INDIANAPOLIS - Rep. Cleo Duncan (R-Greensburg) supported House Bill (HB) 1084 this week, which she co-authored to help reduce unwanted pollution that comes with heavy duty vehicles. The bill passed with an 96-1 vote.

HB 1084 would require the maximum weight limit for a heavy duty vehicle to be increased by 400 pounds more than the current 80,000 total pound limit to allow for eco-friendly devices. Currently, these vehicles cannot legally operate on Indiana state highways with loads more than 80,000 pounds.

Under existing law, Indiana has a federal provision that allows heavy duty vehicles equipped with an auxiliary power unit to exceed the 80,000 pound limit by 400 pounds when traveling only on U.S. interstate highways.

“This bill is necessary because it allows heavy duty vehicles the opportunity to travel on our state highways while exceeding the 80,000 pound limit,” said Rep. Duncan. “If these vehicles exceed the weight limit, it’s because they have an auxiliary power unit which helps conserve fuel and reduces both noise and air pollution. Now operators driving these heavy duty vehicles can leave a vehicle idle while still providing to heat the cab and provide an energy source for heaters and air conditioners. This also acts as a fuel saving measure with the help of the auxiliary unit.”

HB 1084 now heads to the Senate for further discussion.