COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLES                                                              S.B. 595 (S-1):

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                      REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

Senate Bill 595 (Substitute S-1 as reported)

Sponsor:  Senator Tom Casperson

Committee:  Transportation

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Motor Carrier Safety Act to delete a provision under which the following Federal regulations are not included in an exemption from the Act for a commercial motor vehicle owned and operated by a unit of government or its employees:

-- 49 CFR 383.71(h) (which governs medical certification documentation required by a state).

-- 49 CFR Part 382 (which governs controlled substances and alcohol use and testing).

-- 49 CFR Parts 391, 392, and 393 (which govern the qualifications of drivers and longer combination vehicle driver instructors, the driving of commercial motor vehicles, and the parts and accessories necessary for safe operation of motor vehicles, respectively).

The Act regulates the operation of commercial motor vehicles, including driver requirements and physical requirements, vehicle use, inspection, and transportation; and sets penalties. Except as otherwise provided by the Act, and except for the Federal regulations listed above, a commercial motor vehicle owned and operated by a unit of government or its employees is exempt from the Act and the rules promulgated under it. The bill would delete the exception (to the exemption) for those regulations.

The bill would take effect 90 days after enactment.

MCL 480.15                                                            Legislative Analyst:  Drew Krogulecki

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would reduce the cost of local government by an unknown amount. Staff from the Michigan State Police have indicated that the bill would reduce requirements for some drivers of governmental vehicles to the requirements of existing Federal law. The amount of the impact would vary based on the number of drivers and local units affected, current local practices and costs, and whether those practices were continued when no longer required by State law.

Date Completed:  4-27-16                                                  Fiscal Analyst:  Elizabeth Pratt

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.