5/20/08-SB761 has died. However, a similar bill – SB930 – has advanced to the governor’s desk

4/28/08-The Senate voted to advance a bill to the House that includes several provisions of interest to truck drivers.
Sponsored by Sen. Bill Stouffer, R-Napton, SB761 would authorize heavier vehicles on two roadways. The total gross weight of vehicles allowed on U.S. 65 or U.S. 36 highways would be increased from 80,000 pounds to 85,500 pounds.
Another provision would revise procedure for conducting roadside inspections of large trucks. A program would be set up to certify local law enforcement officers to enforce commercial motor vehicle laws.
Certified law enforcement officers could conduct random roadside examinations or inspections to determine compliance with the CMV weight and size limit laws. Officers who are not certified still could pull over large trucks with a “visible external safety defect.”
Commercial driver’s license holders who fail to appear or pay would lose their driving privileges until they fulfill their obligations.
A separate provision added on the Senate floor would authorize the state to implement and administer the Unified Carrier Registration Act. It is a federal act intended to replace the Single State Registration System.
UCR is a plan that will have a fee structure that goes from the old per-truck basis to a per-carrier basis and will be the same for all member states. Truckers will no longer have to pick and choose states, as they do with the SSRS. One fee will cover all states.
Another provision would prohibit indemnity agreements in motor carrier transportation contracts that claim “to indemnify a party against loss from negligence or intentional acts void and unenforceable.”
The bill has moved to the House Transportation Committee.
For bill status, call (573) 751-4633. In Missouri, call 1-800-877-5982.

2/11/08-The Senate Transportation Committee approved a bill that includes a provision to revise procedure for conducting roadside inspections of large trucks. It calls for setting up a program to certify local law enforcement officers to enforce commercial motor vehicle laws.
Certified law enforcement officers could conduct random roadside examinations or inspections to determine compliance with the CMV weight and size limit laws. Officers who are not certified still could pull over large trucks with a “visible external safety defect.”
SB761 also would mandate that commercial driver’s license holders who fail to appear or pay would lose their driving privileges until they fulfill their obligations.

12/11/07-With a few weeks remaining until the start of the legislative session, a bill that likely will draw consideration includes a provision to revise procedure for conducting roadside inspections of large trucks.
Sponsored by Senate Transportation Chairman Bill Stouffer, R-Napton, SB761 calls for setting up a program to certify local law enforcement officers to enforce commercial motor vehicle laws.
Certified law enforcement officers could conduct random roadside examinations or inspections to determine compliance with the CMV weight and size limit laws. Officers who are not certified still could pull over large trucks with a “visible external safety defect.”
The bill also would mandate that commercial driver’s license holders who fail to appear or pay would lose their driving privileges until they fulfill their obligations.
It also would authorize the state to implement and administer the Unified Carrier Registration Act. It is a federal act intended to replace the Single State Registration System.
UCR is a plan that will have a fee structure that goes from the old per-truck basis to a per-carrier basis and will be the same for all member states. Truckers will no longer have to pick and choose states, as they do with the SSRS. One fee will cover all states.
The bill is awaiting assignment to committee for the session that begins Jan. 9.
For bill status, call (573) 751-4633. In Missouri, call 1-800-877-5982.