State Watch – August/September 2022
Most legislatures have wrapped up work for this calendar year. Here’s our end-of-summer review of bills you found of interest. It’s a roundup of items that governors signed into law in recent weeks and other actions.
For a more complete rundown of state legislation, visit LandLine.Media.
Louisiana
A new law in Louisiana designates the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge as a highway safety corridor.
Motorists are allowed to travel up to 60 mph along the Interstate 10 span. Truck drivers are allowed to travel up to 55 mph along the span. Additionally, trucks are limited to using the left lane only for passing. State law authorizes fines of up to $175 for speed and lane-use violations. Repeat offenders face up to $500 fines.
Gov. John Bel Edwards has signed into law a bill to double fines for speeding. Offenders would first be issued warnings before they are issued a $350 citation for a third offense. Subsequent offenses would result in $1,000 fines.
Previously SB435, the new law includes a provision to authorize the use of enforcement cameras to track vehicle travel times. It takes effect on Aug. 1.
Cameras will be posted at both of the bridge entrances, at the two exits along the corridor, and at the end of the bridge each direction. Vehicles that reach the points along the bridge at travel rates faster than would be expected for the vehicle and posted speed limit would be subject to a violation notice.
Another new law creates a new tandem load permit for trucks hauling to and from shipping ports. The new rule took effect immediately.
Previously SB477, the new law allows tandem loads, or combination loads. Specifically, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development is authorized to issue a special, biannual permit for affected loads.
Tandem loads are permitted on 20-foot shipping containers with a single tractor. Load limits would be set at 140,000 pounds. Loads could not be more than 40,000 pounds per axle – up from 37,000 pounds per axle. There is a 60,000-pound cap per tridem axle spread. Overall length could not be more than 83 feet.
Tandem shipping containers can apply for permits to travel on designated state and U.S. routes. Interstate highways are excluded.
Ohio
An Ohio law authorizes nearly $700 million for transportation purposes. Funding for the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project also is a part of the bill.
A separate provision in HB338 permits the Ohio Turnpike Commission to establish reciprocity agreements with other states to recoup lost revenue from nonpaying out-of-state drivers.
One more provision authorizes a waiver of the knowledge test for commercial driver’s licensing of current and former military members.
Pennsylvania
Multiple Pennsylvania bills are of note.
SB1094 covers apportioned registrations and snow and ice removal from on top of vehicles.
The bill sent to the governor would require the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to stagger the expiration dates of commercial vehicles apportioned registrations. The apportioned registration provision is touted to benefit truck drivers and the state transportation department.
Pennsylvania regulations now mandate every apportioned vehicle registration to expire annually on May 31. The change would provide at least four renewal periods each year. The department would be authorized to prorate registration as the new expiration dates are created.
Another provision addresses the winter driving concern of snow and ice removal from on top of cars and trucks.
State law allows police to ticket car and truck drivers from $200 to $1,000 if the wintry precipitation causes serious injury or death. The provision would require drivers to remove accumulated ice or snow before driving on roadways.
Law enforcement would be authorized to issue tickets solely for failure to clear vehicles of snow and ice. Certain exceptions would apply for truck drivers.
HB2595 would revise statute to address blocked train crossings.
The state now prohibits roadway blockages for longer than five minutes. Fines are set at $25. Exceptions include stoppages for safety consideration or when a train is disabled. The bill would boost penalties for trains that block roadways “for an unreasonable amount of time.”
Fines would be authorized ranging from $200 to $1,000 for repeat offenders. The possibility of six months in jail is included.
The rule would apply to companies and government agencies that stop their trains on roadways. LL