HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House Resolution No. 168

Offered by Representatives Casperson, Hummel, Pappageorge, Tabor, Shackleton, Nitz, Huizenga, Kooiman, Mortimer, Newell, Caul, Voorhees, Vander Veen, Hune, Stahl, Emmons, Farhat, Ward, Caswell, Hoogendyk, Julian, Pastor, Richardville, Shaffer, Acciavatti, Brandenburg, DeRossett, Garfield, Robertson, Brown, Meyer, Sheltrown, Taub, Adamini, Ehardt, Palmer, Shulman and Hager

A RESOLUTION TO MEMORIALIZE THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO PERMIT THE USE OF

75-FOOT CRIB CARRIER LOG HAULING EQUIPMENT

      WHEREAS, In the logging industry, an important industry for the state of Michigan, the crib carrier for log hauling offers an advancement that can increase the stability of loads with a new design for how the logs are arranged.  In a highly competitive industry like lumbering, the new equipment represents significant progress; and

      WHEREAS, Current federal law places a 70-foot limit on the length of trucks, although a waiver has permitted the use of 75-foot equipment over the past couple of years. Until federal laws and regulations permit the use of a 75-foot truck length, sanctions will prevent the use of safer truck-trailer combinations; and

      WHEREAS, The 75-foot equipment offers distinct safety measures not available through the 70-foot limit currently in place.  Most importantly, the crib arrangement makes the load more secure, with added protection against a shifting cargo.  This enhances safety along Michigan's roads; now, therefore, be it

      RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, That we memorialize the Congress of the United States and the United States Department of Transportation to permit the use of 75-foot crib carrier log hauling equipment; and be it further

      RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the members of the Michigan congressional delegation, and the United States Department of Transportation.

Adopted by the House of Representatives, March 9, 2004.

CLERK OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES