Bill · S. 1063· Senate(119-S-1063)
Safe Routes Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 3/13/2025
- Last activity
- 3/13/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Sponsored by
- Ron Johnson
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Safe Routes Act of 2025," seeks to amend title 23 of the United States Code. It directs the Secretary of Transportation to waive vehicle weight limitations for specific logging vehicles. These covered vehicles must be transporting raw or unfinished forest products like logs, pulpwood, biomass, or wood chips. Additionally, the vehicles must travel no more than 150 air miles on the Interstate System from their origin to a facility. The waiver is restricted to specific State legal weight tolerances in effect at the time of enactment.
Yes· 3 of 11
Would business owners be better off under this?+4
Logging and timber industry owners benefit directly from reduced operational constraints.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+4
The bill supports economic activity and logistics essential to rural resource-based economies.
Is this likely to create jobs?+3
By reducing transport costs for logging, it may support job stability and growth in the forestry sector.
The opposite
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-2
Increasing heavy vehicle loads on roads may have localized environmental or infrastructure impacts.
Does this repair or build roads and bridges?-1
Allowing heavier loads may increase wear and tear on the Interstate System.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Weight Limit Waivers for Logging: The Secretary of Transportation would be required to waive vehicle weight limits for "covered logging vehicles," which could benefit those in the logging industry (Section 2, subsection z, 1).
-
Efficient Transport of Forest Products: By allowing vehicles to transport raw or unfinished forest products like logs or wood chips without standard weight limits, the bill addresses specific transport needs (Section 2, subsection z, 3A).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Weight Limit Restrictions: The weight waiver is limited to specific State legal weight tolerances that were in effect on the date of the subsection's enactment (Section 2, subsection z, 2).
-
Distance Limitations: The benefits of this waiver only apply if the vehicle is traveling a distance of not more than 150 air miles on the Interstate System (Section 2, subsection z, 3B).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+4Good For Rural Residents+4Good For Farmers+2Good For Union Workers+2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+3Increases Job Creation+3Improves Economic Growth+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Interstate Commerce+2Increases Federal Power+1
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+3Improves Public Land Management+1Improves Environmental Protections-2Improves Roads And Bridges-1
- 3/13/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Introduced in Senate