Safe Routes Act of 2025
Safe Routes Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# Safe Routes Act of 2025 - Summary **What the Bill Does** The Safe Routes Act of 2025 would allow logging vehicles to exceed federal weight limits on interstate highways under specific conditions. Currently, federal law restricts how much weight trucks can carry on interstate highways. This bill would direct the Department of Transportation to waive those limits for vehicles transporting raw forest products (like logs, wood chips, and biomass) if the trip is under 150 air miles and the vehicle meets the weight rules of the state it's operating in. **Who It Affects** The bill primarily affects the logging and forestry industry in Wisconsin and potentially other states that allow heavier loads for logging vehicles.
It would make it easier and potentially more cost-effective for timber companies to transport forest products to processing or storage facilities. Consumers could indirectly be affected if transportation cost savings are passed along through lower timber or wood product prices. **Current Status** The bill was introduced by Rep. Tony Wied (R-WI) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives.
CRS Official Summary
Safe Routes Act of 2025This bill directs the Department of Transportation to waive vehicle weight limits for covered logging vehicles, thus allowing logging vehicles to travel on interstate highways in certain circumstances.The term covered logging vehicle means a vehicle that (1) is transporting raw or unfinished forest products, including logs, pulpwood, biomass, or wood chips; (2) is traveling a distance not greater than 150 air miles on interstate highways from origin to a storage or processing facility; and (3) meets state legal weight tolerances and vehicle configurations for transporting raw or unfinished forest products within the state boundaries in which the vehicle is operating.
Latest Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.