FINAL BILL REPORT

SJM 8006

BYSenators Hansen, Patterson, Garrett, DeJarnatt, Bender, Tanner, Nelson, West and Smitherman

Petitioning the United States Department of Transportation to develop guidelines for implementing the Motor Carrier Safety Act.

Senate Committee on Transportation

House Committe on Transportation

AS PASSED LEGISLATURE

BACKGROUND:

The Federal Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 established national minimum standards which include:  testing and licensing of commercial drivers; requiring commercial truck drivers to have a single classified license and driving record; and directing the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation to establish a central license information center.

Rule-making authority was granted to the U.S. Secretary of Transportation for implementation of these new programs.  The rules apply to all inter- and intrastate drivers of commercial vehicles.  A commercial motor vehicle is defined as any vehicle used in commerce to transport property or passengers which (1) has a gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds, (2) is designed to carry 15 passengers, including the driver; or (3) is designed to transport hazardous materials.

The Act provided grant programs to assist states in developing and implementing the new federal standards.  Federal sanctions may be imposed on noncomplying states after September 30, 1993.

Various effective dates are provided in the Act with full implementation in 1993.

SUMMARY:

The Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation is urged to establish:  (1) rules for implementing the various concepts contained in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act of 1986, and (2) the appropriate blood alcohol content for DWI at 0.10 percent to conform to the standard used in Washington and many other states.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Senate    45     1

      House 92   0