Rep. Spencer Frye, a Democrat from Athens, said Tuesday that the frets over the safety perils of bigger rig trucks on Georgia roads are likely overblown.
Frye backed a measure sponsored by Republican Stephen Meeks of Screven that passed by a 93-81 vote. The measure would extend higher weight limits for commercial trucks imposed by executive orders related to the pandemic and inflation.
House Bill 189 was narrowed from covering commercial vehicles of any type to only affecting truckers hauling agricultural and forestry cargo like timber, concrete, solid waste, cotton and animal feed.
(READ MORE: Northwest Georgia officials criticize truck weight increase legislation)
Those in favor argue that federal permits are available for trucks bringing in products from the state’s ports that weigh up to 100,000 pounds. According to House Bill 189, agricultural and logging tractor trailers would not pay any extra penalty until the load exceeds 93,000 pounds.