State Watch – June 2023
Land Line rounds up some of the significant bills from around the country.
For a complete rundown of state legislation, visit LandLine.Media.
Georgia
Georgia lawmakers have sent to the governor a bill to tax electricity for vehicles.
Currently, charging stations in the state charge affected vehicles for the amount of time spent at the pump.
SB146 would require those drivers to pay by the kilowatt-hour used. The change is described as similar to paying for fuel by the gallon.
Additionally, the bill would add a state excise tax of 2.84 cents. The revenue would be used to help pay for road work.
The $211 registration fee now paid annually by electric-vehicle owners would remain unchanged.
Indiana
Pursuit to do away with the speed limit differential on Indiana’s fastest roadways has failed.
Indiana law allows cars to drive 70 mph on rural interstates while vehicles in excess of 26,000 pounds are limited to 65 mph.
Senators voted earlier this year to advance a bill to the House that would allow trucks to travel at the same speed as cars.
SB13 died in the House Transportation Committee because the chairperson did not bring up the bill for consideration.
Kentucky
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has vetoed a bill to amend the state’s requirement for truck platooning.
The state authorizes platooning. The rule excludes the trailing vehicle in the platoon from the state’s 2-second rule for following distance, regardless of speed.
Additionally, a human driver is required to be behind the wheel of a trailing platoon vehicle.
HB135 authorized only the lead vehicle in the platoon to have a human driver behind the wheel. A requirement was included that trailing vehicles be fully engaged.
Beshear cited safety concerns for his action.
Missouri
A House-approved bill would permit truck drivers to file a complaint if they believe they were overcharged for a nonconsensual tow.
Currently, state law does not allow affected operators to file a complaint.
HB543 includes a provision to give greater protection and recourse for third parties. Specifically, parties whose goods are impounded with the vehicle would be able to have them released. Additionally, the towing operation would be required to provide an itemized receipt.
Owners of goods transported in affected trucks would be allowed to file a petition in circuit court claiming the property was wrongfully taken or withheld.
Two Missouri bills cover CDLs. HB1372 and SB167 specify that documentation submitted for medical certification requirements may be submitted in person or by mail, fax or electronic mail.
Montana
A new Montana law supplements transportation funding via electric and hybrid vehicles.
Previously HB60, the new law charges electric vehicles under 6,000 pounds $130. Affected vehicles between 6,000 pounds and 26,000 pounds will be charged $190 and $340. Electric trucks in excess of 26,000 pounds will pay $1,100 annually.
The fee amounts for hybrid vehicles range from $70 for vehicles under 6,000 pounds to $700 for vehicles in excess of 26,000 pounds. The changes take effect on July 1.
New Jersey
Truck travel is the focus of a New Jersey Assembly bill.
State law forbids trucks weighing at least 10,000 pounds from traveling in the left lane on roadways with three or more lanes of traffic in the same direction. Violators face fines of $100 to $300.
A4470 would expand the rule to apply to roadways with at least two lanes of traffic in the same direction. Additionally, fines would double, ranging from $200 to $600.
Texas
Pursuit of a vehicle miles tax is underway at the Texas statehouse.
The House lawmakers voted to advance a bill that would authorize a one-year pilot program and a task force to assist in developing and evaluating the program.
HB3418 states that the pilot program would “assess the feasibility of eliminating state motor fuel taxes and other transportation user fees.”
The program would set a user fee on owners of commercial vehicles that is based on the number of miles traveled in the state.
Additionally, the program would be limited to 300 participants with on-board vehicle-mileage-counting equipment added to their vehicles.
Virginia
The state of Virginia has revised its move-over rule.
Virginia law mandates that travelers on roadways with at least two lanes in one direction proceed with caution and, if reasonable, yield the right-of-way to emergency vehicles by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the stationary vehicle.
If a lane change is unreasonable or unsafe, drivers must “proceed with due caution and maintain a safe speed for highway conditions.”
Gov. Glenn Youngkin has signed into law a bill to expand the protection to include any highway user along the roadside displaying hazard lights, caution signs, or road flares.
The changes included in SB982/HB1932 take effect July 1.
Washington
A Washington state bill on the governor’s desk is intended to give truck drivers operating in the state assurances for restroom access.
HB1457 would require shippers and consignees to make restrooms available during normal business to a motor carrier delivering goods to or picking up goods.
Restrooms in the bill are defined as being intended for use by customers or employees of the shippers or consignees.
Shippers or consignees that fail to follow the rule could face $125 fines when the violation occurs after a notice of correction is received. LL