State Watch – July 2025

Truckers aren’t just subjected to federal rules and regulations. State lawmakers stay busy cooking up new laws and regulations as well. It’s almost impossible to drive truck full time and keep up with all of it. That’s why we stay on top of the hottest trucking-related legislation around the country for you.

The following is a highlight of some of the biggest legislation on the move around the country. For a complete rundown of state legislation, visit LandLine.media.

Colorado

The Colorado governor vetoed a bill to prohibit the operation of autonomous trucks.

HB1122 would make an exception to the rule when a CDL holder is in the vehicle; is monitoring the system’s driving; and intervenes, if necessary, to “avoid illegal and/or unsafe driving.”

Hazmat loads are also addressed. Specifically, CDL holders present in automated vehicles hauling hazmat must be in the driver’s seat.

Florida

A new Florida law punishes anyone associated with a license plate flipper.

H253 makes it a misdemeanor to manufacture, purchase, possess, sell or distribute a license plate obscuring device. Violators would face up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.

A person who commits a crime, such as evading a toll, while using a license plate flipper would face a third-degree felony charge.

Kansas

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has signed into law a bill to amend the state’s move-over rule.

State law has required road users to move over or slow down when approaching stationary vehicles that include law enforcement, emergency responders and utility vehicles with lights flashing along roadsides.

The new rule expands the requirement to include any stopped, standing or parked vehicle displaying hazard lights, road flares, traffic cones, reflective triangles and other caution signals.

Louisiana

Louisiana lawmakers sent a bill to the governor that would cancel a legal doctrine that presumes a link between a wreck and an injury, even without proof of a link. The burden of proof is placed on the defense to disprove causation.

HB450 is described as restoring fairness by requiring real evidence in personal injury claims. The change aims to help eliminate inflated lawsuits and reduce insurance costs.

A House-approved bill would eliminate recovery of phantom damages. State law limits jurors to hearing the total amount billed but not what the plaintiff actually paid.

HB34 would allow a jury to see the amount billed and the amount paid. The change is touted to ensure nothing is withheld from a jury.

Another House-approved bill provides limitations related to claims for general damages.

HB435 would cap noneconomic damages such as pain and suffering at $5 million per year. Louisiana law now has no limit to the amount.

Ohio

The Ohio Senate voted to advance a bill that would outlaw an arrest or ticket mandate. SB114 establishes that no requirement or suggestion could be made for an officer to meet a quota, nor could a benefit be offered to an officer based on the officer’s quota.

Law enforcement agencies would be prohibited from using quotas to evaluate, promote, compensate, transfer or discipline a local or state police officer. Agencies would also be forbidden from offering a financial reward or other benefits to officers for meeting quotas.

Law enforcement officials or agencies, however, would be permitted to collect and analyze data on the number of arrests made and citations issued by officers.

Additionally, the state’s attorney general would be required to make available a form for officers to report the use of quotas. An option would be available for officers to anonymously make the report. The attorney general would be mandated to investigate quota allegations.

Washington

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson has signed into law a two-year transportation-funding budget that includes a 6-cent increase in the state’s fuel tax.

The gas tax increases to 55.4 cents on July 1. The diesel tax will increase by 3 cents on July 1 and again in July 2027 to reach 55.4 cents.

An inflationary adjustment is included. The inflation-based increase for gas takes effect in 2026. The adjustment for diesel starts in 2028. LL