8-2-01 -- The session ended April 29, 2001. Any unresolved bills are dead and must be reintroduced next session, which begins Jan. 7, 2003. For bill status information, call (701) 328-2916.

5/14/2001 - Gov. John Hoeven vetoed a portion of SB2012 April 28, saying no way to 75-mph speed limits for trucks. He returned the bill to the Senate without the speed limit provision while approving the rest of the transportation bill. The Senate voted against overriding the governor's veto. The legislative session adjourned April 29, 2001.

4/29/01 North Dakota Governor John Hoeven vetoed a portion of SB2012 April 28, saying no way to 75-mph speed limits for trucks. He returned the bill to the Senate without the speed limit provision while approving the rest of the transportation bill. Section 7 of SB2012 would have raised the interstate speed limit from 70 to 75 mph.
In his statement to the Senate, Gov. Hoeven wrote, "This is a policy I cannot endorse because we do not have adequate enforcement mechanisms in place to accommodate a higher speed limit, without adequately addressing penalties for exceeding those new limits."
The governor specifically referred to SB2088, which would raise fines for a number of big-truck violations.
"Specifically, Senate Bill 2088 makes adjustments to the fees and points assessed for speeding, but does not adequately address higher speed limits upon the interstates," he said. "In short, we would be left with a higher speed limit, without adequately addressing penalties for exceeding those new limits."
By a narrow margin, the Senate voted against overriding the governor's veto. The results of the roll call vote were 22 yeas, 25 nays, 0 excused, and 2 absent and not voting.

4/24/01 - North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven signed two bills in March affecting truckdrivers. SB2097 deletes the provision from state law that allows intrastate truckers to begin a new seven-day duty period after 24 consecutive hours off duty, while HB1175 creates stiff penalties for truckers who violate railroad-highway grade crossing rules.
The legislative session ends May 3, 2001.

3/9/01 - North Dakota intrastate truckers will change their workweek if Governor John Hoeven signs SB2087. The bill will delete the provision from state law that allows intrastate truckers to begin a new seven-day duty period after 24 consecutive hours off duty if passed by the legislature.
The bill was introduced Jan. 9 at the request of the North Dakota Highway Patrol. It passed through the Senate with a unanimous approval Jan. 29 and garnered House approval Feb. 28 with an 87-6 vote. The bill was signed by the Senate President and Speaker of the House on March 5, and sent to the governor March 7.

2/12/01 - SB2088 proposes raising fines for a number of big-truck violations. If this bill becomes law, any violation of hazardous materials regulations will set a trucker back $250. Drivers who violate hours-of-service regulations or fail to maintain a logbook, or operate a vehicle with four to six out-of-service violations will pay $100. Falsifying a logbook or operating a vehicle with seven to nine out-of-service violations will cost the driver $250. Operating a vehicle that has been placed out of service or a vehicle that has 10 or more out-of-service violations will carry a penalty of $500. Any other violation of motor carrier safety regulations will result in a $50 fine. In addition, a North Dakota-based trucker who violates hazardous materials regulations will have two points tacked onto his/her license.
SB2087 will delete the provision from state law that allows intrastate truckers to begin a new seven-day duty period after 24 consecutive hours off duty if passed by the legislature.
HB1175 recommends stiff penalties for truckers who violate railroad-highway grade crossing rules. The first violation will result in a 60-day disqualification for the driver. The second such violation in a three-year period will come with a 120-day disqualification. The third time in a three-year period means losing your license for a year.
SB2159 seeks a $15 per year increase in registration fees for all vehicles. According to published reports, the money is specifically intended for road repair.
All of these bills are assigned to their respective transportation committees. The general information number for the legislature is (701) 328-3373.