State Watch – June 2022
We know you don’t have time to keep up with all of the bills being considered that affect your trucking business. That’s why your Association keeps a close watch on action at state legislatures across the nation and near you.
On the following pages you will find a roundup of some significant actions from around the country. For a complete rundown of state legislation, visit LandLine.Media.
California
A California bill would expand the state’s authority to use automated enforcement.
State law already authorizes the use of red-light cameras. The ticketing tool is used in more than 30 areas around the state. Speed cameras, however, are prohibited in the state.
AB2336 would set up a five-year pilot program to use speed enforcement cameras in areas identified as having a high number of reckless driving incidents.
Ticket revenue would be used to administer the program and pay for “traffic calming measures.”
Louisiana
Two Senate-approved pieces of legislation are of note. SB477 would create a new tandem load permit for trucks hauling to and from shipping ports in the state. Specifically, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development would be authorized to issue an annual special permit for affected loads.
Tandem loads would be permitted on 20-foot shipping containers with a single tractor. The load limit would be set at 135,000 pounds.
Loads could not be more than 40,000 pounds per axle – up from 37,000 pounds per axle.
Overall length could not be more than 75 feet.
Tandem shipping containers could apply for permits to travel on designated state and U.S. routes. Interstate highways are excluded.
SB435 addresses concerns about travel along the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge.
Currently, motorists are permitted to travel up to 60 mph along the Interstate 10 span. Truck drivers are permitted to travel up to 55 mph. In addition, trucks are limited to use the left lane only for passing.
The bill would authorize double fines.
Additionally, the bill would authorize the use of cameras to time how long it takes a vehicle to travel to certain points along the bridge.
Vehicles that reach the points along the bridge at travel rates faster than would be expected for the vehicle and posted speed would be subject to a violation notice.
Michigan
Legislation pursued at the Michigan statehouse would authorize automated speed enforcement in certain areas.
HB5750/SB874 would permit speed cameras to enforce vehicle speeds in highway or street work zones. Devices would be used when construction workers are present.
A separate bill halfway through the statehouse would go the other way on the topic. SB875 would prohibit municipalities from installing red-light cameras.
Nebraska
A new Nebraska law allows the state DOT to enter into public-private partnerships for construction and financing of certain capital projects that include completion of the state’s expressway system.
LB1016 authorizes the department to enter into public-private contracts to allow for the creation of safer bridges and highways, quicker project completion timelines and economic development.
Contractors are authorized to use the design-build method – a public-private contracting method for purposes of project delivery.
New Jersey
In New Jersey, new legislation would require commercial vehicles registered in the state to be equipped with underride systems.
A3205 would prohibit operation of a commercial vehicle unless it is equipped with an underride system consisting of devices installed on the front, rear and sides.
Violators could face fines up to $100. Repeat offenders could face double fines.
Oklahoma
One Oklahoma Senate-approved bill would delay construction of the planned South Extension Turnpike in Cleveland County.
SB1610 would prohibit moving forward with the expansion plan until the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority completes additional studies on how affected homes and businesses could be impacted.
The Turnpike Authority would also be required to report to the state legislature information gathered from the study at least 180 days prior to issuing construction bonds.
Additionally, the legislature would be authorized to modify the authorization or location of the South Extension Turnpike.
Pennsylvania
Two Pennsylvania Senate bills cover the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
SB1053 is touted to update and improve the Turnpike Commission’s method of collecting tolls.
The turnpike commission would be directed to accept payment apps as valid methods of toll payment. Currently, E-ZPass and Toll By Plate are used for payments.
The turnpike commission would be authorized to accept Cash App, PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle as valid forms of payment for tolls. E-ZPass and Toll By Plate would remain as payment options.
SB1053 would require the turnpike commission to submit an annual report to the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
The report must detail the tolls that went collected and uncollected during the prior fiscal year.
A federal weight exemption for electric-powered trucks could soon be available in the state of Pennsylvania.
Currently, the state authorizes electric-powered trucks to weigh up to 80,000 pounds.
One bill halfway through the statehouse would put into statute the federal rule on electric battery-powered trucks.
SB153 would increase the maximum gross vehicle weight for commercial vehicles powered by electric battery power by 2,000 pounds to 82,000 pounds.
A 2017 Pennsylvania law authorizes the weight allowance for trucks powered by natural gas.
Utah
Two new Utah laws are of interest.
HB76 is intended to clarify how drivers need to merge along multilane roadways into one lane.
Utah law now mandates that drivers in the lane ending must yield to drivers in the lane that continues.
Already in effect, the new law requires vehicle operators to use the “zipper” method when two traffic lanes merge into one traffic lane.
HB10 covers the state’s lane filtering rule.
Existing law permits motorcycles to move between stopped vehicles on roads with a posted speed limit of 45 mph or less.
A 2019 law allows motorcycles traveling 15 mph or less on roadways with two adjacent lanes to split travel lanes when traffic is stopped. The “lane filtering” rule had a sunset date of July 1, 2022.
HB10 extends the sunset date five years to July 1, 2027.
The rule also permits motorcyclists to move to the front of a traffic light. Motorcyclists can only move to the front when vehicles are stopped. LL