5/16/05-A transportation bill that included a ban on large trucks from driving in the far left lane on most urban highways and interstates in the state has died.
The bill was doomed once lawmakers disagreed on a provision to allow police to pull over drivers for not buckling up. Time ran out on the session May 13 before an agreement could be reached.
Senators had approved the bill with the seat-belt provision only to have House lawmakers throw it out. The Senate responded by requesting a conference committee to work out differences. The House never agreed to meet.
One thing House and Senate lawmakers did agree on was their desire to restrict commercial vehicles to the right lanes of highways and interstates with three or more lanes in each direction. However, the lane ban died with the rest of the bill.
Trucks would have been permitted to drive in the left lane in certain situations, such as a vehicle entering the roadway or for construction.
Sponsored by Sen. Jon Dolan, R-Lake Saint Louis, SB221 called for lane violators to face a fine ranging from $200 to $300.
If the bill had been signed into law, the Missouri Department of Transportation would have been responsible for posting up to 430 signs informing drivers of the lane ban at a cost of about $150,000, according to the Missouri Legislature’s Web site.
The seat-belt provision sought by the Senate would have permitted police to pull over drivers for failure to buckle up. State law now allows motorists to be ticketed for failure to buckle up only after being stopped for another traffic violation.
The bill also included a provision to repeal the state law requiring adult motorcycle riders to wear helmets.

5/11/05-The House approved a transportation bill Tuesday, May 10, that includes a ban on large trucks from driving in the far left lane on most urban highways and interstates in the state. But House members threw out a provision in the bill to allow police to pull over drivers for not buckling up.
Later in the day, House lawmakers sent the bill back to the state Senate for approval of changes. Senators, however, quickly refused to sign off on it and called for a conference committee to work out differences.
If an agreement were reached before the session ends May 13, the bill would head to Gov. Matt Blunt for approval.
House and Senate lawmakers did agree to restrict commercial vehicles to the right lanes of highways and interstates with three or more lanes in each direction.
Trucks would be permitted to drive in the left lane in certain situations, such as a vehicle entering the roadway or for construction.
Sponsored by Sen. Jon Dolan, R-Lake Saint Louis, SB221 calls for violators to face a fine ranging from $200 to $300.
If signed into law, the Missouri Department of Transportation would be responsible for posting up to 430 signs informing drivers of the lane ban at a cost of about $150,000, according to the Missouri Legislature’s Web site.
The seat-belt provision sought by the Senate would permit police to pull over drivers for failure to buckle up. State law now allows motorists to be ticketed for failure to buckle up only after being stopped for another traffic violation.
For bill status, call (573) 751-2966.

5/6/05-A measure awaiting a vote before the House would ban large trucks from driving in the far left lane on most urban highways and interstates in the state.
If approved by House lawmakers, it would go back to the Senate for approval of changes before heading to Gov. Matt Blunt.
The bill would restrict commercial vehicles to the right lanes of highways and interstates with three or more lanes in each direction.
Trucks would be permitted to merge left in certain situations, such as a vehicle entering the roadway or for construction.
Sponsored by Sen. Jon Dolan, R-Lake Saint Louis, SB221 calls for violators to face a fine ranging from $200 to $300.
A provision added to the bill while in the Senate would permit police to pull over drivers for not wearing their seat belts. Violators would be fined $10, the same amount as current state law.
State law now allows motorists to be ticketed for failure to buckle up only after being stopped for another traffic violation.
Another part of the bill would repeal the state law requiring adult motorcycle riders to wear helmets.
For bill status, call (573) 751-2966.

3/21/05-The Senate voted 29-1 on March to approve a bill that would ban large trucks from driving in the far left lane on most urban highways and interstates in the state.
SB221, sponsored by Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Jon Dolan, would restrict commercial vehicles to the right lanes of highways and interstates with three or more lanes in each direction.
Under the bill, truckers caught in the left lane could be subject to a fine ranging from $200 to $300.
Another provision in the bill would permit police to pull over drivers solely for not wearing their seat belts. State law now allows motorists to be ticketed for failure to buckle up only after being stopped for another traffic violation.
The bill also would require all children under 4 years old to ride in child safety seats, and those ages 4 and 5 to be in booster seats. Older children would simply have to wear seat belts.
Currently, children 4-16 must be belted, and younger children must be in child safety seats.
The bill has been sent to the House for further consideration. For bill status, call (573) 751-2966.

3/8/05-The Senate is expected to vote this week on a bill to ban large trucks from driving in the far left lane on most urban highways and interstates in the state. It previously passed the Senate Transportation Committee.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Jon Dolan, R-Lake Saint Louis, would restrict commercial vehicles to the right lanes of highways and interstates with three or more lanes in each direction.
Trucks would be permitted to merge left in certain situations, such as a vehicle entering the roadway.
Under SB221, violators could be subject to a fine ranging from $200 to $300.
A provision recently added to the bill would permit police to pull over drivers for not wearing their seat belts. Violators would be fined $10, the same amount as current state law.
State law now allows motorists to be ticketed for failure to buckle up only after being stopped for another traffic violation.
For Senate bill status, call (573) 751-2966.

1/28/05-A bill in the Senate Transportation Committee would ban large trucks from driving in the far left lane on most urban highways and interstates in the state.
SB221, sponsored by Transportation Chairman Jon Dolan, R-Lake Saint Louis, would restrict commercial vehicles to the right lanes of highways and interstates with three or more lanes in each direction.
Trucks would be permitted to merge left in certain situations, such as a vehicle entering the roadway.
Under the bill, violators could be subject to a fine ranging from $200 to $300.
For Senate bill status, call (573) 751-2966.