Politics
Politics

Georgia lawmakers approve compromise truck weight bill

Senate Majority Leader Steve Gooch, R-Dahlonega, gets an earful from lobbyists Wednesday night. Gooch was one of the lawmakers who negotiated a compromise on House Bill 189, which would raise the maximum weight of trucks carrying some goods.

Credit: David Wickert

Credit: David Wickert

Senate Majority Leader Steve Gooch, R-Dahlonega, gets an earful from lobbyists Wednesday night. Gooch was one of the lawmakers who negotiated a compromise on House Bill 189, which would raise the maximum weight of trucks carrying some goods.
By
March 30, 2023

The General Assembly Wednesday narrowly approved a compromise measure that will allow heavier trucks on Georgia highways for two years.

State law limits trucks to 80,000 pounds, though those carrying certain products can weigh up to 84,000 pounds. House Bill 189 would allow trucks carrying agricultural and forestry products to weigh up to 88,000 pounds.

It’s been one of the most hotly contested issues of the legislative session – and it only got more heated before a compromise was reached late Wednesday.

Read more here.

- LIVE: Watch streams of the Georgia House and Senate

About the Author

David Wickert writes about the state budget, finance and voting issues. Previously, he covered local government and politics in Gwinnett and Fulton counties. Before moving to Atlanta, he worked at newspapers in Illinois, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington.

Follow David Wickert on facebookFollow David Wickert on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Athens-area voters will vote in a special election on Dec. 9 to fill a vacancy in House District 121. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Athens area voters to decide new state representative in special election

With a state House seat in Athens open, Republicans are looking to preserve the seat while Democrats are hoping to flip it.

Akbar Ali wins Gwinnett state House seat in runoff election

Democrats Akbar Ali defeated Democrat Marqus Cole in a runoff special election Tuesday to represent House District 106, which covers portions of Lawrenceville and Snellville.

Teen GOP activist steps down from party leadership post

Greene County native and University of North Georgia student Ja’Quon Stembridge, 19, had run on boosting youth involvement in the party.

The Latest

Georgia state Rep. Houston Gaines, R-Athens, hopes to win a seat in Congress. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

LISTEN

State lawmaker Houston Gaines explains why he’s running for Congress

Athens area voters to decide new state representative in special election

Akbar Ali wins Gwinnett state House seat in runoff election

Featured

Atlanta firefighters, crash on Piedmont Avenue at Monroe Drive

Credit: Ben Hendren

Report: Traffic fatalities outpace homicides in metro Atlanta

Analysis draws comparison between the two, pointing out that roadway deaths should be more preventable than violence, with proven safety upgrades that can prevent them.

Publix to close two Atlanta area stores, including longtime Midtown location

Publix will shutter two of its metro Atlanta stores on Dec. 27.

Nation’s No. 1 QB prospect ‘disappointed’ in Tuesday’s leak of flip to Vandy

Jared Curtis, who will play for a state championship in Tennessee this week, delivered a sense of finality to his college recruiting process late Tuesday: He is a Commodore.