HCR 9 (LSB 2515HV (1) 90)

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 9

BY  COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

(SUCCESSOR TO HSB 212)

A Concurrent Resolution urging the members of Congress to amend federal law to increase the maximum gross weight allowed for motor vehicles operated on the interstate road system in Iowa and bordering states.

   WHEREAS, federal law imposes a uniform combined gross weight limit of 80,000 pounds for vehicles operated on the interstate road system, unless expressly exempted; and
   WHEREAS, a number of exemptions to the weight limit are provided on certain segments of the interstate road system, including in Iowa and in states that border Iowa; and
   WHEREAS, vehicles with six or more axles can safely and efficiently handle loads exceeding 80,000 pounds while complying with reasonable axle weight limits, as evidenced by the 96,000 pound weight limit for commercial motor vehicles with seven axles driven on primary highways that are not part of the interstate road system in Iowa; and
   WHEREAS, commercial motor vehicle drivers are inconvenienced while navigating the interstate road system by encountering different weight limits on different segments of the same interstate road system within and across state borders; and
   WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of Iowa and the states that border Iowa to have the same vehicle weight limits on the interstate road system across all states that border Iowa; and
   WHEREAS, it is also in the best interest of Iowa to increase the payload capacity of commercial motor vehicles, which may result in fewer vehicles on the interstate road system and improve traffic flow; NOW THEREFORE,

   BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, THE SENATE CONCURRING, That the General Assembly of the State of Iowa urges Congress to amend federal law to authorize the federal highway administration to raise the weight limit on the interstate road system in Iowa and in the states that border Iowa to 96,000 pounds for commercial motor vehicles with seven axles; and

   BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be distributed to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United State House of Representatives, and each member of Iowa’s congressional delegation.