HB 653 -- Commercial Motor Vehicles

Sponsor:  Sutherland

This bill changes the laws regarding the operation of commercial
motor vehicles.

PRE-EMPTION OF COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE LAWS

Under the bill, no local law enforcement officer or local agency
can enforce commercial motor vehicle equipment, size, travel,
height, and weight violations.  Local governments are prohibited
from adopting ordinances or regulations regarding the enforcement
of commercial motor vehicle laws.  However, local governments can
adopt ordinances or regulations restricting commercial motor
vehicle equipment, size, travel, weight, or height on roads which
are not designated as state and federal roads or are not
maintained with state and federal moneys.

FEDERAL MONEYS FOR COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE ENFORCEMENT

The Superintendent of the State Highway Patrol must apply for all
federal funding which is currently available or may become
available which has previously been allocated to local political
subdivisions.

COMMERCIAL ZONES

The Highways and Transportation Commission is authorized to
enforce motor carrier regulations in commercial zones.

EDUCATIONAL COMPLIANCE CONTACTS

Motor carriers may voluntarily request an educational compliance
contact by the commission to determine whether the motor carrier
is in compliance with relevant statutes and regulations.  No
fines or penalties will be levied for violations discovered
during an educational compliance contact.  The commission,
however, may take any legal actions necessary to shut down the
operation of a motor carrier that has committed a violation that
presents a safety issue.  A motor carrier may only request one
compliance contact every five years.  A request for an
educational compliance contact must not be a reason for the
commission to perform a compliance review.  Motor carriers which
are subject to a current complaint investigation cannot be
eligible for an educational compliance contact.
Motor carriers will have 60 days from the written release of the
compliance review findings or educational compliance contacts to
appeal the commission's decision to the Administrative Hearing
Commission.

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated August 25, 2005 at 1:20 pm