SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 52
WHEREAS, Mexico has no nationwide automated system for monitoring the safety history or violation records of Mexican companies and drivers, or a system to verify drivers' licenses, or drug testing for drivers, and it is therefore difficult for Missouri law enforcement personnel to obtain essential safety data; and
WHEREAS, if trucks from Mexico are allowed access to the state of Missouri, verification of foreign insurance policies and access to foreign judicial systems will be very difficult when accidents occur, possibly resulting in the delay of settlements and payments to the injured citizens of this state; and
WHEREAS, Mexico does not have labeling of hazardous or toxic cargo which poses a clear and present danger to the security of the State of Missouri if trucks transporting such cargo enter territory of the state without prior inspection at the border of the United States; and
WHEREAS, large quantities of illegal drugs are smuggled into Missouri from foreign nations, including Mexico; and
WHEREAS, the State of Missouri is promoting a "Customs Harmonization Pilot Project" designed to expedite international cargo movement by eliminating inspections at border crossings because of the North American Free Trade Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the State of Missouri's "Customs Harmonization Pilot Project" threatens to expedite passage of trucks from Mexico into the United States without inspection, and therefore does not adequately address the concerns and safety needs of the citizens of the State of Missouri:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Missouri Senate, Ninety-first General Assembly, Second Regular Session, the House of Representatives concurring therein, hereby urge the Governor to oppose any effort to allow trucks to enter the State of Missouri without first being inspected at the border of the United States and Mexico; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the General Assembly memorializes the Governor to restrict trucks from Mexico and other foreign nations from entering the State of Missouri until there is full compliance by the owners and drivers of those trucks with all highway safety, environmental and drug enforcement laws; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate be instructed to prepare a properly inscribed copy of this resolution for the Governor.