9/26/03-A Senate bill would force the owner or leaser of an intermodal chassis to be responsible for the proper maintenance of the equipment.
Under SB1870, sponsored by Sen. Robert Havern, D-Arlington, ports in the state that load and unload oceangoing vessels would be required to conduct inspections to check brakes, suspension, tires and wheels, connecting devices, lights, and electrical systems. Inspectors would be required to place a tamper-proof green tag on chassis with no defects and a red tag on chassis with defects.
Any ocean marine terminal that violates this order would be subject to a $500 fine per occurrence. The measure would allow a driver to request that a chassis be reinspected if he or she thought it was unsafe.
It also would require the state Registry of Motor Vehicles to conduct random on-site reviews of ocean marine terminals to determine whether the terminal is complying with the requirements of this act.
The bill is in the Joint Committee on Natural Resources and Agriculture. For bill status, call (617) 722-1455.