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Minutes for SB391 - Committee on Transportation
Short Title
Relating to maximum weight limits of emergency vehicles.
Minutes Content for Tue, Feb 13, 2018
Chairperson Petersen opened the hearing on this bill. Scott Wells, Office of Revisor of Statutes, gave a briefing and said this bill would provide that the gross weight of an emergency vehicle could not exceed 86,000 pounds subject to maximum weights by axle as noted in the bill. "Emergency vehicle" means a vehicle designed to be used under emergency conditions to transport personnel and equipment and support the suppression of fires and mitigation of other hazardous situations. The current limit is 80,000 pounds on the interstate and 85,500 pounds on the state highway. Senator Doll asked if this just applies to the state highways.
Joel Skelley, Director of Policy, KDOT. answered Senator Doll's question stating the weight limit applies to all highways in the state. Mr. Skelley gave proponent testimony (Attachment 1) noting this bill brings the state in line with federal law under the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. The language is the same as the federal laws. He asked for favorable passage of the bill.
Senator Hardy asked if 90,000 pounds was too large a limit and deleterious to highways. Mr. Skelley said KDOT was trying to keep the weight similar to federal law and, if the weight increases drastically, especially by axle, it will degrade the highways.
Senator Hawk asked what other hazardous emergency vehicles there might be. Mr. Skelley said this would apply to fire trucks and vehicles for pumping hazardous materials at a spill.
Senator Skubal said the roads are not a concern but rather caution should be exercised with the bridges when increasing weight limits. Mr. Skelley said KDOT is evaluating bridges and posting bridges if a lower weight limit is needed.
Senator Tyson asked why there are no additional axle requirements as were in the 2017 bill to increase weight limits for some agriculture-related trucks. Mr. Skelley said the bill is just following federal highway law on axle weights. Senator Tyson asked if this could be more harmful to Kansas roads if there is no requirement for additional axles and weights on each axle are increased. Mr. Skelley said he would get an answer.
There were no other proponents, and no neutral or opponent testimony.
The hearing was closed.
