by Alander Rocha, Alabama Reflector
April 1, 2025

The Alabama State Senate passed a bill Tuesday aimed at improving efficiency in weighing log trucks.

SB 110, sponsored by Sen. Jack Williams, R-Wilmer, would limit the number of trucks that can be pulled over to five at roadside weigh stations. Previously, there was no limit, which caused long lines of trucks on the sides of highways and caused truckers to lose work hours.

“If you’re taking a day off being in court, and then they may put it off then when it gets there. So we’ve got a win-win. We just didn’t get the axle weight,” Williams said after the bill’s passage.

The bill passed 32-0 after senators removed a provision that would have increased weight limits for log truck drivers for each axle over concerns about damage to road infrastructure. Williams said that was a deal he accepted as early as Tuesday morning but that he’d try to address weight limits in the future.

The amendment, proposed by Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, would try to ease delays experienced by truck drivers, particularly those hauling logs, pointing to the possible economic impact of these delays.

“If you’re hung up on the side of the road for an hour, two hours, three hours, depending on how many trucks are backed up, well, you’ve lost money that day,” Chambliss said.

The bill also provides an appeals process for truck drivers who receive overweight citations based on portable scale measurements, aimed at addressing the potential of inaccurate portable scale readings.

While the bill aims to address efficiency and economic concerns, Williams said that weight limit issues, particularly concerning the hauling of 40-foot logs, require further attention. He said that logs cause more weights to be distributed unevenly between axles, causing drivers to haul fewer logs to comply with Alabama law.

“40-foot logs – that rear axle is going to get overloaded when you’ve got logs sticking all the way out there … if you’re hauling them legally, you’re hauling half a load of logs,” Williams said.

He said that weight limits were relaxed during the COVID pandemic, and he was not aware of any data that indicated roads were damaged during that time.

“That’s what I’d like to have back,” he said.

Alabama Reflector is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Alabama Reflector maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Brian Lyman for questions: info@alabamareflector.com.

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SUMMARY: The 2nd Annual Taste of Sheffield, hosted by Sheffield City Schools, takes place Thursday, April 3, and promises to be bigger than its inaugural event. The tasting fair features 15 local restaurants, up from ten last year, offering generous samples of their most popular dishes. Attendees purchase tickets based on how many vendors they wish to try and enjoy a wide range of cuisines, including American, Thai, Mexican, Italian, and more. With everything from wings to barbecue and desserts, the event guarantees no one leaves hungry. It’s a fun, community-focused celebration of Sheffield’s vibrant culinary scene.

You are invited to the 2nd Annual Taste of Sheffield event on Thursday, April 3, 5:30-7 p.m. on the terrace behind L.E. Willson …

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SUMMARY: The Mercedes-Benz plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, is closely monitoring the upcoming 25% tariffs on imported vehicles, which President Trump claims will boost U.S. manufacturing despite potentially raising car prices. The plant, a significant part of the state’s economy with over 6,000 employees and a $7 billion investment, relies heavily on international trade. Senator Tommy Tuberville acknowledged concerns among constituents about the tariffs affecting auto manufacturing, but expressed hope that Trump’s forthcoming press conference would clarify the administration’s strategy and soothe economic anxieties. Updates from other local auto manufacturers are expected soon.

‘I think everybody’s concerned’: Mercedes-Benz plant eyeing impact of imported vehicle tariffs

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