MONTGOMERY — The Senate unanimously passed legislation on Tuesday that caps the number of logging trucks that can be pulled over at one time at five per portable scale.
A controversial part of the original bill by State Sen. Jack Williams (R-Wilmer) that would have increased the allowable weight per axle was removed on Tuesday in an amendment brought by State Sen. Clyde Chambliss (R-Prattville). The Alabama Forestry Association backed the original bill with the axle weight increase. The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) and the Association of County Commissions of Alabama opposed the axle weight increase.
"That was the major concern with the bill. We've already increased tandem axle weights above what the engineering data says. I just felt strongly that was going to do significant damage to roads and bridges. As we worked back and forth, we figured out what the major issues were, and we resolved the major issues," Chambliss told reporters on Tuesday.
Chambliss said lowering the cap on the number of trucks that could be detained on the side of the road to be weighed was "beneficial to everybody."
"That's beneficial to everybody, not only to the traveling public but also to the loggers who are trying to make a living. It keeps those on the side of the road doing the weighing; it keeps them safe. It's just better for everybody to do it that way. I was glad we came to a real logical conclusion on that," Chambliss said.
Williams told reporters on Tuesday, "We get 20 trucks pulled over at one time, that's a very dangerous situation."
"A lot of trucks, if they don't make four loads, they don't make a profit. First load pays for their fuel. Second load pays for their truck. Third load pays for the driver, and this is the profit on the fourth load," Williams said.
State Senate Pro-Tem Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman) said on the Senate floor, "You had associations and agencies working on both sides of the bill because they had reasons to be on both sides of the bill."
"Our senators came together behind the scenes and worked together in their office to make something happen so when we came out here, we didn't have to take a bad vote against certain agencies and associations. We all were able to vote for this bill and made everybody happy, from the Forestry Association to ALDOT to ALEA and the county commissions," Gudger said.
ALDOT government relations manager Tony Harris told 1819 News, "With the axle weight increase removed by the amendment offered by Senator Chambliss, we can say for sure that we have safeguarded Alabama's roads and bridges from accelerated wear and tear."
"We appreciate all the parties working together to reach a compromise," Harris said.
The bill now goes to the House for their consideration.
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