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:

Harden

 

DATE TYPED:

3/3/03

 

HB

 

 

SHORT TITLE:

Limits for Seed Cotton Module Trucks

 

SB

641/ a SCORC

 

 

ANALYST:

Maloy

 

REVENUE

 

Estimated Revenue

Subsequent

Years Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY03

FY04

 

 

 

 

Minimal

 

Recurring

NMSHTD Road Fund

 

(Unknown)

 

Recurring

Federal Aid Highway Funds

 

Duplicates HB 446.

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 

Responses Received From

Taxation and Revenue Department

DPS Motor Transportation Division

 

SUMMARY

 

     Synopsis of SCORC Amendment

 

The Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee has amended SB 641 to:

 

·        change the distance that the load may be transported from 75 miles to 100 miles,

 

·        add a requirement that the vehicle have signage on its front and rear indicating “OVERSIZED LOAD”,

 

·        provide that, in the event a heavily loaded module vehicle causes damage to a highway, street, road or bridge, the owner of the transport vehicle will be responsible for the damages, and

 

·        state that, if the vehicle is not operated on routes identified by the state highway and transportation department as having deficient bridge structures, the owner or operator of the vehicle shall obtain and have in possession the deficient bride information as issued by the department on an annual basis.

 

     Synopsis of Original Bill

 

Senate Bill  641 creates an exemption from New Mexico’s vehicle size and weight laws for seed cotton module transports, allowing for greater sized vehicles and heavier weights without requiring the owner to secure an oversize/overweight permit or escort.  Required compliance with  oversize/overweight safety restrictions is eliminated. 

    

     Significant Issues

 

1.                  Larger vehicles give rise to safety concerns.  These vehicles would not be marked / escorted with “Oversize Load” signage.

 

2.                  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

 

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. 

 

The fiscal impact to New Mexico could also include a loss of Federal Aid (FA) highway funds in an amount equal to 10% of the amount which could be otherwise apportioned to the State under 23 U.S.C. 104, and/or by the amount required pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 127. 

 

SM/yr