1     
PORT OF ENTRY AMENDMENTS

2     
2024 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: Don L. Ipson

5     
House Sponsor: Walt Brooks

6     

7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This bill amends provisions related to port-of-entry weight limits and agreements
10     between states at certain ports-of-entry.
11     Highlighted Provisions:
12          This bill:
13          ▸     provides an exception to the typical vehicle weight standards at a port-of-entry to
14     allow the Department of Transportation to apply the lowest applicable gross vehicle
15     weight or gross combination weight applicable at certain ports-of-entry where the
16     Department of Transportation has entered into an agreement regarding operation of
17     the port-of-entry; and
18          ▸     makes technical changes.
19     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
20          None
21     Other Special Clauses:
22          None
23     Utah Code Sections Affected:
24     AMENDS:
25          72-9-502, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 296
26     

27     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:

28          Section 1. Section 72-9-502 is amended to read:
29          72-9-502. Motor vehicles to stop at ports-of-entry -- Signs -- Exceptions --
30     Rulemaking -- By-pass permits.
31          (1) Except [under Subsection (3)] as provided in Subsections (3) and (5), a motor
32     carrier operating a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight of
33     26,001 or more pounds, whichever is greater, shall stop at a port-of-entry as required under this
34     section.
35          (2) The department may erect and maintain signs directing motor vehicles to a
36     port-of-entry as provided in this section.
37          (3) A motor vehicle required to stop at a port-of-entry under Subsection (1) is exempt
38     from this section if:
39          (a) the total one-way trip distance for the motor vehicle would be increased by more
40     than 5% or three miles, whichever is greater if diverted to a port-of-entry;
41          (b) the motor vehicle is operating under a temporary port-of-entry by-pass permit
42     issued under Subsection (4); or
43          (c) the motor vehicle is an implement of husbandry as defined in Section 41-1a-102
44     being operated only incidentally on a highway as described in Section 41-1a-202.
45          (4) (a) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act,
46     the department shall make rules for the issuance of a temporary port-of-entry by-pass permit
47     exempting a motor vehicle from the provisions of Subsection (1) if the department determines
48     that the permit is needed to accommodate highway transportation needs due to multiple daily or
49     weekly trips in the proximity of a port-of-entry.
50          (b) The rules under Subsection (4)(a) shall provide that one permit may be issued to a
51     motor carrier for multiple motor vehicles.
52          (5) If a port-of-entry is subject to an agreement entered into pursuant to Section
53     72-9-503, the department may apply the lowest gross vehicle weight or gross combination
54     weight applicable to the relevant port-of-entry.
55          Section 2. Effective date.
56          This bill takes effect on May 1, 2024.