 SB110 INTRODUCED
70	67		Page 2
	68	+	Relating to trucks; to amend Section 32-9-20, as last
	69	+	amended by Act 2024-248, 2024 Regular Session, and Section
	70	+	32-9-31, Code of Alabama 1975, to add certain trucks to those
	71	+	excepted from weight limits on highways; to revise and further
	72	+	provide procedures for using portable scales to enforce these
	73	+	weight limits; to revise the authority of individuals
	74	+	authorized to enforce these weight limits; and to make
	75	+	nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the existing
	76	+	code language to current style.
	77	+	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
	78	+	Section 1. Section 32-9-20, as last amended by Act
	79	+	2024-248, 2024 Regular Session, and Section 32-9-31, Code of
	80	+	Alabama 1975, are amended to read as follows:
	81	+	"§32-9-20
	82	+	(a) It shall be unlawful for any individual to drive or
	83	+	move on any highway in this state any vehicle or vehicles of a
	84	+	size or weight except in accordance with the following:
	85	+	(1) HEIGHT. No vehicle, semitrailer, or trailer shall
	86	+	exceed in height 13 1/2 feet, including load.
71	87		(2) LENGTH. No vehicle shall exceed in length 40 feet;
72	88		except, that the length of a truck-semitrailer combination,
73	89		semitrailers, including load, used in a truck
74	90		tractor-semitrailer combination, shall not exceed 57 feet;
75	91		semitrailers and trailers, including load, used in a truck
76	92		tractor-semitrailer-trailer combination, shall not exceed 28
77	93		1/2 feet each; and motor vehicles designed, used, or
78	94		maintained primarily as a mobile dwelling, office, or
79	95		commercial space, commonly called motor homes, shall not
80		-	exceed 45 feet. Semitrailers exceeding 53 1/2 feet shall only
81		-	be operated on highways designated pursuant to Section 32-9-1
82		-	and shall only be operated when the distance between the
83		-	kingpin of a semitrailer and the rearmost axle or a point
84		-	midway between the two rear axles, if the two rear axles are
85		-	tandem axles, does not exceed 41 feet and if the semitrailer
86		-	is equipped with a rear underride guard of a substantial
87		-	construction consisting of a continuous lateral beam extending
88		-	to within four inches of the lateral extremities of the
89		-	semitrailer and located not more than 22 inches from the
90		-	surface as measured with the semitrailer empty and on a level
91		-	surface. For purposes of enforcement of this subdivision,
92		-	lengths of semitrailers and trailers refer to the cargo
93		-	carrying portion of the unit. Truck tractor units used
94		-	exclusively in combinations transporting motor vehicles may
95		-	directly carry a portion of the cargo, provided that the
96		-	combinations are restricted to truck tractor-semitrailer
97		-	combinations only and provided further that the overall length
98		-	of these particular combinations shall not exceed 65 feet;
99		-	except that the overall length of stinger-steered type units
100	96		29
101	97		30
102	98		31
103	99		32
104	100		33
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120	116		49
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122	118		51
123	119		52
124	120		53
125	121		54
126	122		55
127		-	56 SB110 ~~Engrossed~~
	123	+	56 SB110 INTRODUCED
128	124		Page 3
	125	+	commercial space, commonly called motor homes, shall not
	126	+	exceed 45 feet. Semitrailers exceeding 53 1/2 feet shall only
	127	+	be operated on highways designated pursuant to Section 32-9-1
	128	+	and shall only be operated when the distance between the
	129	+	kingpin of a semitrailer and the rearmost axle or a point
	130	+	midway between the two rear axles, if the two rear axles are
	131	+	tandem axles, does not exceed 41 feet and if the semitrailer
	132	+	is equipped with a rear underride guard of a substantial
	133	+	construction consisting of a continuous lateral beam extending
	134	+	to within four inches of the lateral extremities of the
	135	+	semitrailer and located not more than 22 inches from the
	136	+	surface as measured with the semitrailer empty and on a level
	137	+	surface. For purposes of enforcement of this subdivision,
	138	+	lengths of semitrailers and trailers refer to the cargo
	139	+	carrying portion of the unit. Truck tractor units used
	140	+	exclusively in combinations transporting motor vehicles may
	141	+	directly carry a portion of the cargo, provided that the
	142	+	combinations are restricted to truck tractor-semitrailer
	143	+	combinations only and provided further that the overall length
	144	+	of these particular combinations shall not exceed 65 feet;
129	145		except that the overall length of stinger-steered type units
130	146		shall not exceed 80 feet. No truck tractor-semitrailer
131	147		combination used exclusively for transporting motor vehicles
132	148		shall carry any load extending more than four feet beyond the
133	149		front or six feet beyond the rear of the combination. No other
134	150		vehicle operated on a highway shall carry any load extending
135	151		more than a total of five feet beyond both the front and rear,
136	152		inclusive, of the vehicle.
137	153		(3) WEIGHT.
138		-	a.1. Axle Weight. The gross weight imposed on the
139		-	highway by the wheels of any one axle of a vehicle shall not
140		-	exceed 20,000 pounds, or other weight, if any, as may be
141		-	permitted by federal law to keep the state from losing federal
142		-	funds; provided, that inadequate bridges shall be posted to
143		-	define load limits.
144		-	2. For the purpose of this subdivision, an "axle load"
145		-	shall be defined as the total load transmitted to the road by
146		-	all wheels whose centers are included between two parallel
147		-	transverse vertical planes 40 inches apart, extending across
148		-	the full width of the vehicle.
149		-	3. Vehicles and combinations of vehicles shall not
150		-	operate on the Interstate Highway System of Alabama that have
151		-	a weight greater than 20,000 pounds carried on any one axle,
152		-	including the allowable load tolerance, or with a tandem axle
153		-	weight in excess of 34,000 pounds, including the allowable
154		-	load tolerance, or overall gross weight on a group of two or
155		-	more consecutive axles produced by application of the
156		-	following formula:
157		-	W=500 (LN/(N-1) + 12N + 36)
158	154		57
159	155		58
160	156		59
161	157		60
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185		-	84 SB110 ~~Engrossed~~
	181	+	84 SB110 INTRODUCED
186	182		Page 4
	183	+	(3) WEIGHT.
	184	+	a.1. Axle Weight. The gross weight imposed on the
	185	+	highway by the wheels of any one axle of a vehicle shall not
	186	+	exceed 20,000 pounds, or other weight, if any, as may be
	187	+	permitted by federal law to keep the state from losing federal
	188	+	funds; provided, that inadequate bridges shall be posted to
	189	+	define load limits.
	190	+	2. For the purpose of this subdivision, an "axle load"
	191	+	shall be defined as the total load transmitted to the road by
	192	+	all wheels whose centers are included between two parallel
	193	+	transverse vertical planes 40 inches apart, extending across
	194	+	the full width of the vehicle.
	195	+	3. Vehicles and combinations of vehicles shall not
	196	+	operate on the Interstate Highway System of Alabama that have
	197	+	a weight greater than 20,000 pounds carried on any one axle,
	198	+	including the allowable load tolerance, or with a tandem axle
	199	+	weight in excess of 34,000 pounds, including the allowable
	200	+	load tolerance, or overall gross weight on a group of two or
	201	+	more consecutive axles produced by application of the
	202	+	following formula:
187	203		W=500 (LN/(N-1) + 12N + 36)
188	204		where W = overall gross weight on any group of two or
189	205		more consecutive axles to the nearest 500 pounds, L = distance
190	206		in feet between the extreme of any group of two or more
191	207		consecutive axles, and N = number of axles in the group under
192	208		consideration; except, that two consecutive sets of tandem
193	209		axles may carry a gross load of 34,000 pounds each, provided
194	210		the overall distance between the first and last axles of the
195	211		consecutive sets of tandem axles is 36 feet or more and the
196		-	overall gross weight may not exceed 80,000 pounds, including
197		-	the allowable load tolerance.
198		-	b. Gross Weight. Subject to the limit upon the weight
199		-	imposed upon the highway through any one axle as set forth
200		-	herein, the total weight with load imposed upon the highway by
201		-	all the axles of a vehicle or combination of vehicles shall
202		-	not exceed the gross weight given for the respective distances
203		-	between the first and last axle of the vehicle or combination
204		-	of vehicles, measured longitudinally to the nearest foot as
205		-	set forth in the following table:
206		-	COMPUTED GROSS WEIGHT TABLE
207		-	For various spacings of axle groupings
208		-	Distance in feet between first and
209		-	last axles of vehicle or combination
210		-	of vehicles
211		-	Maximum load in
212		-	pounds on all the
213		-	axles
214		-	2 axles3 axles4 axles5 axles6 axles
215		-	8 or less 36,000 42,000 42,000
216		-	9 38,000 42,500 42,500
217	212		85
218	213		86
219	214		87
220	215		88
221	216		89
222	217		90
223	218		91
224	219		92
225	220		93
226	221		94
227	222		95
228	223		96
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230	225		98
231	226		99
232	227		100
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234	229		102
235	230		103
236	231		104
237	232		105
238	233		106
239	234		107
240	235		108
241	236		109
242		-	110 SB110 Engrossed
	237	+	110
	238	+	111
	239	+	112 SB110 INTRODUCED
243	240		Page 5
	241	+	consecutive sets of tandem axles is 36 feet or more and the
	242	+	overall gross weight may not exceed 80,000 pounds, including
	243	+	the allowable load tolerance.
	244	+	b. Gross Weight. Subject to the limit upon the weight
	245	+	imposed upon the highway through any one axle as set forth
	246	+	herein, the total weight with load imposed upon the highway by
	247	+	all the axles of a vehicle or combination of vehicles shall
	248	+	not exceed the gross weight given for the respective distances
	249	+	between the first and last axle of the vehicle or combination
	250	+	of vehicles, measured longitudinally to the nearest foot as
	251	+	set forth in the following table:
	252	+	COMPUTED GROSS WEIGHT TABLE
	253	+	For various spacings of axle groupings
	254	+	Distance in feet between first and
	255	+	last axles of vehicle or combination
	256	+	of vehicles
	257	+	Maximum load in
	258	+	pounds on all the
	259	+	axles
	260	+	2 axles3 axles4 axles5 axles6 axles
	261	+	8 or less 36,000 42,000 42,000
244	262		9 38,000 42,500 42,500
245	263		10 40,000 43,500 43,500
246	264		11 44,000 44,000
247	265		12 45,000 50,000 50,000
248	266		13 45,500 50,500 50,500
249	267		14 46,500 51,500 51,500
250	268		15 47,000 52,000 52,000
251		-	16 48,000 52,500 58,000 58,000
252		-	17 48,500 53,500 58,500 58,500
253		-	18 49,500 54,000 59,000 59,000
254		-	19 50,000 54,500 60,000 60,000
255		-	20 51,000 55,500 60,500 66,000
256		-	21 51,500 56,000 61,000 66,500
257		-	22 52,500 56,500 61,500 67,000
258		-	23 53,000 57,500 62,500 68,000
259		-	24 54,000 58,000 63,000 68,500
260		-	25 54,500 58,500 63,500 69,000
261		-	26 56,000 59,500 64,000 69,500
262		-	27 57,000 60,000 65,000 70,000
263		-	28 59,000 60,500 65,500 71,000
264		-	29 60,000 61,500 66,000 71,500
265		-	30 62,000 66,500 72,000
266		-	111
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280	281		125
281	282		126
282	283		127
283	284		128
284	285		129
285	286		130
286		-	131 SB110 Engrossed
	287	+	131
	288	+	132
	289	+	133
	290	+	134
	291	+	135
	292	+	136 SB110 INTRODUCED
287	293		Page 6
	294	+	15 47,000 52,000 52,000
	295	+	16 48,000 52,500 58,000 58,000
	296	+	17 48,500 53,500 58,500 58,500
	297	+	18 49,500 54,000 59,000 59,000
	298	+	19 50,000 54,500 60,000 60,000
	299	+	20 51,000 55,500 60,500 66,000
	300	+	21 51,500 56,000 61,000 66,500
	301	+	22 52,500 56,500 61,500 67,000
	302	+	23 53,000 57,500 62,500 68,000
	303	+	24 54,000 58,000 63,000 68,500
	304	+	25 54,500 58,500 63,500 69,000
	305	+	26 56,000 59,500 64,000 69,500
	306	+	27 57,000 60,000 65,000 70,000
	307	+	28 59,000 60,500 65,500 71,000
	308	+	29 60,000 61,500 66,000 71,500
288	309		30 62,000 66,500 72,000
289	310		31 63,500 67,000 72,500
290	311		32 64,500 68,000 73,500
291	312		33 65,000 69,000 74,000
292	313		34 65,500 70,000 74,500
293	314		35 66,500 71,000 75,000
	315	+	36 67,000 72,000 76,000
	316	+	137
	317	+	138
	318	+	139
	319	+	140
	320	+	141
	321	+	142
	322	+	143
	323	+	144
	324	+	145
	325	+	146
	326	+	147
	327	+	148
	328	+	149
	329	+	150
	330	+	151
	331	+	152
	332	+	153
	333	+	154
	334	+	155
	335	+	156
	336	+	157 SB110 INTRODUCED
	337	+	Page 7
294	338		36 67,000 72,000 76,000
295	339		37 68,000 73,000 77,000
296	340		38 69,000 74,000 78,000
297	341		39 70,000 75,000 79,000
298	342		40 71,000 76,000 80,000
299	343		41 72,000 77,000 81,000
300	344		42 73,000 78,000 82,000
301	345		43 74,000 79,000 83,000
302	346		44 and over 75,000 80,000 84,000
303	347		c. Special Permits. Except as provided by special
304	348		permits, no vehicle or combination of vehicles exceeding the
305	349		gross weights specified in paragraph a. or b. shall be
306	350		permitted to travel on the public highways within the State of
307	351		Alabama.
308	352		d.1. Allowable Load Tolerance. For purposes of
309	353		enforcing this subdivision, all weights less than or equal to
310	354		the sum of the weight otherwise prescribed by this
311	355		subdivision, plus the allowable load tolerance, shall be
312	356		deemed to be in compliance with the requirements of this
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316		-	135
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335		-	154
336		-	155 SB110 Engrossed
337		-	Page 7
338		-	deemed to be in compliance with the requirements of this
339	357		section and shall not constitute violations thereof. No
340	358		evidence shall be admitted into evidence or considered by the
341	359		trier of fact in any civil action unless the evidence
342	360		proffered would tend to prove that the weight of the vehicle
343	361		exceeded the amount provided in this subsection. Nothing in
344	362		this paragraph shall restrict or affect the right of any
345	363		defendant to place in evidence such evidence tending to prove
346		-	the defendant was in compliance with this section.
347		-	2. For the purposes of this subdivision, the allowable
348		-	load tolerance is calculated by multiplying the weight
349		-	prescribed by this subdivision by one-tenth (.10).
350		-	e. Special Trucks.
351		-	1. Dump trucks, dump trailers, concrete mixing trucks,
352		-	fuel oil, gasoline trucks, and trucks designated and
353		-	constructed for special type work or use shall not be made to
354		-	conform to the axle spacing requirements of paragraph b. ;,
355		-	provided, that the vehicle shall be limited to a weight of
356		-	20,000 pounds per axle plus the allowable load tolerance; and,
357		-	provided further, that the maximum gross weight of the
358		-	vehicles vehicle shall not exceed the maximum weight allowed
359		-	by this section for the appropriate number of axles,
360		-	irrespective of the distance between axles, plus the allowable
361		-	load tolerance. All axles shall be brake equipped.
362		-	2. Trucks delivering asphalt plant mix which that do
363		-	not exceed the maximum allowable gross weight and operate
364		-	within 50 miles of their home base shall not be required to
365		-	conform to the requirements of paragraph a.
366		-	3. Concrete mixing trucks that operate within 50 miles
367		-	156
368		-	157
369	364		158
370	365		159
371	366		160
372	367		161
373	368		162
374	369		163
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391	386		180
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393		-	182
394		-	183 SB110 Engrossed
	388	+	182 SB110 INTRODUCED
395	389		Page 8
	390	+	defendant to place in evidence such evidence tending to prove
	391	+	the defendant was in compliance with this section.
	392	+	2. For the purposes of this subdivision, the allowable
	393	+	load tolerance is calculated by multiplying the weight
	394	+	prescribed by this subdivision by one-tenth (.10).
	395	+	e. Special Trucks.
	396	+	1. Dump trucks, dump trailers, concrete mixing trucks,
	397	+	fuel oil, gasoline trucks, and trucks designated and
	398	+	constructed for special type work or use shall not be made to
	399	+	conform to the axle spacing requirements of paragraph b. ;,
	400	+	provided, that the vehicle shall be limited to a weight of
	401	+	20,000 pounds per axle plus the allowable load tolerance; and,
	402	+	provided further, that the maximum gross weight of the
	403	+	vehicles vehicle shall not exceed the maximum weight allowed
	404	+	by this section for the appropriate number of axles,
	405	+	irrespective of the distance between axles, plus the allowable
	406	+	load tolerance. All axles shall be brake equipped.
	407	+	2. Trucks delivering asphalt plant mix which that do
	408	+	not exceed the maximum allowable gross weight and operate
	409	+	within 50 miles of their home base shall not be required to
	410	+	conform to the requirements of paragraph a.
396	411		3. Concrete mixing trucks that operate within 50 miles
397	412		of their home base and do not exceed the maximum allowable
398	413		gross weight shall not be required to conform to the
399	414		requirements of paragraph a.
400		-	4. It shall be is a violation if the vehicles a vehicle
401		-	named under this subdivision travel paragraph travels upon
402		-	bridges designated and posted by the Transportation Director
403		-	of Transportation as incapable of carrying the load.
404		-	f. Driver Compliance. If the driver of any vehicle can
405		-	comply with the weight requirements of this section by
406		-	shifting or equalizing the load on all wheels or axles and
407		-	does so when requested by the proper authority, the driver
408		-	shall not be held to be operating in violation of this
409		-	section.
410		-	g. Portable Scales.
411		-	1. When portable Portable scales are may be used in
412		-	enforcing to enforce this section, the. To determine the
413		-	weight of each axle, the axles of any vehicle described or
414		-	commonly referred to as tandem or triaxle rigs or units, that
415		-	is, vehicles having two or more axles in addition to a
416		-	steering axle, the group of tandem or triaxles shall be
417		-	weighed simultaneously, and the total weight so derived shall
418		-	be divided by the number of axles weighed in the group to
419		-	arrive at the per axle weight, except that if any one axle in
420		-	the group exceeds 20,000 pounds in weight, it shall not exceed
421		-	the weight of any other axle in the group by more than 50
422		-	percent.
423		-	2. When portable scales are used to enforce this
424		-	sectiondetermine and either the axle weight or the gross
	415	+	4. Log trucks that do not exceed the maximum allowable
	416	+	gross weight shall not be required to conform to the
	417	+	requirements of paragraph a., subject to meeting the following
	418	+	requirements:
	419	+	183
425	420		184
426	421		185
427	422		186
428	423		187
429	424		188
430	425		189
431	426		190
432	427		191
433	428		192
434	429		193
435	430		194
436	431		195
437	432		196
438	433		197
439	434		198
440	435		199
441	436		200
442	437		201
443	438		202
444	439		203
445	440		204
446	441		205
447	442		206
448	443		207
449	444		208
450	445		209
451		-	210
452		-	211 SB110 Engrossed
	446	+	210 SB110 INTRODUCED
453	447		Page 9
454		-	sectiondetermine and either the axle weight or the gross
455		-	weight of a vehicle pursuant to is determined to be in
456		-	violation of this section, if the operator of the vehicle
457		-	believes that the determination of a violation is based on
458		-	inaccuracies of the portable scales, the operator may do
459		-	either of the following:
460		-	(i)will be permitted to move Request that an
461		-	enforcement officer accompany the operator and vehicle to the
462		-	nearest platform scales certified by the Department of
463		-	Agriculture and Industries and operated by a bonded operator
464		-	within a distance of 10 highway miles , accompanied by an
465		-	enforcement officer to verify the accuracy of the portable
466		-	scales used in determining the axle weight or gross weight of
467		-	the vehicle. If the axle weights or gross weight of the
468		-	vehicle is shown by the platform scales to be within the legal
469		-	limits of this section, including the allowable load
470		-	tolerance, the operator of the vehicle shall not be held to be
471		-	in violation of this section.
472		-	(ii) Proceed with the vehicle to the nearest platform
473		-	scales certified by the Department of Agriculture and
474		-	Industries and operated by a bonded operator within a distance
475		-	of 100 highway miles to verify the accuracy of the portable
476		-	scales used in determining the axle weight or gross weight of
477		-	the vehicle without being accompanied by an enforcement
478		-	officer. If the axle weights or gross weight of the vehicle is
479		-	shown by the platform scales to be within the legal limits of
480		-	this section, including the allowable load tolerance, the
481		-	operator of the vehicle shall not be held to be in violation
482		-	of this section upon providing a copy of the platform scale
	448	+	requirements:
	449	+	(i) The weight of each axle is limited to 22,000 pounds
	450	+	plus the allowable load tolerance.
	451	+	(ii) If the vehicle has two consecutive sets of tandem
	452	+	axles:
	453	+	A. The weight of each consecutive set of axles is
	454	+	limited to 44,000 pounds plus the allowable load tolerance.
	455	+	B. The overall distance between the first axle and last
	456	+	axle of the consecutive sets of tandem axles is 36 feet or
	457	+	more.
	458	+	C. The overall gross weight of the vehicle does not
	459	+	exceed 80,000 pounds plus the allowable load tolerance.
	460	+	5. It shall be is a violation if the vehicles a vehicle
	461	+	named under this subdivision travel paragraph travels upon
	462	+	bridges designated and posted by the Transportation Director
	463	+	of Transportation as incapable of carrying the load.
	464	+	f. Driver Compliance. If the driver of any vehicle can
	465	+	comply with the weight requirements of this section by
	466	+	shifting or equalizing the load on all wheels or axles and
	467	+	does so when requested by the proper authority, the driver
	468	+	shall not be held to be operating in violation of this
	469	+	section.
	470	+	g. Portable Scales.
	471	+	1. When portable Portable scales are may be used in
	472	+	enforcing to enforce this section, the. To determine the
	473	+	weight of each axle, the axles of any vehicle described or
	474	+	commonly referred to as tandem or triaxle rigs or units, that
	475	+	is, vehicles having two or more axles in addition to a
	476	+	steering axle, the group of tandem or triaxles shall be
	477	+	211
483	478		212
484	479		213
485	480		214
486	481		215
487	482		216
488	483		217
489	484		218
490	485		219
491	486		220
492	487		221
493	488		222
494	489		223
495	490		224
496	491		225
497	492		226
498	493		227
499	494		228
500	495		229
501	496		230
502	497		231
503	498		232
504	499		233
505	500		234
506	501		235
507	502		236
508	503		237
509		-	238
510		-	239 SB110 Engrossed
	504	+	238 SB110 INTRODUCED
511	505		Page 10
512		-	of this section upon providing a copy of the platform scale
513		-	weight ticket and an affidavit, to be established and provided
514		-	online by the court having jurisdiction over this matter
515		-	within 48 hours of being weighed by the portable scales. Upon
516		-	complying with this section, no court costs, fees, or
517		-	penalties shall apply.
518		-	3. When using portable scales to enforce this section,
519		-	not more than five vehicles may be detained at any one time,
520		-	including a vehicle being weighed
521		-	h. County Highways. The governing body of a county, by
522		-	appropriate resolution, may authorize limitations less than
523		-	those prescribed in this section for vehicles operated upon
524		-	the county highways of the county.
525		-	i. Posted Roads and Bridges. The Department of
526		-	Transportation may post or limit any road or bridge to weights
527		-	less than those prescribed by this section. It is the
528		-	legislative intent and purpose that this section be rigidly
529		-	enforced by the Department of Transportation, the Alabama
530		-	State Law Enforcement Agency, any other authorized law
531		-	enforcement officer of this state, and any county, city, and
532		-	incorporated town.
533		-	j. Agricultural Commodities. Two and three axle
534		-	vehicles being used exclusively for the purpose of
535		-	transporting agricultural commodities or products to and from
536		-	a farm and for agricultural purposes relating to the operation
537		-	and maintenance of a farm by any farmer, custom harvester, or
538		-	husbandman may not be made to conform to the axle requirements
539		-	of paragraph a. or the gross weight requirements of paragraph
540		-	b.
	506	+	steering axle, the group of tandem or triaxles shall be
	507	+	weighed simultaneously, and the total weight so derived shall
	508	+	be divided by the number of axles weighed in the group to
	509	+	arrive at the per axle weight, except that if any one axle in
	510	+	the group exceeds 20,000 pounds in weight, it shall not exceed
	511	+	the weight of any other axle in the group by more than 50
	512	+	percent.
	513	+	2. When portable scales are used to enforce this
	514	+	sectiondetermine and either the axle weight or the gross
	515	+	weight of a vehicle pursuant to is determined to be in
	516	+	violation of this section, if the operator of the vehicle
	517	+	believes that the determination of a violation is based on
	518	+	inaccuracies of the portable scales, the operator may do
	519	+	either of the following:
	520	+	(i)will be permitted to move Request that an
	521	+	enforcement officer accompany the operator and vehicle to the
	522	+	nearest platform scales certified by the Department of
	523	+	Agriculture and Industries and operated by a bonded operator
	524	+	within a distance of 10 highway miles , accompanied by an
	525	+	enforcement officer to verify the accuracy of the portable
	526	+	scales used in determining the axle weight or gross weight of
	527	+	the vehicle. If an enforcement officer does not accompany the
	528	+	operator and vehicle to platform scales within 30 minutes of
	529	+	the request to do so, or the axle weights or gross weight of
	530	+	the vehicle is shown by the platform scales to be within the
	531	+	legal limits of this section, including the allowable load
	532	+	tolerance, the operator of the vehicle shall not be held to be
	533	+	in violation of this section and any citation, if issued,
	534	+	shall be void.
	535	+	239
541	536		240
542	537		241
543	538		242
544	539		243
545	540		244
546	541		245
547	542		246
548	543		247
549	544		248
550	545		249
551	546		250
552	547		251
553	548		252
554	549		253
555	550		254
556	551		255
557	552		256
558	553		257
559	554		258
560	555		259
561	556		260
562	557		261
563	558		262
564	559		263
565	560		264
566	561		265
567		-	266
568		-	267 SB110 Engrossed
	562	+	266 SB110 INTRODUCED
569	563		Page 11
570		-	b.
571		-	(4) WIDTH. Vehicles and combinations of vehicles
572		-	operating on highways shall not exceed a total outside width,
573		-	including any load thereon, of 102 inches, exclusive of
574		-	mirrors or other safety devices approved by the Department of
575		-	Transportation. No passenger vehicle shall carry any load
576		-	extending beyond the line of the fenders. No vehicle hauling
577		-	forest products or culvert pipe on any highway shall have a
578		-	load exceeding 102 inches in width.
579		-	(b)(1) Any vehicle utilizing an auxiliary power or idle
580		-	reduction technology unit in order to promote reduction of
581		-	fuel use and emissions because of engine idling shall be
582		-	allowed an additional 400 pounds total to the gross, axle,
583		-	tandem, or bridge formula weight limits defined in this
584		-	section.
585		-	(2) To be eligible for the exception provided in this
586		-	subsection, the operator of the vehicle must provide written
587		-	proof or certification of the weight of the auxiliary power
588		-	unit (APU) and demonstrate or certify the idle reduction
589		-	technology is fully functional at all times.
590		-	(3) Written proof or certification of the weight of the
591		-	APU must be available to law enforcement officers if the
592		-	vehicle is found in violation of applicable weight laws. The
593		-	weight allowed may not exceed 400 pounds or the actual weight
594		-	proven or certified, whichever is less.
595		-	(4) It is the intent of this subsection to apply at the
596		-	state highway level the weight limit increase for vehicles
597		-	using a functioning auxiliary power or idle reduction
598		-	technology as provided in the Federal Energy Policy Act of
	564	+	shall be void.
	565	+	(ii) Proceed with the vehicle to the nearest platform
	566	+	scales certified by the Department of Agriculture and
	567	+	Industries and operated by a bonded operator within a distance
	568	+	of 100 highway miles to verify the accuracy of the portable
	569	+	scales used in determining the axle weight or gross weight of
	570	+	the vehicle without being accompanied by an enforcement
	571	+	officer. If the axle weights or gross weight of the vehicle is
	572	+	shown by the platform scales to be within the legal limits of
	573	+	this section, including the allowable load tolerance, the
	574	+	operator of the vehicle shall not be held to be in violation
	575	+	of this section and any citation, if issued, shall be void
	576	+	upon providing a copy of the platform scale weight ticket and
	577	+	an affidavit, to be established and provided online by the
	578	+	entity employing the enforcing officer, to the entity
	579	+	employing the enforcing officer within 48 hours of being
	580	+	weighed by the portable scales.
	581	+	3. When using portable scales to enforce this section,
	582	+	not more than three vehicles may be detained at any one time,
	583	+	including a vehicle being weighed
	584	+	h. County Highways. The governing body of a county, by
	585	+	appropriate resolution, may authorize limitations less than
	586	+	those prescribed in this section for vehicles operated upon
	587	+	the county highways of the county.
	588	+	i. Posted Roads and Bridges. The Department of
	589	+	Transportation may post or limit any road or bridge to weights
	590	+	less than those prescribed by this section. It is the
	591	+	legislative intent and purpose that this section be rigidly
	592	+	enforced by the Department of Transportation, the Alabama
	593	+	267
599	594		268
600	595		269
601	596		270
602	597		271
603	598		272
604	599		273
605	600		274
606	601		275
607	602		276
608	603		277
609	604		278
610	605		279
611	606		280
612	607		281
613	608		282
614	609		283
615	610		284
616	611		285
617	612		286
618	613		287
619	614		288
620	615		289
621	616		290
622	617		291
623	618		292
624	619		293
625		-	294
626		-	295 SB110 Engrossed
	620	+	294 SB110 INTRODUCED
627	621		Page 12
628		-	technology as provided in the Federal Energy Policy Act of
629		-	2005.
630		-	(c)(1) Any motor vehicle, if operated by an engine
631		-	fueled primarily by natural gas, may exceed any vehicle weight
632		-	limit, up to a maximum gross vehicle weight of 82,000 pounds,
633		-	under this section by an amount that is equal to the
634		-	difference between:
635		-	a. The weight of the vehicle attributable to the
636		-	natural gas tank and fueling system carried by that vehicle;
637		-	and
638		-	b. The weight of a comparable diesel tank and fueling
639		-	system.
640		-	(2) This subsection applies on federal interstate
641		-	highways to the weight limit increases for vehicles using an
642		-	EPA certified natural gas engine or an EPA approved conversion
643		-	unit installed on the vehicle that allows the vehicle to
644		-	operate primarily on compressed natural gas or liquefied
645		-	natural gas.
646		-	(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed as
647		-	effectuating either of the following:
648		-	(1) Permitting size or weight limits on the National
649		-	System of Interstate and Defense Highways in this state in
650		-	excess of those permitted under 23 U.S.C. § 127. If the
651		-	federal government prescribes or adopts vehicle size or weight
652		-	limits greater than or less than those now prescribed by 23
653		-	U.S.C. § 127 for the National System of Interstate and Defense
654		-	Highways, the increased or decreased limits shall become
655		-	effective on the National System of Interstate and Defense
656		-	Highways in this state.
	622	+	enforced by the Department of Transportation, the Alabama
	623	+	State Law Enforcement Agency, any other authorized law
	624	+	enforcement officer of this state, and any county, city, and
	625	+	incorporated town.
	626	+	j. Agricultural Commodities. Two and three axle
	627	+	vehicles being used exclusively for the purpose of
	628	+	transporting agricultural commodities or products to and from
	629	+	a farm and for agricultural purposes relating to the operation
	630	+	and maintenance of a farm by any farmer, custom harvester, or
	631	+	husbandman may not be made to conform to the axle requirements
	632	+	of paragraph a. or the gross weight requirements of paragraph
	633	+	b.
	634	+	(4) WIDTH. Vehicles and combinations of vehicles
	635	+	operating on highways shall not exceed a total outside width,
	636	+	including any load thereon, of 102 inches, exclusive of
	637	+	mirrors or other safety devices approved by the Department of
	638	+	Transportation. No passenger vehicle shall carry any load
	639	+	extending beyond the line of the fenders. No vehicle hauling
	640	+	forest products or culvert pipe on any highway shall have a
	641	+	load exceeding 102 inches in width.
	642	+	(b)(1) Any vehicle utilizing an auxiliary power or idle
	643	+	reduction technology unit in order to promote reduction of
	644	+	fuel use and emissions because of engine idling shall be
	645	+	allowed an additional 400 pounds total to the gross, axle,
	646	+	tandem, or bridge formula weight limits defined in this
	647	+	section.
	648	+	(2) To be eligible for the exception provided in this
	649	+	subsection, the operator of the vehicle must provide written
	650	+	proof or certification of the weight of the auxiliary power
	651	+	295
657	652		296
658	653		297
659	654		298
660	655		299
661	656		300
662	657		301
663	658		302
664	659		303
665	660		304
666	661		305
667	662		306
668	663		307
669	664		308
670	665		309
671	666		310
672	667		311
673	668		312
674	669		313
675	670		314
676	671		315
677	672		316
678	673		317
679	674		318
680	675		319
681	676		320
682	677		321
683		-	322
684		-	323 SB110 Engrossed
	678	+	322 SB110 INTRODUCED
685	679		Page 13
686		-	Highways in this state.
687		-	(2) Denying the operation of any vehicle or combination
688		-	of vehicles that could be lawfully operated upon the highways
689		-	and roads of this state on January 4, 1975."
690		-	"§32-9-31
691		-	Any officer enumerated in Section 32-9-3 having reason
692		-	to believe that the height, length, width, or weight of any
693		-	truck, semitrailer truck, or trailer is in excess of the
694		-	maximum limits prescribed by Section 32-9-20 , or permitted by
695		-	any permit issued under authority of Section 32-9-29 , is
696		-	authorized to measure or weigh the same, vehicle using either
697		-	by means of portable or stationary scales , and may require
698		-	such vehicle to be driven to the nearest stationary scales, in
699		-	the event such scales are within a distance of five miles . All
700		-	scales used for the weighing of vehicles as provided in this
701		-	section shall be approved by the weights and measures division
702		-	of the Department of Agriculture and Industries. The officer
703		-	shall may require the operator of the truck, semitrailer
704		-	truck, or trailer to unload such a portion of a load as may be
705		-	necessary to decrease the gross weight of such the vehicle to
706		-	the maximum gross weight permitted by this title or by the
707		-	terms of any permit in the possession of such the operator and
708		-	issued under the provisions of Section 32-9-29 (, which excess
709		-	load, when unloaded, shall be at the sole risk of the owner ),
710		-	or, at the election of the operator, the officer shall permit
711		-	the operator to move such the vehicle and its load to the
712		-	nearest incorporated town or the nearest court having
713		-	jurisdiction, at which place the excess load shall be
714		-	unloaded. The refusal of any such operator to permit his or
	680	+	proof or certification of the weight of the auxiliary power
	681	+	unit (APU) and demonstrate or certify the idle reduction
	682	+	technology is fully functional at all times.
	683	+	(3) Written proof or certification of the weight of the
	684	+	APU must be available to law enforcement officers if the
	685	+	vehicle is found in violation of applicable weight laws. The
	686	+	weight allowed may not exceed 400 pounds or the actual weight
	687	+	proven or certified, whichever is less.
	688	+	(4) It is the intent of this subsection to apply at the
	689	+	state highway level the weight limit increase for vehicles
	690	+	using a functioning auxiliary power or idle reduction
	691	+	technology as provided in the Federal Energy Policy Act of
	692	+	2005.
	693	+	(c)(1) Any motor vehicle, if operated by an engine
	694	+	fueled primarily by natural gas, may exceed any vehicle weight
	695	+	limit, up to a maximum gross vehicle weight of 82,000 pounds,
	696	+	under this section by an amount that is equal to the
	697	+	difference between:
	698	+	a. The weight of the vehicle attributable to the
	699	+	natural gas tank and fueling system carried by that vehicle;
	700	+	and
	701	+	b. The weight of a comparable diesel tank and fueling
	702	+	system.
	703	+	(2) This subsection applies on federal interstate
	704	+	highways to the weight limit increases for vehicles using an
	705	+	EPA certified natural gas engine or an EPA approved conversion
	706	+	unit installed on the vehicle that allows the vehicle to
	707	+	operate primarily on compressed natural gas or liquefied
	708	+	natural gas.
	709	+	323
715	710		324
716	711		325
717	712		326
718	713		327
719	714		328
720	715		329
721	716		330
722	717		331
723	718		332
724	719		333
725	720		334
726	721		335
727	722		336
728	723		337
729	724		338
730	725		339
731	726		340
732	727		341
733	728		342
734	729		343
735	730		344
736	731		345
737	732		346
738	733		347
739	734		348
740	735		349
741		-	350
742		-	351 SB110 Engrossed
	736	+	350 SB110 INTRODUCED
743	737		Page 14
744		-	unloaded. The refusal of any such operator to permit his or
745		-	her truck, semitrailer truck, or trailer to be measured or
746		-	weighed, or to proceed to a stationary scales or to unload the
747		-	excess load shall constitute , is a violation of this chapter."
748		-	Section 2. This act shall become effective on October
749		-	1, 2025.
	738	+	natural gas.
	739	+	(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed as
	740	+	effectuating either of the following:
	741	+	(1) Permitting size or weight limits on the National
	742	+	System of Interstate and Defense Highways in this state in
	743	+	excess of those permitted under 23 U.S.C. § 127. If the
	744	+	federal government prescribes or adopts vehicle size or weight
	745	+	limits greater than or less than those now prescribed by 23
	746	+	U.S.C. § 127 for the National System of Interstate and Defense
	747	+	Highways, the increased or decreased limits shall become
	748	+	effective on the National System of Interstate and Defense
	749	+	Highways in this state.
	750	+	(2) Denying the operation of any vehicle or combination
	751	+	of vehicles that could be lawfully operated upon the highways
	752	+	and roads of this state on January 4, 1975."
	753	+	"§32-9-31
	754	+	Any officer enumerated in Section 32-9-3 having reason
	755	+	to believe that the height, length, width, or weight of any
	756	+	truck, semitrailer truck, or trailer is in excess of the
	757	+	maximum limits prescribed by Section 32-9-20 , or permitted by
	758	+	any permit issued under authority of Section 32-9-29 , is
	759	+	authorized to measure or weigh the same, vehicle using either
	760	+	by means of portable or stationary scales , and may require
	761	+	such vehicle to be driven to the nearest stationary scales, in
	762	+	the event such scales are within a distance of five miles . All
	763	+	scales used for the weighing of vehicles as provided in this
	764	+	section shall be approved by the weights and measures division
	765	+	of the Department of Agriculture and Industries. The officer
	766	+	shall may require the operator of the truck, semitrailer
	767	+	351
750	768		352
751	769		353
752	770		354
753	771		355
754		-	356 SB110 Engrossed
755		-	Page 15
756		-	1, 2025.
757		-	Senate
758		-	Read for the first time and referred
759		-	to the Senate committee on
760		-	Agriculture, Conservation, and
761		-	Forestry
762		-	................05-Feb-25
763		-	Read for the second time and placed
764		-	on the calendar:
765		-	0 amendments
766		-	................12-Feb-25
767		-	Read for the third time and passed
768		-	as amended
769		-	Yeas 32
770		-	Nays 0
771		-	Abstains 0
772		-	................01-Apr-25
773		-	Patrick Harris,
774		-	Secretary.
	772	+	356
775	773		357
776	774		358
777	775		359
778	776		360
779	777		361
780	778		362
781	779		363
782	780		364
783	781		365
784	782		366
785	783		367
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788	786		370
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795	793		377
796		-	378
	794	+	378 SB110 INTRODUCED
	795	+	Page 15
	796	+	shall may require the operator of the truck, semitrailer
	797	+	truck, or trailer to unload such a portion of a load as may be
	798	+	necessary to decrease the gross weight of such the vehicle to
	799	+	the maximum gross weight permitted by this title or by the
	800	+	terms of any permit in the possession of such the operator and
	801	+	issued under the provisions of Section 32-9-29 (, which excess
	802	+	load, when unloaded, shall be at the sole risk of the owner ),
	803	+	or, at the election of the operator, the officer shall permit
	804	+	the operator to move such the vehicle and its load to the
	805	+	nearest incorporated town or the nearest court having
	806	+	jurisdiction, at which place the excess load shall be
	807	+	unloaded. The refusal of any such operator to permit his or
	808	+	her truck, semitrailer truck, or trailer to be measured or
	809	+	weighed, or to proceed to a stationary scales or to unload the
	810	+	excess load shall constitute , is a violation of this chapter."
	811	+	Section 2. This act shall become effective on October
	812	+	1, 2025.
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