Version:

Existing state and federal law sets specified limits on the total gross weight imposed on the highway by any group of 2 or more consecutive axles. Existing federal law authorizes a vehicle operated by an engine fueled primarily by natural gas to exceed these weight limits, up to a specified maximum, by an amount equal to the difference between the weight of the vehicle attributable to the natural gas tank and fueling system carried by that vehicle and the weight of a comparable diesel tank and fueling system.

This bill would authorize a vehicle operated by an engine fueled wholly or partially primarily by natural gas to exceed these weight limits by an amount, up to a specified maximum, equal to the difference between the weight of the vehicle attributable to the natural gas tank and fueling system carried by that vehicle and the weight of a comparable diesel tank and fueling system. The bill would additionally require the University of California Institute of Transportation Studies or the Department of Transportation to estimate the damage caused by vehicles operating pursuant to this authorization and report its findings to the Senate Committee on Transportation and Housing and the Assembly Committee on Transportation on or before October 1, 2018.

Version:

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1.Section 35551 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:35551.

(a)Except as otherwise provided in this section or Section 35551.5, the total gross weight in pounds imposed on the highway by any group of two or more consecutive axles shall not exceed that given for the respective distance in the following table:

Distance in feet between the extremes of any group of 2 or more consecutive
axles	2 axles	3 axles	4 axles	5 axles	6 axles
4	34,000	34,000	34,000	34,000	34,000
5	34,000	34,000	34,000	34,000	34,000
6	34,000	34,000	34,000	34,000	34,000
7	34,000	34,000	34,000	34,000	34,000
8	34,000	34,000	34,000	34,000	34,000
9	39,000	42,500	42,500	42,500	42,500
10	40,000	43,500	43,500	43,500	43,500
11	40,000	44,000	44,000	44,000	44,000
12	40,000	45,000	50,000	50,000	50,000
13	40,000	45,500	50,500	50,500	50,500
14	40,000	46,500	51,500	51,500	51,500
15	40,000	47,000	52,000	52,000	52,000
16	40,000	48,000	52,500	52,500	52,500
17	40,000	48,500	53,500	53,500	53,500
18	40,000	49,500	54,000	54,000	54,000
19	40,000	50,000	54,500	54,500	54,500
20	40,000	51,000	55,500	55,500	55,500
21	40,000	51,500	56,000	56,000	56,000
22	40,000	52,500	56,500	56,500	56,500
23	40,000	53,000	57,500	57,500	57,500
24	40,000	54,000	58,000	58,000	58,000
25	40,000	54,500	58,500	58,500	58,500
26	40,000	55,500	59,500	59,500	59,500
27	40,000	56,000	60,000	60,000	60,000
28	40,000	57,000	60,500	60,500	60,500
29	40,000	57,500	61,500	61,500	61,500
30	40,000	58,500	62,000	62,000	62,000
31	40,000	59,000	62,500	62,500	62,500
32	40,000	60,000	63,500	63,500	63,500
33	40,000	60,000	64,000	64,000	64,000
34	40,000	60,000	64,500	64,500	64,500
35	40,000	60,000	65,500	65,500	65,500
36	40,000	60,000	66,000	66,000	66,000
37	40,000	60,000	66,500	66,500	66,500
38	40,000	60,000	67,500	67,500	67,500
39	40,000	60,000	68,000	68,000	68,000
40	40,000	60,000	68,500	70,000	70,000
41	40,000	60,000	69,500	72,000	72,000
42	40,000	60,000	70,000	73,280	73,280
43	40,000	60,000	70,500	73,280	73,280
44	40,000	60,000	71,500	73,280	73,280
45	40,000	60,000	72,000	76,000	80,000
46	40,000	60,000	72,500	76,500	80,000
47	40,000	60,000	73,500	77,500	80,000
48	40,000	60,000	74,000	78,000	80,000
49	40,000	60,000	74,500	78,500	80,000
50	40,000	60,000	75,500	79,000	80,000
51	40,000	60,000	76,000	80,000	80,000
52	40,000	60,000	76,500	80,000	80,000
53	40,000	60,000	77,500	80,000	80,000
54	40,000	60,000	78,000	80,000	80,000
55	40,000	60,000	78,500	80,000	80,000
56	40,000	60,000	79,500	80,000	80,000
57	40,000	60,000	80,000	80,000	80,000
58	40,000	60,000	80,000	80,000	80,000
59	40,000	60,000	80,000	80,000	80,000
60	40,000	60,000	80,000	80,000	80,000

(b)In addition to the weights specified in subdivision (a), two consecutive sets of tandem axles may carry a gross weight of 34,000 pounds each if the overall distance between the first and last axles of the consecutive sets of tandem axles is 36 feet or more. The gross weight of each set of tandem axles shall not exceed 34,000 pounds and the gross weight of the two consecutive sets of tandem axles shall not exceed 68,000 pounds.

(c)The distance between axles shall be measured to the nearest whole foot. When a fraction is exactly six inches, the next larger whole foot shall be used.

(d)Nothing contained in this section shall affect the right to prohibit the use of any highway or any bridge or other structure thereon in the manner and to the extent specified in Article 4 (commencing with Section 35700) and Article 5 (commencing with Section 35750) of this chapter.

(e)The gross weight limits expressed by this section and Section 35550 shall include all enforcement tolerances.

(f)(1)A motor vehicle, if operated by an engine fueled wholly or partially primarily by compressed or liquefied natural gas, may exceed axle, tandem, gross, or bridge formula weight limits by an amount, not to exceed a maximum of 2,000 pounds, that is equal to the difference between the weight of the vehicle attributable to the natural gas tank and fueling system carried by that vehicle and the weight of a comparable diesel tank and fueling system.

(2)The weight exemption authorized pursuant to this subdivision is pursuant to subdivision (s) of Section 127 of Title 23 of the United States Code, as amended by Section 1410 of the Fixing Americas Surface Transportation Act.

(g)(1)The University of California Institute of Transportation Studies, or, if the institute concludes it is unable to do so, the Department of Transportation, shall conduct an analysis to estimate the damage caused by vehicles operating pursuant to subdivision (f) and estimate a fee that compensates for the cost of that damage. The institute or the department shall complete this analysis and report its findings to the Senate Committee on Transportation and Housing and the Assembly Committee on Transportation on or before October 1, 2018.

(2)The requirement for submitting a report imposed under this subdivision is inoperative on October 1, 2022, pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1.Section 35551 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:35551.

Distance in feet between the extremes of any group of 2 or more consecutive
axles	2 axles	3 axles	4 axles	5 axles	6 axles
4	34,000	34,000	34,000	34,000	34,000
5	34,000	34,000	34,000	34,000	34,000
6	34,000	34,000	34,000	34,000	34,000
7	34,000	34,000	34,000	34,000	34,000
8	34,000	34,000	34,000	34,000	34,000
9	39,000	42,500	42,500	42,500	42,500
10	40,000	43,500	43,500	43,500	43,500
11	40,000	44,000	44,000	44,000	44,000
12	40,000	45,000	50,000	50,000	50,000
13	40,000	45,500	50,500	50,500	50,500
14	40,000	46,500	51,500	51,500	51,500
15	40,000	47,000	52,000	52,000	52,000
16	40,000	48,000	52,500	52,500	52,500
17	40,000	48,500	53,500	53,500	53,500
18	40,000	49,500	54,000	54,000	54,000
19	40,000	50,000	54,500	54,500	54,500
20	40,000	51,000	55,500	55,500	55,500
21	40,000	51,500	56,000	56,000	56,000
22	40,000	52,500	56,500	56,500	56,500
23	40,000	53,000	57,500	57,500	57,500
24	40,000	54,000	58,000	58,000	58,000
25	40,000	54,500	58,500	58,500	58,500
26	40,000	55,500	59,500	59,500	59,500
27	40,000	56,000	60,000	60,000	60,000
28	40,000	57,000	60,500	60,500	60,500
29	40,000	57,500	61,500	61,500	61,500
30	40,000	58,500	62,000	62,000	62,000
31	40,000	59,000	62,500	62,500	62,500
32	40,000	60,000	63,500	63,500	63,500
33	40,000	60,000	64,000	64,000	64,000
34	40,000	60,000	64,500	64,500	64,500
35	40,000	60,000	65,500	65,500	65,500
36	40,000	60,000	66,000	66,000	66,000
37	40,000	60,000	66,500	66,500	66,500
38	40,000	60,000	67,500	67,500	67,500
39	40,000	60,000	68,000	68,000	68,000
40	40,000	60,000	68,500	70,000	70,000
41	40,000	60,000	69,500	72,000	72,000
42	40,000	60,000	70,000	73,280	73,280
43	40,000	60,000	70,500	73,280	73,280
44	40,000	60,000	71,500	73,280	73,280
45	40,000	60,000	72,000	76,000	80,000
46	40,000	60,000	72,500	76,500	80,000
47	40,000	60,000	73,500	77,500	80,000
48	40,000	60,000	74,000	78,000	80,000
49	40,000	60,000	74,500	78,500	80,000
50	40,000	60,000	75,500	79,000	80,000
51	40,000	60,000	76,000	80,000	80,000
52	40,000	60,000	76,500	80,000	80,000
53	40,000	60,000	77,500	80,000	80,000
54	40,000	60,000	78,000	80,000	80,000
55	40,000	60,000	78,500	80,000	80,000
56	40,000	60,000	79,500	80,000	80,000
57	40,000	60,000	80,000	80,000	80,000
58	40,000	60,000	80,000	80,000	80,000
59	40,000	60,000	80,000	80,000	80,000
60	40,000	60,000	80,000	80,000	80,000

(c)The distance between axles shall be measured to the nearest whole foot. When a fraction is exactly six inches, the next larger whole foot shall be used.

(e)The gross weight limits expressed by this section and Section 35550 shall include all enforcement tolerances.

(f)A vehicle, if operated by an engine fueled primarily by natural gas, may exceed any vehicle weight limit under this section by an amount that is equal to the difference between the weight of the vehicle attributable to the natural gas tank and fueling system carried by that vehicle and the weight of a comparable diesel tank and fueling system. The maximum gross vehicle weight of a vehicle subject to this subdivision is 82,000 pounds.

(f)(1)A motor vehicle, if operated by an engine fueled wholly or partially by compressed or liquefied natural gas, may exceed axle, tandem, gross, or bridge formula weight limits by an amount, not to exceed a maximum of 2,000 pounds, that is equal to the difference between the weight of the vehicle attributable to the natural gas tank and fueling system carried by that vehicle and the weight of a comparable diesel tank and fueling system.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1.Section 35551 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:35551.

Distance in feet between the extremes of any group of 2 or more consecutive
axles	2 axles	3 axles	4 axles	5 axles	6 axles
4	34,000	34,000	34,000	34,000	34,000
5	34,000	34,000	34,000	34,000	34,000
6	34,000	34,000	34,000	34,000	34,000
7	34,000	34,000	34,000	34,000	34,000
8	34,000	34,000	34,000	34,000	34,000
9	39,000	42,500	42,500	42,500	42,500
10	40,000	43,500	43,500	43,500	43,500
11	40,000	44,000	44,000	44,000	44,000
12	40,000	45,000	50,000	50,000	50,000
13	40,000	45,500	50,500	50,500	50,500
14	40,000	46,500	51,500	51,500	51,500
15	40,000	47,000	52,000	52,000	52,000
16	40,000	48,000	52,500	52,500	52,500
17	40,000	48,500	53,500	53,500	53,500
18	40,000	49,500	54,000	54,000	54,000
19	40,000	50,000	54,500	54,500	54,500
20	40,000	51,000	55,500	55,500	55,500
21	40,000	51,500	56,000	56,000	56,000
22	40,000	52,500	56,500	56,500	56,500
23	40,000	53,000	57,500	57,500	57,500
24	40,000	54,000	58,000	58,000	58,000
25	40,000	54,500	58,500	58,500	58,500
26	40,000	55,500	59,500	59,500	59,500
27	40,000	56,000	60,000	60,000	60,000
28	40,000	57,000	60,500	60,500	60,500
29	40,000	57,500	61,500	61,500	61,500
30	40,000	58,500	62,000	62,000	62,000
31	40,000	59,000	62,500	62,500	62,500
32	40,000	60,000	63,500	63,500	63,500
33	40,000	60,000	64,000	64,000	64,000
34	40,000	60,000	64,500	64,500	64,500
35	40,000	60,000	65,500	65,500	65,500
36	40,000	60,000	66,000	66,000	66,000
37	40,000	60,000	66,500	66,500	66,500
38	40,000	60,000	67,500	67,500	67,500
39	40,000	60,000	68,000	68,000	68,000
40	40,000	60,000	68,500	70,000	70,000
41	40,000	60,000	69,500	72,000	72,000
42	40,000	60,000	70,000	73,280	73,280
43	40,000	60,000	70,500	73,280	73,280
44	40,000	60,000	71,500	73,280	73,280
45	40,000	60,000	72,000	76,000	80,000
46	40,000	60,000	72,500	76,500	80,000
47	40,000	60,000	73,500	77,500	80,000
48	40,000	60,000	74,000	78,000	80,000
49	40,000	60,000	74,500	78,500	80,000
50	40,000	60,000	75,500	79,000	80,000
51	40,000	60,000	76,000	80,000	80,000
52	40,000	60,000	76,500	80,000	80,000
53	40,000	60,000	77,500	80,000	80,000
54	40,000	60,000	78,000	80,000	80,000
55	40,000	60,000	78,500	80,000	80,000
56	40,000	60,000	79,500	80,000	80,000
57	40,000	60,000	80,000	80,000	80,000
58	40,000	60,000	80,000	80,000	80,000
59	40,000	60,000	80,000	80,000	80,000
60	40,000	60,000	80,000	80,000	80,000

(c)The distance between axles shall be measured to the nearest whole foot. When a fraction is exactly six inches, the next larger whole foot shall be used.

(e)The gross weight limits expressed by this section and Section 35550 shall include all enforcement tolerances.

Date	Status
Feb 1, 2018	Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
May 25, 2017	May 25 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.
May 19, 2017	Set for hearing May 25.
May 15, 2017	May 15 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.
May 4, 2017	Set for hearing May 15.
May 3, 2017	May 8 hearing postponed by committee.
May 1, 2017	Set for hearing May 8.
Apr 26, 2017	Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
Apr 25, 2017	From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 11. Noes 0. Page 749.) (April 18).
Apr 4, 2017	Set for hearing April 18.
Apr 3, 2017	April 4 set for first hearing canceled at the request of author.
Mar 20, 2017	From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on T. & H.
Mar 14, 2017	Set for hearing April 4.
Jan 12, 2017	Referred to Com. on T. & H.
Dec 6, 2016	From printer. May be acted upon on or after January 5.
Dec 5, 2016	Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Date	Description	Location	Votes
May 15, 2017	Placed on suspense file	Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations	7 0 0 Passed
Apr 18, 2017	Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations]	Senate Standing Committee on Transportation and Housing	11 0 2 Passed

Key

Pro

Against

Did Not Vote

This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.

Positions by individuals are not included.

* Testimony in a hearing

** Position recorded in bill analysis

*** Position recorded in written testimony

Organization	Position	Date
Accurate Underground and Grading, Inc.	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Agility Fuel Solutions	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Alameda County Industries	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Alliant Specialty Insurance Services	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
ANGI	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Antonini Freight Express, Inc.	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Athens Services	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Atlas Industries	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Bay Counties SMaRT	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Bioenergy Association of California	* Support	Apr 18, 2017
BLT Enterprises	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
BMS Technologies	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Burrtec Waste Industries Inc.	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
CALCIMA	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
California Capters of Swana	* Support	Apr 18, 2017
California Natural Gas Vehicle Association	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
California Refuse Recycling Council	* Support	Apr 18, 2017
California Trucking Association	* Support	Apr 18, 2017
Californians Against Waste	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Calportland Company	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
CASS Inc.	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Chavez Transport Inc.	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Cherry Engineering	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Clean Energy	* Support	Apr 18, 2017
Cleanstreet	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Cr&R, Inc.	* Support	Apr 18, 2017
Cummins & White LLP	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Desert Valley Disposal Inc.	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Dickson Co Inc.	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Direct Disposal	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
East Bay Sanitary Co.	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Ecology Recycling Services and Transportation	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
EDCO Waste and Recycling Services	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Escondido Disposal Inc.	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
EW Truck and Equipment Company Inc.	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Facility Builders and Erectors	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Fastech	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Fremont Recycling and Transfer Station	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Garden City Sanitation	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
GEOCON	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Gladstein, Neandress &Associates	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Green, Hasson, Janks LLP	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
GreenWaste Recovery Inc.	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Harris Ranch	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
hastie's capitol sand & gravel, co.	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Hasties Capitol Sand & Gravel, Co.	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Haul Away Rubbish Service Co. Inc.	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Inland Empire Disposal Association	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
J&L Transport	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
J-W Power Company	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
JRMA Architects and Engineers	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Ken Grody Ford	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Livermore Sanitation	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Los Angeles County Disposal Association	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Los Angeles County Solid Waste Management Committee	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Los Angeles County Waste Management Association	* Support	Apr 18, 2017
Marin Sanitary Service	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing Inc.	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Mission Trail Waste Systems, Inc.	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Mobile Fueling Solutions	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Mountain Valley Express	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Napa Recycling and Waste Services LLC.	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
NASA Services	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Nationwide Environmental Services	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Northern Recycling Operations and Waste Services LLC.	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Olympic Wire and Equipment	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Orchard Supply Hardware	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Pacific Rim Communications	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Palm Springs Disposal Services	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Peas Disposal Inc.	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
pena's disposal inc.	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Peninsula Sanitary Service Inc.	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Penske Truck Leasing	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Pleasanton Garbage Service	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Rainbow Environmental Services	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Ramona Disposal Service	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Raymundo Engineering Company Inc.	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
ReFuel	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Refuel Energy Partners	* Support	Apr 18, 2017
Republic Services	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Riley Electric Inc.	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
robinson's mechanical construction inc.	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Robinsons Mechanical Construction Inc.	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
San Diego County Disposal Association	* Support	Apr 18, 2017
San Diego Gas & Electric	* Support	Apr 18, 2017
SFA LLC.	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Silke Communications	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Solid Waste Association of North America	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Solid Waste Association Of Orange County	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
South Coast Air Quality Management District	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
South San Francisco Scavenger Company Inc.	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Southern California Disposal and Recycling Co Inc.	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Spear and Associations Inc.	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Strategic Materials	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
T&T Trucking	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
TruStar Energy	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Turlock Scavenger Recycling and Transfer	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Universal Waste Systems Inc.	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Upper Valley Disposal and Recycling	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Valley Vista Services Inc.	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Varner Bros., Inc.	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Volvo Trucks of North America	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
WARE Disposal Co. Inc.	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Waste Connections, Inc.	* Support	Apr 18, 2017
Waste Management	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Western Trailers	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Westhoff, Cone & Holmstedt	** Support	Apr 13, 2017
Zanker Recycling	** Support	Apr 13, 2017

* Testimony in a hearing

** Position recorded in bill analysis

*** Position recorded in written testimony

SENATE COMMITTEE ON

Senator Ricardo Lara, Chair

2017 - 2018 Regular Session

SB 53 (Hueso) - Natural gas vehicles


Version:	Policy Vote:
Urgency:	Mandate:
Hearing Date:	Consultant:

This bill meets the criteria for referral to the Suspense File.

Bill Summary:

SB 53 would authorize a motor vehicle with an engine fueled primarily by natural gas to exceed specified maximum weight limits by up to 2,000 pounds, and require a specified analysis to estimate the damage caused by these vehicles and a fee that compensates for the cost of that damage.

Fiscal Impact:

Study: Unknown, minor to significant costs for the University of California Institute of Transportation Studies (UC ITS) to perform an analysis estimating damage from overweight natural gas powered vehicles and an appropriate fee that would compensate for that damage. Actual costs would depend upon the level of detail and analysis, and whether the study included materials and structure (bridge) testing. (General Fund or Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account – RMRA)

To the extent UC ITS declines to do the study, the Department of Transportation (Caltrans) estimates that costs could be in the range of $500,000 to contract out for an expedited study, which includes field and lab research and the development of a cost model to estimate a fee that would compensate for pavement damage (State Highway Account)
Pavement degradation: Unquantifiable, potentially significant impact on pavement, roadway, and structure maintenance costs as a result of accelerated degradation by allowing the operation of overweight natural gas powered vehicles (State Highway Account, RMRA, local funds). Due to the numerous factors that may result in pavement and roadway degradation, it is impossible to calculate the isolated impacts and costs associated with the operation of overweight natural gas powered vehicles on state highways, bridges, and local streets and roads.

Background:

Existing law establishes a maximum weight on any single axle of a vehicle of 20,000 pounds, and maximum gross, or loaded weights, for vehicles, which vary based on the distance between axles and the number of axles. For two-axle vehicles the maximum weight is 40,000 pounds, for three-axle vehicles the maximum weight is 60,000 pounds, and for vehicles with four or more axles the maximum weight is 80,000 pounds. Existing law also establishes a maximum gross weight imposed by any group of two or more consecutive axles (tandem) on specified truck-trailer combinations that depend upon the distance between the first and last axle, with a maximum of 46,400 pounds for combinations of 18 feet or less, and a maximum of 76,800 for the longer combinations of 56 feet or over. Existing law also authorized Caltrans or a city with a population of over 1.1 million by 1970 to lower the maximum vehicle weights for bridges for safety reasons, as specified, and requires signs specifying the maximum weights on bridges under those circumstances.

The most recent federal transportation authorization, the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act of 2015 authorizes vehicles operated by an engine fueled primarily by natural gas, to exceed any vehicle weight limit by an amount equal to the difference between the weight attributable to the natural gas tank and fueling system and the weight of a comparable diesel tank and fueling system (up to a maximum vehicle weight of 82,000 pounds). The FAST Act left it up to the states to increase maximum vehicle weight as a result of a natural gas powered engine.

Existing law, as enacted by the recent transportation funding measure SB 1 (Beall), Chap. 5/2017, establishes the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation (RMR) Program to address deferred maintenance on the state highway system and the local street and road system. While the majority of funding in the program is allocated to Caltrans and local agencies for those purposes, the program also provides for the allocation of $5 million per year to the UC ITS to fund transportation research and transportation-related workforce education, training, and development.

Proposed Law:

SB 53 would authorize a motor vehicle powered by an engine fueled primarily by compressed or liquefied natural gas to exceed the specified maximum axle, tandem, gross, or bridge formula weight limits by up to 2,000 pounds, or the weight differential between the natural gas tank and fueling system and a comparable diesel tank and fueling system, whichever is less.

The bill would also require the UC ITS, or Caltrans, if the UC ITS determines it is unable, to conduct an analysis to estimate the damage caused by vehicles operating pursuant to the overweight natural gas vehicle exception, and estimate a fee that compensates for the cost of that damage. The UC ITS or Caltrans must complete the study and report its findings to the Legislature by October 1, 2018, as specified.

Related Legislation:

SB 1250 (Bloom), Chap. 484/2015, authorized the permanent operation of existing overweight transit buses, and established a declining maximum unladen weight per axle for future transit bus procurements.

Staff Comments:

Allowing the operation of overweight vehicles on the state’s highways and local streets and roads contributes to the problem of pavement degradation at a time when the roadways are in an ongoing state of disrepair. A recent needs assessment indicates that in order to fully fund necessary maintenance and preservation of local streets and roads, an additional $78 billion in funding is needed over the next ten years. In addition, the Administration has estimated that the state faces a $59 billion shortfall over the same period to adequately maintain the existing state highway system. Since there are many factors that contribute to pavement degradation, it is impossible to quantify the isolated impacts that overweight natural gas powered vehicles may have on pavement lifespan and the costs associated with those impacts, although it is undeniable that they would be a contributing factor, especially related to those vehicles that make frequent stops. The increased weight limits for natural gas powered vehicles specified in this bill would further accelerate pavement degradation throughout the state.

This bill requires either UC ITS or Caltrans to perform an analysis to estimate the damage caused by overweight natural gas vehicles, as specified, and to estimate a fee that would compensate for the cost of that damage. Staff notes that the University of California was unable to provide a finalized cost estimate at the time of this analysis that included assumed parameters of study. Caltrans indicates that it would likely contract out for the study, considering it is due by October of 2018, at an estimated cost of approximately $500,000, which would consist of a review of literature on damage caused by overloading structures, field and lab research, and developing a cost model to estimate a fee to compensate for damage caused by overweight natural gas powered vehicles.

Staff notes that the May Revision to the Governor’s proposed 2017-18 Budget includes the full first-year allocation of funding to the UC ITS from the RMR program. If the 2017-18 Enacted Budget includes the UC ITS allocation, it would appear to be an appropriate funding source for the study specified in this bill. If the RMRA allocation is not included in the enacted budget, any UC ITS costs for the study would be a General Fund impact.

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SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING

Senator Jim Beall, Chair

2017 - 2018 Regular

Bill No: Hearing Date: 4/18/2017

Author:	Hueso
Version:	3/20/2017 Amended
Urgency:	No	Fiscal:	Yes
Consultant:	Randy Chinn

SUBJECT: .

DIGEST: This bill authorizes vehicles wholly or partially powered by natural gas to exceed normal weight limits by up to 2,000 pounds.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law: establishes maximum gross, or loaded weights, for vehicles, which vary based on the distance between axles and the number of axles. For two-axle vehicles the maximum weight is 40,000 pounds, for three-axle vehicles the maximum weight is 60,000 pounds, and for vehicles with four or more axles the maximum weight is 80,000 pounds.

This bill authorizes vehicles fueled wholly or partially by natural gas to exceed the maximum weight by up to 2000 pounds, or the extra weight attributable to the natural gas tank and fuel system, whichever is less.

COMMENTS:

Purpose. According to the author, natural gas vehicles generate 90% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than traditional gasoline or diesel-powered vehicles. With garbage trucks, the natural gas fuel systems can add up to 2,000 pounds to a vehicle’s weight. This additional weight reduces the capacity of the truck by about 10%, requiring 10% more trips. This inefficiency can offset the environmental benefits of natural gas vehicles. The Federal FAST Act of 2015 acknowledges this by allowing natural gas vehicles to exceed the federal weight limit by up to 2,000 pounds. States can choose to do the same, preserving the environmental and energy independence benefits of natural gas vehicles.
Weight Equals Damage. California has struggled to deal with finding adequate funding to repair our failing highways, roads and bridges. Using this infrastructure damages it, and the most damage comes from heavy vehicles. If only passenger vehicles used our roads we would see very little damage. An analysis from the Government Accounting Office observed that one truck loaded to its legal limit damages the roads as much as 9,600 passenger vehicles.^[1] Other studies have indicated lesser damage but all show that heavy trucks are at least 1000 times more damaging to roads than passenger vehicles.^[2] This shows that the damage to the roads is much more than proportionate to the weight. Some analyses show that the road damage increases by the power of 4 to the increase in weight (e.g. a doubling of the weight increases the damage by 16 times).^[3] Therefore, increasing the weight on one axle from 20,000 pounds, the current limit, to 22,000 pounds, as authorized by this bill, increases the road damage by nearly 50%.

In some ways, refuse trucks are the worst trucks to be allowed to carry extra weight. This is because refuse trucks drive on every local street which, unlike concrete interstate freeways, are not built to handle heavy loads. Also, the damage from heavy vehicles occurs when the vehicle stops, as refuse trucks do at every residence. The stopping creates a friction which disturbs both the pavement and the subgrade. The damage done by heavy vehicles is magnified on already damaged roads. The sponsors note that the overweight only occurs towards the end of the route as the refuse truck fills. However, the extra 2000 pounds is carried all the time.

Conflicting Values. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and criteria pollutants is a statewide policy which is reflected in numerous California laws and regulations. Replacing diesel-powered vehicles with natural gas-fueled power supports that policy. But pursuit of this policy can conflict with other important public policy goals, such as maintaining safe and functional roads, highways and bridges. Natural gas-powered refuse trucks are commercially available at weights which do not exceed current California limits. Consequently, raising maximum weights is not necessary if the goal is to replace diesel with natural gas. But the sponsors contend that those trucks have a smaller payload and must therefore make additional trips to service the same number of homes, diminishing the environmental benefits of the natural gas fueling.
Paying for the Damage. Because extra weight increases road damage, it may be appropriate for the parties causing the damage to pay for it, rather than leaving the cost to the public at large. At a minimum, the damage should be assessed. The author and committee may wish to consider having Caltrans conduct an analysis to determine the cost, if any, of the increased damage caused by the extra weight of these vehicles.
Conforming to Federal Law. The federal law authorizing certain natural gas powered vehicles to exceed the federal weight limit uses slightly different definitions of eligible vehicles and weight limits than this bill. Because this bill is intended to be an extension of the federal eligibility, the author and committee may wish to consider adopting the same definitional language as in federal law.

Related Legislation:

AB 1250 (Bloom; Chapter 484 of 2015) — this bill establishes a program and schedule for transit agencies to reduce the weight of overweight busses.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No

POSITIONS: (Communicated to the committee before noon on Wednesday,

April 12, 2017.)

SUPPORT:

San Diego County Disposal Association (co-sponsor)

California Natural Gas Vehicle Association (co-sponsor)

Accurate Underground and Grading, Inc.

Agility Fuel Solutions

Alameda County Industries

Alliant Specialty Insurance Services

ANGI

Antonini Freight Express, Inc.

Athens Services

Atlas Industries

Bay Counties Smart

Bioenergy Association of California

BLT Enterprises

BMS Technologies

Burrtec Waste Industries Inc.

CALCIMA

California Refuse Recycling Council

California Trucking Association

Californians Against Waste

CalPortland Company

CASS Inc.

Chavez Transport Inc.

Cherry Engineering

CleanStreet

Clean Energy

CR&R Inc.

Cummins & White LLP

Desert Valley Disposal Inc.

Dickson Co Inc.

Direct Disposal

East Bay Sanitary Co.

Ecology Recycling Services and Transportation

EDCO Waste and Recycling Services

Escondido Disposal Inc.

EW Truck and Equipment Company Inc.

Facility Builders and Erectors

FASTECH

Fremont Recycling and Transfer Station

Garden City Sanitation

GEOCON

Gladstein, Neandress &Associates

Green, Hasson, Janks LLP

GreenWaste Recovery Inc.

Harris Ranch

Haul Away Rubbish Service Co. Inc.

Hastie’s Capitol Sand & Gravel, Co.

Inland Empire Disposal Association

J&L Transport

JRMA Architects and Engineers

J-W Power Company

Ken Grody Ford

Los Angeles County Disposal Association

Los Angeles County Solid Waste Management Committee

Los Angeles County Waste Management Association

Livermore Sanitation

Marin Sanitary Service

McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing Inc.

Mission Trail Waste Systems, Inc.

Mobile Fueling Solutions

Mountain Valley Express

Napa Recycling and Waste Services LLC.

NASA Services

Nationwide Environmental Services

Northern Recycling Operations and Waste Services LLC.

Olympic Wire and Equipment

Orchard Supply Hardware

Pacific Rim Communications

Palm Springs Disposal Services

Peña’s Disposal Inc.

Penske Truck Leasing

Pleasanton Garbage Service

Peninsula Sanitary Service Inc.

Rainbow Environmental Services

Ramona Disposal Service

Raymundo Engineering Company Inc.

Refuel

Republic Services

Riley Electric Inc.

Robinson’s Mechanical Construction Inc.

San Diego Gas & Electric Company

SFA LLC.

Silke Communications

Solid Waste Association of North America

Solid Waste Association of Orange County

Southern California Gas Company

Southern California Disposal and Recycling Co Inc.

South Coast Air Quality Management District

South San Francisco Scavenger Company Inc.

Spear and Associations Inc.

Strategic Materials

T&T Trucking

TruStar Energy

Turlock Scavenger Recycling and Transfer

Upper Valley Disposal and Recycling

UPS

Universal Waste Systems Inc.

Valley Vista Services Inc.

Varner Bros., Inc.

Volvo Trucks of North America

WARE Disposal Co. Inc.

Waste Connections, Inc.

Waste Management

Western Trailers

Westhoff, Cone & Holmstedt

Zanker Recycling

OPPOSITION:

None received.

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Comptroller General’s report to Congress: An Expensive Burden We Can No Longer Support; CED-79-94. ↑
See “Too Big for The Road”, from Governing, July 2007; also, “Residential Solid Waste Profile & Assessment Report” by Washtenaw County Michigan Department of Planning and Environmental Solid Waste Program, May 2005. ↑
See “Pavements and Truck Size and Weight Regulations”, Working Paper 3 prepared for the Federal Highway Administration; February 1995. ↑

Discussed in Hearing