Harvest weight-limit rule gets panel’s OK

The state Highway Commission on Wednesday approved an emergency rule exempting weight limits for certain haulers of agriculture products on select state highways during harvest this fall. The rule now goes to the executive subcommittee of the Arkansas Legislative Council.

Rep. Dan Douglas, RBentonville, chairman of the House Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development Committee, asked for the emergency rule because the exemption might not be available this fall if Act 1085 of 2017 went through the normal process for new rules and regulations.

Approved by the House and Senate, Act 1085 sets a weight limit of 100,000 pounds for haulers of most Arkansas agricultural products. The weight limit on Arkansas highways and bridges generally is 80,000 pounds. Timber and forestry products aren’t exempted in Act 1085.

Routes for the exemptions will be determined by Arkansas Department of Transportation officials and will be limited to roads between fields and the “first point of processing.” Interstate highways can’t be used under the exemption.