DRAFT ONLY - APPROVAL PENDING

Wyoming Legislature
Subcommittee Meeting Summary of Proceedings

Joint Interim Transportation and Public Highways – Truck Regulations

July 29, 2003                                                                                                                                                         Room # 302

213 Capitol Building

                                                                                                                        Cheyenne, Wyoming

Meeting Attendance (Present)

Committee Members

Chairman Tom Walsh

Senator Larry Caller.

Representative Jene Jansen.

Legislative Service Office

Karen Ashcraft Byrne, Attorney.

Others Present

Please refer to Appendix 1 to review the Committee Sign-in Sheet for a list of other individuals who attended the meeting.

Written Meeting Materials and Handouts

All meeting materials and handouts provided to the Committee by the Legislative Service Office (LSO), public officials, lobbyists, and the public are referenced in the Meeting Materials Index, attached to the minutes. These materials are on file at the LSO and are part of the official record of the meeting.

Call To Order (July 29, 2003)

Chairman Tom Walsh called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m.  Roll call was taken.  The Subcommittee looked at 03SF0030 "Waiver-vehicle height and weight restrictions" legislation from last year [Appendix 2].

Height and weight specifications for trucks

The Subcommittee discussed the height and width requirements of vehicles.  Chairman Tom Walsh invited the audience to share their thoughts, concerns and suggestions regarding oversized loads.  The Highway Patrol stated that their main concern was safety.  At present, drivers can get permission to have oversized loads but last year some of the drivers didn't know they needed a waiver.  Sleeter Dover, Director, Department of Transportation, stated that the major problem with oversized loaded trucks was not statutory but involved individuals who did not understand the waiver process.  He stated that a better communications system was needed.

The Subcommittee was told that information is on the department's web site and also the department is starting a new Internet program that will have even more information.

Several letters were introduced for the record regarding citizen opinions on oversized truck loads.  [Appendices 3 – 9].

Dick Hartman, Union Pacific, told the Subcommittee that the American Trucking Associations and Association of American Railroads reached a national agreement to support no changes in the truck requirements in TEA-21 [federal legislation].  [Appendix 10].

Mr. Dover said he didn't think legislation was necessary and proposed for the Department of Transportation's Public Affairs Office to work with the Department of Agriculture and other interested groups to get the necessary information about oversized truck load waivers to the people who needed it and report back either to the Subcommittee or the Joint Interim Transportation and Highways Committee.  The Subcommittee unanimously determined that this proposal would comprise official subcommittee action

Meeting Adjournment

There being no further business, Chairman Tom Walsh adjourned the meeting at 11:15 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Representative Tom Walsh,

Chairman