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(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Legislative Finance Committee

SUMMARY

Synopsis of HTC Amendment

The House Taxation Committee amendment accomplishes the following:

• Deletes the three-year term of the Multistate Highway Transportation Agreement allowing the agreement to remain in effect until other amendments are needed between participating states.



• A technical amendment to remove outdated language from the existing agreement which required the Secretary of Highway and Transportation to make a recommendation by July 1, 2000, was adopted.

Synopsis of Original Bill

House Bill 830 amends the existing Multistate Highway Transportation Agreement in statutes to accomplish the following:

• •A new purpose statement is added to "Facilitate communication among legislators, state transportation administrators and commercial industry representatives in addressing the emerging highway transportation issues in participating jurisdictions.



• •A new definition is added for "Cooperating Committee" meaning a committee composed of the designated representatives from participating jurisdictions.
• •The following amendments are made to Article IV on Cooperating Committee:



• •Each participating jurisdiction shall have two designated representatives



• •The Cooperating Committee will have the following additional powers:



• •Recommend improvements in highway operations, in vehicular safety and in state administration of highway transportation laws



• •Perform functions necessary to facilitate the purposes of this agreement



• •Each designated representative of a participating jurisdiction is entitled to one vote



• •No action of the committee is approved unless a majority of the designated representatives of the participating jurisdictions are in favor



• •The following amendments are made to Article V on Objectives of the Participating Jurisdictions:



• •Add to the objective of obtaining safer, more economical transportation by motor vehicles, more efficient transportation between and among participating jurisdictions by adopting minimum standards which allow operation on all state highways of single-axle weight not in excess of twenty thousand pounds, a tandem-axle weight not in excess of thirty-four thousand pounds and a gross vehicle weight not in excess of the following formula: W=500((LN/(N-1))+36)



• •For interstate commerce, vehicles described above be authorized under special permit authority by each participating jurisdiction for vehicle combinations in excess of the statutory weight of eighty thousand pounds or statutory lengths



• •The cooperating committee may recommend that participating jurisdictions jointly secure congressional approval of this agreement



• •Establish transportation laws and regulations to meet regional needs and to promote an efficient, safe and compatible transportation network



• •Develop standards that facilitate the most efficient and environmentally sound operation of vehicles on highways, consistent with and in recognition of principles of highway safety.



• •Establish programs to increase productivity and reduce congestion, fuel consumption and related transportation costs and enhance air quality through the uniform application of state vehicle regulations and laws.



• •A new process for selecting the designated representatives to the Cooperating Committee is established. The following members are on the Committee:



• •The chair of the Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee

• •The chair of the House Transportation Committee



• •Or, a legislator or state agency official that the chair designates



• •The chairs designated shall also designate one alternate designated representative who shall also be a legislator or state agency official to serve in the absence of the designated chair

Significant Issues

The bill changes the appointment of designated representatives from appointments by the Speaker of the House and the Senate President Pro Tempore to chairs of the Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee and House Transportation Committee or their alternate.

The agreement change allows each jurisdiction representative to cast a vote (for a total of two votes per state) instead of having only one vote per jurisdiction.

The agreement generally promotes safer, more economical and efficient transportation between participating states with the goal of improved interstate commerce.

Other detailed changes to the agreement are explained in the synopsis.

TECHNICAL ISSUES

On page 5, line 2, "participation" should be changed to "participating."

MV/njw:ar