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SB 1134 — Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
by Senator Harrell
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Transportation Committee (TR)
The bill relates to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) and includes the following provisions:
- Updates the date of adoption of federal regulations and rules for commercial motor vehicles (CMV) to December 31, 2020;
- Provides that a person who has been convicted of any felony involving human trafficking under state or federal law involving the use of a CMV may not be licensed as a CMV operator, or hold a CMV license;
- Incorporates violations for texting or using a handheld phone device while operating a CMV as a serious disqualifying offense, which may result in a person being disqualified from operating a CMV for a specified period of time, to align with federal regulations;
- Provides that the expiration date for an original issuance of a commercial driver license is at midnight eight years after the licensee’s last birthday;
- Revises the length of time within which an officer of the DHSMV is authorized to give written notice requiring correction of an unduly hazardous operating condition from 14 days to 15 days;
- Updates statute to reflect the DHSMV is the agency responsible for the safe operations of nonpublic sector buses and further provides that an agent of the DHSMV may require the driver of any nonpublic sector bus operated on the highways of this state to stop and submit to an inspection of the vehicle or the driver's records;
- Provides that current seat belt requirements are applicable when a vehicle is stationary at a traffic signal;
- Exempts from odometer disclosure a vehicle with a model year of 2011 or newer after 20 years;
- Provides that a motor carrier or vehicle owner whose registration has been suspended is required to return the license plate to the DHSMV or surrender it to law enforcement; and
- Provides expanded and new subpoena powers for the DHSMV related to motor vehicle dealers and manufacturers, private rebuilt inspection providers, title certificates, and driver licenses.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2021.
Vote: Senate 40-0; House 118-0