2/1/08-A bill in the House has been sidelined that would triple the fines for vehicles overloaded.
Sponsored by Rep. Jim Ryan, D-Franklin, HB1461 was referred for further study by the House Transportation Committee. The action effectively kills the bill for the year.
The bill called for raising fines for driving overweight from $100 to $300. Subsequent offenses within one year would result in $750 fines – up from $250.
Trucks found in violation while driving on non-interstates and general highways in the state would have faced $300 fines, or 6 cents for each pound in excess of the prescribed weight, whichever is greater – up from $200 or 2 cents. Repeat offenses would have resulted in $750 fines or 6 cents per pound – up from $250 or 2 cents.
Subsequent offenses would have resulted in $750 fines or 6 cents per pound up to an excess of 15,000 pounds – up from $250 or 2 cents. When the excess is between 15,001 pounds and 30,000 pounds, it would have increased to 9 cents per pound and 12 cents per pound when the excess is more than 30,000 pounds – up from 3 cents and 4 cents, respectively.
Exceeding the posted weight limit on bridges would have resulted in $600 fines – up from $200. Driving on bridges that trucks are prohibited from crossing would have resulted in $1,200 fines – up from $400.
The additional revenue would have been earmarked for the state’s highway fund.

1/10/08-A bill in the House Transportation Committee would triple the fines for vehicles overloaded.
Sponsored by Rep. Jim Ryan, D-Franklin, HB1461 would raise fines for driving overweight from $100 to $300. Subsequent offenses within one year would result in $750 fines – up from $250.
Trucks found in violation while driving on non-interstates and general highways in the state would face $300 fines or 6 cents for each pound in excess of the prescribed weight, whichever is greater – up from $200 or 2 cents. Repeat offenses would result in $750 fines or 6 cents per pound – up from $250 or 2 cents. Subsequent offenses would result in $750 fines or 6 cents per pound up to an excess of 15,000 pounds – up from $250 or 2 cents. When the excess is between 15,001 pounds and 30,000 pounds, it would increase to 9 cents per pound and 12 cents per pound when the excess is more than 30,000 pounds – up from 3 cents and 4 cents, respectively.
Exceeding the posted weight limit on bridges would result in $600 fines – up from $200. Driving on bridges that trucks are prohibited from crossing would result in $1,200 fines – up from $400.
The additional revenue would be earmarked for the state’s highway fund.
For House bill status, call (603) 271-2548.