AUGUSTA – Gov. John Baldacci on Tuesday signed a bill to temporarily allow trucks hauling forest products to exceed state weight limits by 5 percent in hopes of helping them offset sharply increased fuel prices.

Baldacci signed the resolve just hours after it was enacted by the House and Senate. It will enable truckers to consolidate loads and save fuel costs.

“We know that our forest product industry and Maine’s truckers are being hurt by record-high diesel prices,” Baldacci said in a statement. “They are struggling right now, and they need help. With the quick action on this legislation, they’ll get some relief right now.”

The governor was joined for the signing by the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Boyd Marley, D-Portland, lead Senate sponsor Sen. Elizabeth Schneider, D-Orono, other co-sponsors, and transportation and energy officials.

Because LD 2155 was enacted as an emergency bill, it takes effect immediately. The temporary weight increase will expire April 1.

Baldacci said that the bill is just one step that can be taken to ease the burden on Maine’s forest products industry and that his administration continues to work on additional legislation that will help ease the tax burden for truckers who haul forest products.

“We will submit a bill that will speed their refund through Maine’s BETR program and also temporarily exempt them from the sales tax,” the governor said.