An Act To Authorize the Commissioner of Transportation To Allow Certain Vehicles To Operate on the Interstate System
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, federal law has been enacted to allow vehicles up to 100,000 pounds gross vehicle weight on all of the interstate system in the State for a period of 20 years; and
Whereas, in order to ensure that Maine is in conformity with the federal law, this legislation provides rule-making authority to the Commissioner of Transportation; and
Whereas, allowing heavier vehicles to travel on the interstate system in the State rather than on local roads promotes safety, reduces pollution and allows for more cost-effective commercial transportation; 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,
Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §2355-B is enacted to read:
§ 2355-B. Exemption for weight, axle and configuration limits on interstate system
Notwithstanding the weight, axle and configuration limits specified in section 2355, subsections 1 to 3, for as long as the provisions of 23 United States Code, Section 127(a)(11) affording an exemption from the federal vehicle weight limitations for vehicles operating on all portions of the interstate system are in effect, the Commissioner of Transportation, by rule, may allow the operation of a vehicle on the interstate system if the vehicle complies with the provisions of this chapter applicable to the operation of vehicles on public ways other than the interstate system. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. As used in this section, "interstate system" has the same meaning as in Title 23, section 1903, subsection 3.
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.