NOTE:  As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended only for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used for other purposes.

 

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F I S C A L   I M P A C T   R E P O R T

 

 

SPONSOR:

House Floor

 

DATE TYPED:

3/13/03

 

HB

446/HFlS

 

SHORT TITLE:

Limits for Seed Cotton Module Trucks

 

SB

 

 

 

ANALYST:

Maloy

 

REVENUE

 

Estimated Revenue

Subsequent

Years Impact

Recurring

Or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY03

FY04

 

 

 

 

Minimal

 

Recurring

NMSHTD Road Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 

Responses Received From

Taxation and Revenue Department

DPS Motor Transportation Division

 

SUMMARY

           

Synopsis of Bill

 

The House Floor Substitute for House Bill 446 provides an exemption for vehicles used to transport seed cotton modules.  The bill exempts these transports from securing a permit or escort if:

 

1.                  the vehicle is no wider than 9 feet.

2.                  the vehicle is no longer than 48 feet, and

3.                  no higher than 14 feet, 6 inches;

4.                  the load is not transported for a distance greater than 100 miles;

5.                  the gross vehicle weight is less than 59,400 pounds;

6.                  the vehicles is marked on the font and rear with “OVERSIZE LOAD” signs; and

7.                  the vehicle is not operated on highways for which a more strict size or weight limitation is required by federal law.

 

The bill also provides that the owner of a transport with a gross weight in excess of 59,400 pounds will be liable to the state, county or municipality for any damage done to a New Mexico roadway.   Further, if the transport is not operated on routes identified by the state highway and transportation department as having deficient bridge structures, the owner or operator of the transport shall obtain and keep in his possession the department’s deficient bridge information.  Current bridge deficiency information shall be obtained annually.

 

Significant Issues:

 

According to the state highway and transportation department, federal highway road funding could be compromised if these vehicles are allowed to operate in excess of 8’6” in width without securing a state permit, reference Title 23 CFR 658.15  But, the department has stated that the substitute bill’s language is intended to address and resolve this issue

 

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

 

The fiscal impact to the oversize permit section of DPS/MTD would be an annual loss of revenue estimated at approximately $1,000 annually. 

 

SM/njw