State Watch – October 2024

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 who tipped us off on initiatives and legislation 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

Two bills of note are headed to the California governor’s desk.

AB2286 would prohibit autonomous vehicle operation with a gross vehicle weight of at least 10,001 pounds for testing purposes, transporting goods or transporting passengers without a “human safety operator physically present” in the vehicle during operation. The prohibition would be in place until at least 2030.

SB961 would require all passenger vehicles sold in the state to include speed-assistance technology.

Vehicles manufactured or sold in the state would be required to be equipped with “passive intelligent speed assistance.” The warning system would provide audio and video signals to alert drivers when they are traveling 10 mph over the posted speed.

The system would be phased in over eight years. The rule would not apply to earlier model years or vehicles sold in other states.

Colorado

A new Colorado law now in effect covers left lane use for trucks along multiple stretches of Interstate 70.

Trucks already are prohibited from traveling in the left lane along I-70 through Glenwood Canyon.

Previously SB100, the new law bars trucks weighing at least 16,000 pounds from continuous travel in the far-left lane on Floyd Hill, Georgetown Hill, the Eisenhower Tunnel, Dowd Junction and Vail Pass. The restriction applies on stretches with at least three lanes traveling in one direction. Trucks are permitted to pass in the far-left lane.

Louisiana

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry has signed into law a bill that covers optional equipment on commercial vehicles that is not required by state or federal law. Specifically, the new rule states there is no duty to have optional equipment that is not required by law.

As a result, a person who owns, operates or leases a truck is not liable for failure to install optional equipment. Absence of optional equipment also is not admissible to establish an owner’s negligence.

The protection does not apply for vehicles involved in an accident after failure to comply with a law requiring a mandatory recall.

Pennsylvania

A new Pennsylvania law is touted to update and modernize the Uniform Commercial Code.

SB1084 extensively revises the UCC to provide clear and uniform rules to govern digital asset transactions or controllable electronic records that include cryptocurrencies.

The legislation established guidelines for truck drivers to cover digital asset transactions involving virtual currencies, non-fungible tokens, electronic accounts and other forms of electronic commerce. The new law also allows for other needed technical updates to the code.

The Senate approved a resolution that urges the U.S. Congress to “pursue legislative remedies” that allow individuals 18-20 years old with commercial driver’s licenses to haul interstate. It is a non-binding resolution.

Tennessee

In Tennessee, one new law covers concerns about highway protests. SB2570 increases the penalty for intentionally obstructing a highway or street. The penalty is increased from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class D felony.

A Class D felony carries a punishment of between two years and 12 years behind bars. A maximum fine of $5,000 could also be assessed by a jury.

Additionally, a person who suffers loss or injury resulting from a road blockage could bring charges to recover compensatory damages.

Wisconsin

The state of Wisconsin has established a commercial driver training grant program.

Gov. Tony Evers signed a bill into law to require the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development to establish and administer the grant program.

The new law specifies that a CDL training provider must satisfy entry-level driver training requirements established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Grant amounts awarded are limited up to 50% of the training costs or $3,000, whichever is less, for each individual trained. LL

For a complete rundown of state legislation, visit LandLine.media.