Wyoming bills of interest to truckers
January 22, 2009
Land Line Magazine, a magazine for professional truckers, posted an interesting article about several road safety bills being tossed around at the Wyoming statehouse. The new bills address chain law, road closures, and drivers distracted by cell phones and text messaging devices.
Click on this link for the article by Keith Goble, state legislative editor: Wyoming bills address chain law, road closures and distracted driving (January 22, 2009, Land Line Magazine)
Below are links to other proposed legislation impacting the trucking industry:
HB45 – Transportation funds
January 21, 2009
http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2009/Introduced/HB0045.pdf
http://www.ooida.com/Legislative_Watch/2009/WY/Updates/HB45.shtml
1/21/09-A bill in the Legislature’s Transportation, Highways and Military Affairs Committee would tap into the state’s mineral severance tax to benefit transportation funding. The tax is levied on resources extracted in the state. HB45 would generate about $122 million annually for highways by diverting a portion of the tax revenue that now is funneled into the Legislature’s reserve fund. Another $30 million would be deposited into an existing multi-lane highway account that has not been funded. The account pays to add lanes to the state’s most congested highways. For bill status, call 307-777-6185.
HB47 – Interstate signage
January 21, 2009
http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2009/Introduced/HB0047.pdf
http://www.ooida.com/Legislative_Watch/2009/WY/Updates/HB47.shtml
1/21/09- A bill in the Legislature’s Transportation, Highways and Military Affairs Committee would authorize the Wyoming Department of Transportation to raise money via signage along interstates for restaurants and lodging. WYDOT now can only charge fees to recoup the costs of posting and upkeep for signs. According to a fiscal analysis of HB47, implementing a bidding process for commercial signage could generate $300,000 annually for transportation. For bill status, call 307-777-6185.
HB85 – Chain laws
January 20, 2009
http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2009/Introduced/HB0085.pdf
http://www.ooida.com/Legislative_Watch/2009/WY/Updates/HB85.shtml
1/20/09-A bill in the Legislature’s Transportation, Highways and Military Affairs Committee would increase fines for drivers who do not put chains on their vehicles when it is required. Wyoming law now mandates that travel on highways may be restricted to all wheel drive vehicles or motor vehicles equipped with tire chains or adequate snow tires when the superintendent or his authorized representative determine that travel is sufficiently hazardous due to snow, ice, or other conditions. Sponsored by Rep. Stan Blake, D-Green River, HB85 would modify the rule to specifically address where truck drivers must install chains on their tires. The bill specifies that commercial vehicles with four or more drive wheels with spacing of five feet or less between axles must install tire chains to at least two of the drive wheels at opposite ends of the same drive axle when the vehicle is required to be equipped with tire chains. Violators would face up to $250 fines. If violations result in the closure of all lanes in one or both directions, fines would increase to as much as $750. For bill status, call 307-777-6185.
HJR2 – Interstate 80
January 21, 2009
http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2009/Introduced/HJ0002.pdf
http://www.ooida.com/Legislative_Watch/2009/WY/Updates/HJR2.shtml
1/21/09-An effort in the Legislature’s Transportation, Highways and Military Affairs Committee asks the federal government to meet its obligation to adequately fund improvements and maintenance of Interstate 80 in the state. House Joint Resolution 2 points out that the 402-mile highway serves as "an essential link between the east and west coasts ... and is a vital freight corridor critical to the commerce of our nation."
It is estimated in the measure that half of all traffic on the Wyoming portion of the roadway is made up of large trucks, which are blamed for causing greater damage than other vehicles. Figures show that traffic is expected to increase from 6,899 trucks per day now to 22,300 per day in 2049. The resolution advises Congress that current federal funding available to Wyoming for I-80 is insufficient. As a result, the financial strain on the state "is jeopardizing the operational health of one of the nation’s crucial freight corridors." For bill status, call 307-777-6185.
SF59 – Road closures
January 20, 2009
http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2009/Introduced/SF0059.pdf
http://www.ooida.com/Legislative_Watch/2009/WY/Updates/SF59.shtml
1/20/09-A bill awaiting final approval on the Senate floor would increase the fines for failing to observe road closures. SF59 also would set up standards for allowing vehicles to use closed roads. Failure to observe signs, warnings or other markers would result in as much as $650 fines and/or up to 30 days in jail. State law now allows for $100 fines. The Wyoming Department of Transportation or Highway Patrol could allow vehicles to proceed if drivers are traveling to a destination beyond the closure point, either agency determines there is no dangerous or hazardous condition preventing passage, or drivers agree to any conditions or requirements for traveling on the closed portion of the highway. Passage would be granted on a case-by-case basis, unless otherwise determined by WYDOT or the Highway Patrol. For bill status, call 307-777-6185.
SF63 – Text messaging ban
January 20, 2009
http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2009/Introduced/SF0063.pdf
http://www.ooida.com/Legislative_Watch/2009/WY/Updates/SF63.shtml
1/20/09-A bill in the Legislature’s Transportation, Highways and Military Affairs Committee would prohibit the use of wireless communication devices while driving. SF63 would ban use of text messaging devices while at the wheel. For bill status, call 307-777-6185.
SF64 – Distracted driving
January 20, 2009
http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2009/Introduced/SF0064.pdf
http://www.ooida.com/Legislative_Watch/2009/WY/Updates/SF64.shtml
1/20/09-A bill in the Legislature’s Transportation, Highways and Military Affairs Committee would prohibit the use of wireless communication devices while driving. SF64 outlaw the use of hand-held phones, including text messaging devices, by all drivers. Exceptions would be made for CBs. For bill status, call 307-777-6185.
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