9/3/03-A Senate bill restricting most truckers stopped in the state from idling their rigs for more than five minutes has died.
Sen. Ginny Burdick, D-Portland, introduced the bill in an effort to reduce diesel emissions by cutting idling time to five minutes for vehicles weighing more than 8,500 pounds. In addition, the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission would have been required to test heavy-duty diesel vehicles.
“ Any heavy-duty diesel vehicle shall be tested for emissions if the vehicle is observed producing visible emissions or if the age of the vehicle indicates that it is likely to produce emissions that would exceed the standards adopted,” Burdick wrote.
SB823 would have exempted from the idling restriction reefers and trucks with “auxiliary equipment that requires the engine to idle to provide power to the equipment.”
The bill was in the Senate Transportation and Economic Development Committee when the session ended Aug. 27.

4/9/03-A Senate bill would restrict most truckers stopped in the state from idling their rigs for more than five minutes. Violators could be fined $150.
In an effort to reduce diesel emissions, SB823, sponsored by Sen. Ginny Burdick, D-Portland, would cut idling time to five minutes for vehicles weighing more than 8,500 pounds. In addition, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality would be required to test heavy-duty diesel vehicles.
The bill would exempt from the idling restriction reefers and trucks with “auxiliary equipment that requires the engine to idle to provide power to the equipment.”
It has been referred to the Senate Transportation and Economic Development Committee. For bill status, call (503) 986-1180.