HB 338 -- DIVISION OF MOTOR CARRIER AND RAILROAD SAFETY (Koller)

This bill revises statutory sections under the Division of Motor
Carrier and Railroad Safety to conform them to changes in the
authority of the division which occurred in 1996 legislation.

The bill also allows the division by rule to provide for the
electronic filing by insurance companies of certificates of
insurance.  The motor carrier annual license renewal date is
changed from the end of February to December 31st.  Anyone
failing to comply with the renewal provision will be guilty of a
class C misdemeanor (currently a misdemeanor).  Charter buses
are included under regulation.

The bill has language dealing with the time for bringing of a
suit, use of credit cards for payment of charges or fees, the
release of information relating to the safety of a carrier, and
warning flagman or track-out-of-service signs at rail crossings.

Any person operating a commercial motor vehicle licensed for a
gross weight of 54,000 pounds or more in excess of 75 miles per
hour on a roadway posted 70 miles per hour is guilty of a class
A misdemeanor and will be fined $100 for each mile per hour in
excess of 75 miles per hour.  Any person operating a commercial
motor vehicle licensed for a gross weight of 54,000 pounds or
more at a speed less than 70 miles per hour while in the left
lane, with a posted or designated speed limit of 70 miles per
hour is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.

The bill requires that a $250 fine, in addition to any other
fine authorized to be imposed by law, be imposed on any person
convicted of speeding in a posted construction zone while
workers are present.  The Department of Transportation will be
required to erect signs around a construction or work zone which
are clearly visible from the highway and which state the
following message:  "Warning:  $250 fine for speeding in this
work zone."

The bill also allows a commercial motor vehicle subject to
federal motor carrier safety regulations with proof of an annual
periodic inspection to be exempt from the state annual motor
vehicle inspection.

FISCAL NOTE:  Net Loss to State Highway Fund of $4,204 in FY
2000, and $5,047 in FY 2001 and FY 2002.  Cost to State Road
Fund of $220,000 in FY 2000, and $0 in FY 2001 and FY 2002.
Loss to Highway Patrol Inspection Fund of $2,102 in FY 2000, and
$2,523 in FY 2001 and FY 2002.  Estimated Net Effect on the
State School Moneys Fund of $0 in FY 2000, FY 2001, and FY 2002.

HB 338 -- DIVISION OF MOTOR CARRIER AND RAILROAD SAFETY

SPONSOR:  Koller

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Transportation by a vote of 24 to 0.

This bill revises statutory sections under the Division of Motor
Carrier and Railroad Safety to conform them to changes in the
authority of the division which occurred in 1996 legislation.

The bill also allows the division by rule to provide for the
electronic filing by insurance companies of certificates of
insurance.  The motor carrier annual license renewal date is
changed from the end of February to December 31st.  Anyone
failing to comply with the renewal provision will be guilty of a
class C misdemeanor(currently a misdemeanor).  Charter buses are
included under regulation.

The bill also contains language dealing with the time for
bringing of a suit, use of credit cards for payment of charges
or fees, the release of information relating to the safety of a
carrier, and warning flagman or track-out-of-service signs at
rail crossings.

FISCAL NOTE:  Net Effect on State Highway Fund of $0 in FY 2000,
FY 2001, and FY 2002.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that this legislation contains
clean-up language needed due to changes made 2 years ago in the
division bill and gives the division the ability to better serve
Missouri's customers in an efficient and timely manner.  It also
helps turn toward a more efficient paperless system.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Koller; Missouri
Motor Carriers Association; and United Transportation Union.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Robert Triplett, Legislative Analyst

HB 338 -- Division of Motor Carrier and Railroad Safety

Sponsor:  Koller

This bill revises statutory sections under the Division of Motor
Carrier and Railroad Safety to conform them to changes in the
authority of the division which occurred in 1996 legislation.

The bill also allows the division by rule to provide for the
electronic filing by insurance companies of certificates of
insurance.  The motor carrier annual license renewal date is
changed from the end of February to December 31st.  Anyone
failing to comply with the renewal provision will be guilty of a
class C misdemeanor(currently a misdemeanor).  Charter buses are
included under regulation.

The bill also contains language dealing with the time for
bringing of a suit, use of credit cards for payment of charges
or fees, the release of information relating to the safety of a
carrier, and warning flagman or track-out-of-service signs at
rail crossings.