MS HB1236

Creates the "Heat of Harvest Act" allowing vehicles with a harvest permit to transport agricultural products at up to 90,000 pounds gross vehicle weight from October 1 to November 15 each year

Standard harvest permit vehicles are normally limited to 84,000 pounds gross vehicle weight; this act provides a 6,000-pound increase during the specified harvest period

Reduces penalties for harvest permit holders who exceed weight limits if they can prove their average load over the previous 5 haul days stayed within legal limits (80,000-84,000 pounds, or up to 90,000 pounds for agricultural products during harvest season)

Weight tolerances and increases do not apply to federal interstate highways or roads where specifically prohibited by the Transportation Commission, county boards, or municipal authorities

Effective date of July 1, 2017