State Watch – October 2023
The majority of state legislatures have wrapped up their work for this year. A special thanks to those of you who followed what took place in your state and tipped us off to initiatives you cared about.
Here’s our early fall roundup of what governors signed into law in recent weeks and of other items still active. For a complete rundown of state legislation, visit LandLine.media.
California
A California bill is touted to address existing insurance data gaps for heavy-duty trucks and truck fleets that use advanced fuels and related technologies. AB844 would require the state to collect data on the availability and affordability of insurance for affected trucks.
Colorado
A new Colorado law allows for more speed ticket cameras.
State law has restricted the use of speed cameras to areas that include construction zones. An officer has been required to be present when a speed camera is in use. SB200 allows municipalities to designate corridors where speed cameras may be installed. The rule revision also does away with the requirement that an officer be on site.
Hawaii
Hawaii Gov. John Green signed into law a bill to limit left lane use for large trucks. SB497 limits large trucks to the right-hand lane on highways with at least three lanes in the same direction. The rule applies to trucks with a gross vehicle weight in excess of 10,000 pounds.
Effective Jan. 1, affected commercial drivers are permitted to use the left lane if they are “able to maintain speed with existing traffic flow.” An exception is also made for operators passing and overtaking another vehicle.
Indiana
In Indiana, a new law adds to the statute a definition of aggregate truck loads.
Included under the umbrella of aggregate loads is sand, gravel, dirt, concrete, “other construction materials” and any combination of the above material. HB1204 specifies there would be no fine imposed for aggregate loads with up to a 10% deviation from the axle-weight limit.
Minnesota
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed into law a rule to prohibit retailers of an “essential consumer good or service” from engaging in price gouging during an “abnormal market disruption.” Essential commodities referenced in SF2744 include motor fuels, transportation, food and water.
Retailers are prohibited from charging “unconscionably excessive prices” for essential goods or services that exceed 30% within a seven-day period. Violators would face fines up to $10,000 per sale or transaction.
Missouri
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signed into law a series of budget bills that include funding to widen Interstate 70. As a result, $2.8 billion is allocated to make I-70 at least three lanes statewide. Half of the amount needed for the project will come in state funding. The rest of the funding will be borrowed.
The Missouri DOT puts the timetable for completion at four to five years.
New York
Two New York City lawmakers unveiled a proposal to require speed limiters for motorists with at least six speed-camera violations over 12 months or those with at least 11 points on their driver’s license within 18 months.
Currently, the city’s speed cameras do not issue citations unless a vehicle is traveling at least 11 mph above the posted speed. An intelligent speed-assistance device would be able to prevent vehicles from traveling more than 5 mph above a posted speed limit. S7621 and A7979 call for a speed limiter to be installed on a vehicle for 12 months.
Texas
A new Texas law authorizes the use of variable speed limits.
HB1885 allows the Texas Transportation Commission to establish variable speed limits to address inclement weather, congestion, road construction or any other condition that affects the “orderly movement of traffic.”
Variable speeds cannot be set less than 10 mph below the posted speed limit. A provision in the new law clarifies that a speed limit cannot be lowered “to divert traffic to a toll road for the purpose of increasing revenue from toll charges.” LL