6/10/05-A bill that would have changed restrictions on how far trucks may travel off main routes to deliver their loads, fuel up or get rest, has died.
SB218, sponsored by Sen. John Sullivan, D-Quincy, remained in the Senate Rules Committee at the deadline for bills to advance from the chamber, effectively killing it for the year.
Current state law allows certain trucks to travel up to 5 highway miles off any state-designated highway to load or unload. In addition, those same trucks can travel off any state-designated highway and travel no more than 5 miles on “any state, county or township highway” to get fuel, food, repairs or rest.
The bill would have allowed those truckers to travel off any highway – not just those designated by the state – for whatever distance is necessary to load, unload, get a meal, fuel or repair their vehicles, or obtain needed rest.
It would simply have required that the trucker take the “shortest practical” route to his or her destination.
Amendments added to the bill spelled out the distance that certain trucks may travel off main routes, and allowed some trucks, such as household goods carriers, unlimited access to any place they need to load or unload.

4/28/05-The Senate Transportation Committee has unanimously approved a bill that would change restrictions on how far trucks may travel off main routes to deliver their loads, fuel up or get rest. It now moves to the full Senate for further consideration.
Current state law allows certain trucks to travel up to 5 highway miles off any state-designated highway to load or unload. In addition, those same trucks can travel off any state-designated highway and travel no more than 5 miles on “any state, county or township highway” to get fuel, food, repairs or rest.
SB218, sponsored by Sen. John Sullivan, D-Quincy, would allow those truckers to travel off any highway – not just those designated by the state – for whatever distance is necessary to load, unload, get a meal, fuel or repair their vehicles, or obtain needed rest.
The law would simply require that the trucker take the “shortest practical” route to his or her destination.
Amendments added to the bill spell out the distance that certain trucks may travel off main routes, and allows some trucks, such as household goods carriers, unlimited access to any place they need to load or unload.
For Senate bill status, call (217) 782-4517.

2/9/05-A bill in the Senate Transportation Committee would change restrictions on how far trucks may travel off main routes to deliver their loads, fuel up or get rest.
Under current state law, certain trucks are allowed to travel up to 5 highway miles off any state-designated highway for the purposes of loading or unloading. In addition, those same trucks can travel off any state-designated highway and travel no more than 5 miles on “any state, county or township highway” to get fuel, food, repairs or rest.
SB218, sponsored by Sen. John Sullivan, D-Quincy, would allow those truckers to travel off any highway – not just those designated by the state – for whatever distance is necessary to load, unload, get a meal, fuel or repair their vehicles, or obtain needed rest.
The law would simply require that the trucker take the “shortest practical” route to his or her destination.
For Senate bill status, call (217) 782-4517.