State Watch – July 2024
We know you don’t have time to keep up with all of the legislation under consideration that could affect your trucking business. That’s why the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association keeps a close watch on legislative action in statehouses near you.
For a complete rundown of state legislation, visit LandLine.media.
California
The California Assembly voted to advance to the Senate a bill addressing concerns about autonomous trucks.
AB2286 would prohibit autonomous vehicle operation with a gross vehicle weight of at least 10,001 pounds for testing purposes, transporting goods or transporting passengers without a “human safety operator physically present” in the vehicle during operation.
A Senate-approved bill would require all cars and trucks sold in the state to include speed assistance technology. Another provision removed from SB961 sought to mandate the installation of side underride guards for trucks.
The amended bill would require vehicles manufactured or sold in the state to be equipped with “passive intelligent speed assistance.” The warning system would provide audio and video signals to alert drivers when they are traveling at least 10 mph over the posted speed.
The system would be phased in over eight years. The rule would not apply to earlier model years or vehicles sold in other states.
Colorado
A new Colorado law revises the state’s idling rules.
State law has a uniform idling standard that prohibits any vehicle from idling for more than five minutes within any 60-minute period. Certain exceptions apply.
Local governments have been prohibited from enacting an idling resolution or ordinance that is more stringent than the state idling standard.
Gov. Jared Polis has signed legislation into law a bill to authorize a local government to enact an idling resolution or ordinance that is identical to, or more stringent than, the state idling standard.
Delaware
One Delaware Senate bill, SB258, would forbid operating an automated truck with a gross weight exceeding 10,000 pounds on a state highway. The rule would apply for testing purposes, transporting goods or transporting passengers without a human safety operator physically present in the vehicle.
Georgia
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has signed legislation into law a bill to repeal a nearly century-old direct-action statute that covered truck drivers. The rule permits a plaintiff to take direct action against the responsible insurance company.
Previously SB426, the new law puts into place limits on lawsuits filed by individuals injured in truck-related incidents.
The new rule largely eliminates the state’s direct-action law. Exceptions to the truck driver rule apply to instances when a trucking operation enters bankruptcy or the truck company cannot be located.
Another new law creates a statewide freight and logistics implementation plan.
The 20-year plan will include annual updates to state lawmakers on critical projects such as the widening of interstates and non-interstate arterial roads, intermodal or multimodal capacity improvements and commercial vehicle parking and safety improvements.
HB617 reads that “continued freight growth and the corresponding investments to support, sustain and integrate that growth are critical to Georgia’s future opportunities and prosperity.”
Louisiana
A bill headed to the Louisiana governor’s desk covers optional equipment on commercial vehicles that is not required by state or federal law. Specifically, HB785 states there is no duty to have optional equipment that is not required by law.
A person who owns, operates or leases a truck would not be liable for failure to install optional equipment. Absence of optional equipment also would not be admissible to establish an owner’s negligence.
Utah
In Utah, Gov. Spencer Cox has signed into law a bill that clarifies what it is permissible for a motorcycle when lane filtering.
The new law, HB311, states that lane filtering is permitted on roadways divided into two or more adjacent traffic lanes in the same direction of travel. Additionally, the maneuver is authorized on freeway off-ramps.
Lane filtering is prohibited on an on-ramp. LL