Representatives Reid Ribble (R-WI) and Mike Michaud (D-ME) last week reintroduced the Safe and Efficient Transportation Act (H.R. 612), otherwise known as SETA, in the House of Representatives. They were joined by Reps. Tim Walz (D-MN), Kurt Schrader (D-OR), Don Edwin Young (R-AK) and Mike Simpson (R-ID).

SETA would allow states to raise truck weight limits on gross vehicle weight up to 97,000 pounds for six-axle, single-trailer trucks that operate on the interstate system within their borders. More than 90 percent of states already allow heavier trucks to access some or all secondary roads, but federal regulations keep them off the interstate, which is the safest place for truck shipments. Pilot programs in Maine and Vermont showed that heavier trucks with six axles proved to be safer, greener and more productive on the interstate road networks.

Last year, Congress passed the reauthorization of the highway bill but did not include the SETA provisions. Instead, the bill included a mandatory Department of Transportation study on heavier truck weights.

Congressional consideration of the new SETA legislation coincides with the DOT study, but forward movement on the bill is already supported by other academic studies and the positive outcome of pilot programs in recent years.

“As members of the Coalition for Transportation Productivity, IDFA applauds Representatives Ribble and Michaud for reintroducing this bill," said Chelsee Woodey, IDFA director of legislative affairs. "The leadership of Representative Ribble, who was recently named vice chairman of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee, is important to IDFA and its members.”

SETA has been referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and awaits consideration.

For more information, contact Woodey at cwoodey@idfa.org.