State Watch – May 2021

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 legislative action in statehouses near you. For a complete rundown of state legislation, visit LandLine.Media.

Arkansas

A new law in Arkansas reverses course on the state’s pursuit of additional revenue via fees on alternative fuel vehicles.

In 2019, the state authorized an additional registration and annual renewal fee of $100 to be collected from hybrid vehicle owners. An additional $200 fee was applied to electric vehicle registrations.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson has signed into law SB225 to reduce the additional registration fee and annual renewal fee for hybrid vehicles to $50.

Delaware

A Delaware bill would set fines of $25 to $75 for failure to remove snow or ice from vehicles. Incidents that cause property damage or physical injury would result in penalties of $200 to $1,000 for motorists. Truck drivers would face fines of $500 to $1,500.

SB64 would limit citations to affected vehicles to once per 24-hour period. Drivers would be exempt for accumulations while the vehicle is in operation.

Maryland

The Maryland House has approved a bill to revise the state’s left-lane use rule.

State law requires all vehicles traveling at least 10 mph below the posted speed to stay to the right. Violators face up to $500 fines and up to three points added to their driver’s license.

HB964 would require drivers traveling slower than the “general speed” of traffic on rural interstates to stay right. A sign requirement to alert travelers of the rule is included in the bill.

Missouri

One Missouri House-approved bill would raise the state’s 17-cent fuel tax rate by 12.5 cents to 29.5 cents.

SB262 would phase-in the increase over four years in 2.5-cent increments.

A provision included in the bill would set up a rebate program for Missouri drivers who keep fuel receipts for vehicles weighing less than 26,000 pounds. Affected vehicle owners could request a full refund annually of the additional taxes paid.

Owners of alternative fuel vehicles also would contribute. The fees for decals would be increased by 20% annually for five years.

Fees for electric and hybrid vehicles weighing in excess of 36,000 pounds would see a 10% annual increase over the same time period.

Oklahoma

One bill on the move in the Oklahoma Senate targets ticket quotas.

State law prohibits cities and towns from generating more than half of their revenue through traffic fines.

SB346 would outlaw local governments and police departments from requiring officers to issue a certain number of citations within a specific period of time. Additionally, agencies would be prohibited from evaluating personnel based on the number of tickets written or arrests made.

Violators would face removal from their position.

Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, the Senate Transportation Committee has voted to advance a bill to halt plans by the state DOT to install tolls on as many as nine major bridges.

SB382 would increase transparency and public input, and put in place checks and balances on public-private partnerships. The legislature also would be required to endorse any toll plan.

Additionally, the bill would void the Major Bridge P3 Initiative. The P3 board that created the initiative would remain intact.

Texas

Multiple bills in the Texas Legislature are intended to address injury liability laws in the state for truck operations.

HB19 would require a court to dismiss a lawsuit against a truck operator if the injury or death of another person was caused while the operator was carrying out their duties “within the scope of employment.”

Two bills, HB1617/SB207, address similar provisions related to civil actions.

Utah

A $1.2 billion transportation funding bill signed into law appropriates $733 million in one-time money for transportation work. The money will come from the state’s general fund to the state DOT for the 2022 fiscal year.

The bulk of the money – $705 million – will be applied for state highway projects. Another

$28 million will be used for local road work.

A portion of the funds will be allotted for a project to double track portions of the FrontRunner commuter rail system. LL