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S.B. 118

             1     

MULTISTATE HIGHWAY TRANSPORTATION AGREEMENT

             2     
AMENDMENTS

             3     
2011 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Chief Sponsor: Kevin T. Van Tassell

             6     
House Sponsor: Julie Fisher

             7     
             8      LONG TITLE
             9      General Description:
             10          This bill modifies the Multistate Highway Transportation Agreement by changing the
             11      name from the Multistate Highway Transportation Agreement to the Western States
             12      Transportation Alliance.
             13      Highlighted Provisions:
             14          This bill:
             15          .    changes the name of the Multistate Highway Transportation Agreement to the
             16      Western States Transportation Alliance; and
             17          .    makes technical changes.
             18      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             19          None
             20      Other Special Clauses:
             21          None
             22      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             23      AMENDS:
             24          41-23-1, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1981, Chapter 179
             25          41-23-2, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2001, Chapter 72
             26     
             27      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:


             28          Section 1. Section 41-23-1 is amended to read:
             29     
CHAPTER 23. WESTERN STATES TRANSPORTATION ALLIANCE

             30           41-23-1. Enactment.
             31          The [Multistate Highway Transportation Agreement] Western States Transportation
             32      Alliance is hereby enacted into law and entered into with all other jurisdictions legally joining
             33      therein.
             34          Section 2. Section 41-23-2 is amended to read:
             35           41-23-2. Text.
             36          The text of this [agreement] alliance is as follows:
             37     
[MULTISTATE HIGHWAY TRANSPORTATION AGREEMENT]

             38     
WESTERN STATES TRANSPORTATION ALLIANCE

             39          Pursuant to and in conformity with the laws of their respective jurisdictions, the
             40      participating jurisdictions, acting by and through their officials lawfully authorized to execute
             41      this agreement, do mutually agree as follows:
             42     
ARTICLE I

             43     
Findings and Purposes

             44          Section 1. Findings. The participating jurisdictions find that:
             45          (a) The expanding regional economy depends on expanding transportation capacity;
             46          (b) Highway transportation is the major mode for movement of people and goods in the
             47      western states;
             48          (c) Uniform application in the West of more adequate vehicle size and weight
             49      standards will result in a reduction of pollution, congestion, fuel consumption, and related
             50      transportation costs, which are necessary to permit increased productivity;
             51          (d) A number of western states, already having adopted substantially the 1964 Bureau
             52      of Public Roads recommended vehicle size and weight standards, still find current federal
             53      limits more restrictive; and
             54          (e) The participating jurisdictions are most capable of developing vehicle size and
             55      weight standards most appropriate for their economy and transportation requirements,
             56      consistent with and in recognition of principles of highway safety.
             57          Section 2. Purposes. The purposes of this agreement are to:
             58          (a) Adhere to the principle that each participating jurisdiction should have the freedom


             59      to develop vehicle size and weight standards that it determines to be most appropriate to its
             60      economy and highway system.
             61          (b) Establish a system recommending the operation of vehicles traveling between two
             62      or more participating jurisdictions at more adequate size and weight standards.
             63          (c) Promote uniformity among participating jurisdictions in vehicle size and weight
             64      standards on the basis of the objectives set forth in this agreement.
             65          (d) Secure uniformity insofar as possible, of administrative procedures in the
             66      enforcement of recommended vehicle size and weight standards.
             67          (e) Provide means for the encouragement and utilization of research which will
             68      facilitate the achievement of the foregoing purposes, with due regard for the findings set forth
             69      in section 1 of this article.
             70          (f) Study and recommend appropriate highway user fees.
             71          (g) Facilitate communication between legislators, state transportation administrators,
             72      and commercial industry representatives in addressing the emerging highway transportation
             73      issues in participating jurisdictions.
             74     
ARTICLE II

             75     
Definitions

             76          Section 1. As used in this agreement:
             77          (a) "Cooperating Committee" means a body composed of the designated
             78      representatives from the participating jurisdictions.
             79          (b) "Designated representative" means a legislator or other person authorized under
             80      Article XII to represent the jurisdiction.
             81          (c) "Jurisdiction" means a state of the United States or the District of Columbia.
             82          (d) "Vehicle" means any vehicle as defined by statute to be subject to size and weight
             83      standards which operates in two or more participating jurisdictions.
             84     
ARTICLE III

             85     
General Provisions

             86          Section 1. Qualifications for Membership. Participation in this agreement is open to
             87      jurisdictions which subscribe to the findings, purposes, and objectives of this agreement and
             88      will seek legislation necessary to accomplish these objectives.
             89          Section 2. Cooperation. The participating jurisdictions, working through their


             90      designated representatives, shall cooperate and assist each other in achieving the desired goals
             91      of this agreement pursuant to appropriate statutory authority.
             92          Section 3. Effect of Headings. Article and section headings contained herein shall not
             93      be deemed to govern, limit, modify, or in any manner affect the scope, meaning, or intent of the
             94      provisions of any article or section hereof.
             95          Section 4. Vehicle Laws and Regulations. This agreement shall not authorize the
             96      operation of a vehicle in any participating jurisdiction contrary to the laws or regulations
             97      thereof.
             98          Section 5. Interpretation. The final decision regarding interpretation of questions at
             99      issue relating to this agreement shall be reached by unanimous joint action of the participating
             100      jurisdictions, acting through the designated representatives. Results of all such actions shall be
             101      placed in writing.
             102          Section 6. Amendment. This agreement may be amended by unanimous joint action of
             103      the participating jurisdictions, acting through the officials thereof authorized to enter into this
             104      agreement, subject to the requirements of section 4, article III. Any amendment shall be placed
             105      in writing and become a part hereof.
             106          Section 7. Restrictions, Conditions or Limitations. Any jurisdiction entering this
             107      agreement shall provide each other participating jurisdiction with a list of any restriction,
             108      condition or limitation on the general terms of this agreement, if any.
             109          Section 8. Additional Jurisdictions. Additional jurisdictions may become members of
             110      this agreement by signing and accepting the terms of the agreement.
             111     
ARTICLE IV

             112     
Cooperating Committee

             113          Section 1. Each participating jurisdiction shall have two designated representatives.
             114      Pursuant to section 2, article III, the designated representatives of the participating jurisdictions
             115      shall constitute the Cooperating Committee which shall have the power to:
             116          (a) Collect, correlate, analyze, and evaluate information resulting or derivable from
             117      research and testing activities in relation to vehicle size and weight related matters.
             118          (b) Recommend and encourage the undertaking of research and testing in any aspect of
             119      vehicle size and weight or related matter when, in their collective judgment, appropriate or
             120      sufficient research or testing has not been undertaken.


             121          (c) Recommend changes in law or policy with emphasis on compatibility of laws and
             122      uniformity of administrative rules or regulations which would promote effective governmental
             123      action or coordination in the field of vehicle size and weight related matters.
             124          (d) Recommend improvements in highway operations, in vehicular safety, and in state
             125      administration of highway transportation laws.
             126          (e) Perform functions necessary to facilitate the purposes of this agreement.
             127          Section 2. Each designated representative of a participating jurisdiction shall be entitled
             128      to one vote only. No action of the committee shall be approved unless a majority of the total
             129      number of votes cast by the designated representatives of the participating jurisdictions are in
             130      favor of the action.
             131          Section 3. The committee shall meet at least once annually and shall elect, from among
             132      its members, a chairman, a vice-chairman, and a secretary.
             133          Section 4. The committee shall submit annually to the Legislature of each participating
             134      jurisdiction a report setting forth the work of the committee during the preceding year and
             135      including recommendations developed by the committee. The committee may submit such
             136      additional reports as it deems appropriate or desirable.
             137     
ARTICLE V

             138     
Objectives of the Participating Jurisdictions

             139          Section 1. Objectives. The participating jurisdictions hereby declare that:
             140          (a) It is the objective of the participating jurisdictions to obtain more efficient and more
             141      economical transportation by motor vehicles between and among the participating jurisdictions
             142      by encouraging the adoption of standards that will, as minimums, allow the operation on all
             143      state highways, except those determined through engineering evaluation to be inadequate, with
             144      a single-axle weight of 20,000 pounds, a tandem-axle weight of 34,000 pounds, and a gross
             145      vehicle or combination weight not in excess of that resulting from application of the formula:
             146     
W=500 {LN/(N-1) + 12N+36}

             147      where W = maximum weight in pounds carried on any group of two or more consecutive axles
             148      computed to nearest 500 pounds.
             149          L = distance in feet between the extremes of any group of two or more consecutive
             150      axles.
             151          N = number of axles in group under consideration.


             152          (b) It is the further objective of the participating jurisdictions that the operation of a
             153      vehicle or combination of vehicles in interstate commerce according to the provisions of
             154      subsection (a) of this section be authorized under special permit authority by each participating
             155      jurisdiction for vehicle combinations in excess of statutory weights of 80,000 pounds or
             156      statutory lengths.
             157          (c) It is the further objective of the participating jurisdictions to facilitate and expedite
             158      the operation of any vehicle or combination of vehicles between and among the participating
             159      jurisdictions under the provisions of subsection (a) or (b) of this section, and to that end the
             160      participating jurisdictions hereby agree, through their designated representatives, to meet and
             161      cooperate in the consideration of vehicle size and weight related matters including, but not
             162      limited to, the development of: uniform enforcement procedures; additional vehicle size and
             163      weight standards; operational standards; agreements or compacts to facilitate regional
             164      application and administration of vehicle size and weight standards; uniform permit
             165      procedures; uniform application forms; rules and regulations for the operation of vehicles,
             166      including equipment requirements, driver qualifications, and operating practices; and such
             167      other matters as may be pertinent.
             168          (d) The Cooperating Committee may recommend that the participating jurisdictions
             169      jointly secure congressional approval of this agreement and, specifically of the vehicle size and
             170      weight standards set forth in subsection (a) of this section.
             171          (e) It is the further objective of the participating jurisdictions to:
             172          (1) Establish transportation laws and regulations to meet regional and economic needs
             173      and to promote an efficient, safe, and compatible transportation network;
             174          (2) Develop standards that facilitate the most efficient and environmentally sound
             175      operation of vehicles on highways, consistent with and in recognition of principles of highway
             176      safety; and
             177          (3) Establish programs to increase productivity and reduce congestion, fuel
             178      consumption, and related transportation costs and enhance air quality through the uniform
             179      application of state vehicle regulations and laws.
             180     
ARTICLE VI

             181     
Entry Into Force and Withdrawal

             182          Section 1. This agreement shall enter into force when enacted into law by any two or


             183      more jurisdictions. Thereafter, this agreement shall become effective as to any other
             184      jurisdiction upon its enactment thereof, except as otherwise provided in section 8, article III.
             185          Section 2. Any participating jurisdiction may withdraw from this agreement by
             186      cancelling the same but no such withdrawal shall take effect until 30 days after the designated
             187      representative of the withdrawing jurisdiction has given notice in writing of the withdrawal to
             188      all other participating jurisdictions.
             189     
ARTICLE VII

             190     
Construction and Severability

             191          Section 1. This agreement shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate the purposes
             192      thereof.
             193          Section 2. The provisions of this agreement shall be severable and if any phrase, clause,
             194      sentence or provision of this agreement is declared to be contrary to the constitution of any
             195      participating jurisdiction or the applicability thereto to any government, agency, person or
             196      circumstance is held invalid, the validity of the remainder of this agreement shall not be
             197      affected thereby. If this agreement shall be held contrary to the constitution of any jurisdiction
             198      participating herein, the agreement shall remain in full force and effect as to the jurisdictions
             199      affected as to all severable matters.
             200     
ARTICLE VIII

             201     
Filing of Documents

             202          Section 1. A copy of this agreement, its amendments, and rules or regulations adopted
             203      thereunder and interpretations thereof shall be filed in the highway department in each
             204      participating jurisdiction and shall be made available for review by interested parties.
             205     
ARTICLE IX

             206     
Existing Statutes Not Repealed

             207          Section 1. All existing statutes prescribing weight and size standards and all existing
             208      statutes relating to special permits shall continue to be of force and effect until amended or
             209      repealed by law.
             210     
ARTICLE X

             211     
State Government Departments

             212     
Authorized to Cooperate with Cooperating Committee

             213          Section 1. Within appropriations available therefor, the departments, agencies and


             214      officers of the government of this state shall cooperate with and assist the Cooperating
             215      Committee within the scope contemplated by article IV, section 1 (a) and (b) of the agreement.
             216      The departments, agencies and officers of the government of this state are authorized generally
             217      to cooperate with said Cooperating Committee.
             218     
ARTICLE XI

             219     
Funding Section

             220          Section 1. Funds for the administration of this agreement, including participation in the
             221      Cooperating Committee and the actual expenses of the designated representatives, shall be
             222      budgeted or expensed as determined appropriate.
             223     
ARTICLE XII

             224     
Selection of Designated Representatives

             225          Section 1. The process for selecting the designated representatives to the Cooperating
             226      Committee shall be established by law under this section.
             227          Section 2. The persons authorized to represent the state of Utah as the designated
             228      representatives to the committee shall be the chairperson of the Senate Transportation
             229      Committee and the chairperson of the House Transportation Committee or a legislator or a
             230      state agency official that the chairperson assigns.
             231          Section 3. The transportation chairpersons in each house shall also designate one
             232      alternative designated representative who shall also be a legislator or state agency official to
             233      serve in their absence.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 12-14-10 6:21 AM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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