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2015 SESSION
15100594DBe it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That § 46.2-1143 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§ 46.2-1143. Overweight permits for vehicles hauling cargoes; penalties.
A. The Commissioner upon written application by the owner or
operator of vehicles used exclusively for hauling coal or
coal byproducts from a mine or other place of production to a
preparation plant, electricity-generation facility, loading dock, or railroad cargoes shall issue, without a fee, a permit authorizing those
vehicles to operate with gross weights in excess of those established in §
46.2-1126 on the conditions set forth in this section.
B. Vehicles with three axles may have a maximum gross weight, when loaded, of no more than 60,000 pounds, a single axle weight of not more than 24,000 pounds and a tandem axle weight of no more than 45,000 pounds. Vehicles with four axles may have a maximum gross weight, when loaded, of no more than 70,000 pounds, a single axle weight of no more than 24,000 pounds, and a tri-axle weight of no more than 50,000 pounds. Vehicles with five axles having no less than 35 feet of axle space between extreme axles may have a maximum gross weight, when loaded, of no more than 90,000 pounds, a single axle weight of no more than 20,000 pounds, and a tandem axle weight of no more than 40,000 pounds. Vehicles with six axles may have a maximum gross weight, when loaded, of no more than 110,000 pounds, a single axle weight of no more than 24,000 pounds, a tandem axle weight of no more than 44,000 pounds, and a tri-axle weight of no more than 54,500 pounds.
C. No For vehicles used to haul
coal, no load of any vehicle
operating under a permit issued according to this section shall rise above the
top of the bed of such vehicle, not including extensions of the bed. Three-axle
vehicles shall not carry loads in excess of the maximum bed size in cubic feet
for such vehicle which shall be computed by a formula of 60,000 pounds minus
the weight of the empty truck divided by the average weight of coal. For the
purposes of this section, the average weight of coal shall be 52 pounds per
cubic foot. Four-axle vehicles shall not carry loads in excess of the maximum
bed size for such vehicle which shall be computed by a formula of 70,000 pounds
minus the weight of the truck empty divided by the average weight of coal.
Five-axle vehicles shall not carry loads in excess of the maximum bed size for
such vehicle, which shall be computed by a formula of 90,000 pounds minus the
weight of the truck empty divided by the average weight of coal. Six-axle vehicles
shall not carry loads in excess of the maximum bed size for such vehicle, which
shall be computed by a formula of 110,000 pounds minus the weight of the truck
empty divided by the average weight of coal.
D. For the purposes of this section, "bed," for vehicles used to haul coal, means that part of the vehicle used to haul coal. Bed size shall be based on its interior dimensions, which may be determined by measuring the exterior of the bed, with volume expressed in cubic feet. In order to ensure compliance with this section by visual inspection, if the actual bed size of the vehicle exceeds the maximum as provided above, the owner or operator shall be required to paint a horizontal line two inches wide on the sides of the outside of the bed of the vehicle, clearly visible to indicate the uppermost limit of the maximum bed size applicable to the vehicle as provided in this section. In addition, one hole two inches high and six inches long on each side of the bed shall be cut in the center of the bed and at the top of the painted line. Any vehicle in violation of this section shall subject the vehicle's owner or operator or both to a penalty of $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second offense within a 12-month period, and $1,000 and revocation of the permit for a third offense within a 12-month period from the first offense.
E. If the bed of any vehicle used to haul coal is enlarged beyond the maximum bed size for which its permit was granted, or if the line or holes required are altered so that the vehicle exceeds the bed size for which its permit was granted, the owner, operator, or both shall be subject to a penalty of $1,000 for each offense and revocation of the permit. Upon revocation, a permit shall not be reissued for six months. The penalties provided in this section shall be in lieu of those imposed under § 46.2-1135.
F. For any vehicle used to haul coal with a valid permit issued pursuant to the conditions required by this section, when carrying loads which do not rise above the top of the bed or the line indicating the bed's maximum size, if applicable, it shall be, in the absence of proof to the contrary, prima facie evidence that the load is within the applicable weight limits. If any vehicle is stopped by enforcement officials for carrying a load rising above the top of the bed or the line indicating the bed's maximum size, the operator of the vehicle shall be permitted to shift his load within the bed to determine whether the load can be contained in the bed without rising above its top or above the line.
G. No such permit shall be valid for the operation of any such
vehicle for a distance of more than 85 miles within the Commonwealth of
Virginia from the preparation plant, loading dock, or
railroad.
H. In counties that impose a
severance tax on gases as authorized by § 58.1-3712 or a severance license tax
on coal producers as authorized by § 58.1-3741, the Commissioner, upon written
application by the owner or operator of vehicles used exclusively for hauling
gravel, sand, or crushed stone no more than 50 miles from origin to
destination, shall issue a permit authorizing those vehicles to operate with
the weight limits prescribed in subsection B. Nothing contained in this
subsection shall authorize any extension of weight limits provided in §
46.2-1127 for operation on interstate highways. Any weight violation hauling
sand, gravel, or crushed stone under this subsection shall be subject to the
penalties authorized by § 46.2-1135.
The fee for a permit issued
under this subsection shall be $70, to be allocated as follows: (i) $65 to the
Highway Maintenance and Operating Fund established pursuant to § 33.2-1530,
with a portion equal to the percentage of the Commonwealth's total lane miles
represented by the lane miles eligible for maintenance payments pursuant to §§
33.2-319 and 33.2-366 being redistributed on the basis of lane miles to the
applicable localities pursuant to §§ 33.2-319 and 33.2-366, to be used to
assist in funding needed highway pavement and bridge maintenance and
rehabilitation and (ii) a $5 administrative fee to the Department.
I. In counties that impose a
severance tax on gases as authorized by § 58.1-3712 or a severance license tax
on coal producers as authorized by § 58.1-3741, the weight limits prescribed in
subsection B shall also apply to motor vehicles hauling liquids produced from a
gas or oil well and water used for drilling and completion of a gas or oil well
no more than 50 miles from origin to destination. Nothing contained in this
subsection shall authorize any extension of weight limits provided in §
46.2-1127 for operation on interstate highways. Any weight violation involving
hauling liquids produced from a gas or oil well and water used for drilling and
completion of a gas or oil well under this subsection shall be subject to the
penalties authorized by § 46.2-1135.