5/4/04-Gov. Kathleen Sebelius signed a bill into law April 21 amending existing state law relating to certain violations of laws governing trucks and other commercial vehicles.
HB2871 makes a number of violations traffic infractions rather than misdemeanors. The change in classification eliminates the requirement for a personal appearance in court.
Previously, a driver charged with a traffic infraction could enter a written appearance, waive the right to trial, plead guilty or no contest, and pay the fine for the violation and court costs specified.
Fines imposed for the violation affected would not change from those imposed under current state law.
Violations now considered traffic infractions:

• Overweight vehicle;
• Failure to have proper registration, clearance, or a current certificate;
• Insufficient liability insurance for motor carrier;
• Failure to obtain interstate motor fuel tax authorization;
• No authority as common carrier;
• Improper equipment;
• No current driver’s daily log; and
• Invalid or no physical examination card.

4/14/04-House and Senate lawmakers voted to forward a bill to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius that would amend existing state law relating to certain violations of laws governing trucks and other commercial vehicles.
HB2871 would make a number of violations traffic infractions rather than misdemeanors. The change in classification would eliminate the requirement for a personal appearance in court.
Under current law, a driver charged with a traffic infraction may enter a written appearance, waive the right to trial, plead guilty or no contest, and pay the fine for the violation and court costs specified.
Fines imposed for the violation affected by the proposal would not change from those imposed under current law.
Violations that would become traffic infractions:

• Overweight vehicle;
• Failure to have proper registration, clearance, or a current certificate;
• Insufficient liability insurance for motor carrier;
• Failure to obtain interstate motor fuel tax authorization;
• No authority as common carrier;
• Improper equipment;
• No current driver’s daily log; and
• Invalid or no physical examination card.

For bill status, call (785) 296-2149. In Kansas, call 1-800-432-3924.

3/26/04-The Senate approved a bill that would amend existing state law relating to certain violations of laws governing trucks and other commercial vehicles.
HB2871, sponsored by House Transportation Chair Gary Hayzlett, R-Lakin, would make a number of violations traffic infractions rather than misdemeanors. The change in classification would eliminate the requirement for a personal appearance in court.
Under current law, a driver charged with a traffic infraction may enter a written appearance, waive the right to trial, plead guilty or no contest, and pay the fine for the violation and court costs specified.
Fines imposed for the violation affected by the proposal would not change from those imposed under current law.
Violations that would become traffic infractions:

• Overweight vehicle;
• Failure to have proper registration, clearance, or a current certificate;
• Insufficient liability insurance for motor carrier;
• Failure to obtain interstate motor fuel tax authorization;
• No authority as common carrier;
• Improper equipment;
• No current driver’s daily log; and
• Invalid or no physical examination card.

The bill previously passed the House 123-2. At that time, however, it dealt only with a requirement that warning devices be installed on garbage trucks to alert others when the driver is backing the truck.
A House-Senate conference committee has been assembled to discuss differences in each chambers version. If both chambers agree on the bill’s final language, it would be forwarded to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.
For bill status, call (785) 296-2149. In Kansas, call 1-800-432-3924.

3/11/04-A bill before the Senate would amend existing state law relating to certain violations of laws governing trucks and other commercial vehicles.
The bill, sponsored by House Transportation Chair Gary Hayzlett, R-Lakin, would make a number of violations traffic infractions rather than misdemeanors. The change in classification would eliminate the requirement for a personal appearance in court.
Under current law, a driver charged with a traffic infraction may enter a written appearance, waive the right to trial, plead guilty or no contest, and pay the fine for the violation and court costs specified.
Fines imposed for the violation affected by the proposal would not change from those imposed under current law.
Violations that would become traffic infractions:

• Overweight vehicle;
• Failure to have proper registration, clearance, or a current certificate;
• Insufficient liability insurance for motor carrier;
• Failure to obtain interstate motor fuel tax authorization;
• No authority as common carrier;
• Improper equipment;
• No current driver’s daily log; and
• Invalid or no physical examination card.

HB2871 previously passed the House 123-2. It has been forwarded to the Senate Transportation Committee.
For bill status, call (785) 296-2149. In Kansas, call 1-800-432-3924.