Senate Committee Substitute

SALVAGE VEHICLES - This act modifies the definition of "salvage vehicle." Under the act, the definition is modified to include later model year vehicles (damaged during a year that is no more than three years after the manufacturer's model year designation) that are damaged to the extent the total cost of repairs to rebuild it exceeds 80% (up from 75%) of the fair market value of the vehicle prior to the time the vehicle was damaged. The definition is further modified by including vehicles that have been declared salvaged by an insurance company as a result of settlement of a claim. Current law requires the settlement be for a claim for loss due to damage or theft. In addition, when determining whether a vehicle is salvage or not, the total cost of repairs shall not include the cost of repairing hail damage (Section 301.010). The act exempts persons transferring ownership of a motor vehicle or trailer to an insurance company due to theft or casualty loss from providing the transfer notice required by Section 301.196. The act repeals a provision of law that requires purchasers apply for a salvage title on vehicles seven years old or less and optional for vehicles older than seven years of age. The act also provides that an insurer may obtain an original title without a prior salvage designation on a stolen vehicle that has not been declared a salvage vehicle. The current law only allows the issuance of an original title without a salvage designation (Section 301.227). These provisions are contained in SB 82 (2007).

MOTOR VEHICLE FRANCHISE PRACTICES ACT - This act modifies the definition of the term "motor vehicle" contained in the Motor Vehicle Franchise Practices Act to include any engine, transmission, or rear axle, regardless of whether attached to a vehicle chassis, that is manufactured for the installation in any motor-driven vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 16,000 pounds (Section 407.185). This provision is contained in SB 350 (2007).

DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION EMERGENCY VEHICLES - This act adds vehicles driven by law enforcement agents of the Department of Conservation to the list of vehicles considered "emergency vehicles" (Section 304.022). This provision is contained in SB 352 (2007).

DRIVEAWAY SADDLEMOUNT COMBINATIONS - This act increases the maximum length for driveaway saddlemount combinations from 75 feet to 97 feet when operated on the interstates (Section 304.170.8). This portion of the act is identical to SB 51 (2007) and SB 909 (2006).

LOCAL LOG TRUCKS - This act modifies the definitions of the terms "local log truck" and "local log truck tractor" by expanding the area in which such vehicles can operate. Under current law, such vehicles are to operated at a forested site and in area extending not more than a 50 mile radius from such site. The act increases the radius to 100 miles (section 301.010). This provision is contained in SB 349 (2007).

STEPHEN WITTE