1999 Legislation
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HOUSE BILL NO. 371 – MV, over 60,000 lbs, registration

HOUSE BILL NO. 371

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H0371.....................................................by WAYS AND MEANS
MOTOR VEHICLES - Amends and repeals existing law to revise the method for
registration of vehicles weighing in excess of 60,000 pounds from the
weight-distance use fee method to a flat registration fee method; and to
provide schedules of registration fees.

03/12    House intro - 1st rdg - to printing
03/15    Rpt prt - to W/M

Bill Text


H0371


                                                                        
 ||||              LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO             ||||
Fifty-fifth Legislature                 First Regular Session - 1999
                                                                        

                             IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                                    HOUSE BILL NO. 371

                               BY WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE

 1                                        AN ACT
 2    RELATING TO REGISTRATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES WEIGHING IN EXCESS OF  SIXTY  THOU-
 3        SAND  POUNDS GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT; AMENDING SECTION 49-110, IDAHO CODE, TO
 4        DEFINE "INTERNATIONAL REGISTRATION PLAN"; AMENDING SECTION  49-114,  IDAHO
 5        CODE,  TO  DELETE  REFERENCE TO USE FEE AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS;
 6        AMENDING SECTION 49-122, IDAHO CODE, TO DELETE THE DEFINITION OF "USE FEE"
 7        AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS; REPEALING SECTION 49-201A, IDAHO  CODE;
 8        AMENDING  SECTION 49-202, IDAHO CODE, TO DELETE REFERENCE TO REPEALED LAW,
 9        TO PROVIDE A CORRECT REFERENCE AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS; AMENDING
10        SECTION 49-434, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE THE REGISTRATION SCHEDULE FOR  VEHI-
11        CLES  WEIGHING IN EXCESS OF SIXTY THOUSAND POUNDS GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT, TO
12        CLARIFY REGISTRATIONS FOR VEHICLES WHICH ARE REGISTERED UNDER THE INTERNA-
13        TIONAL REGISTRATION PLAN, TO CLARIFY REGISTRATIONS FOR VEHICLES WHICH  ARE
14        NOT  REGISTERED UNDER THE INTERNATIONAL REGISTRATION PLAN, TO CLARIFY TER-
15        MINOLOGY FOR REGISTRATION OF FARM VEHICLES AND COMMERCIAL VEHICLES  TRANS-
16        PORTING  SPECIFIED  COMMODITIES,  TO CLARIFY REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES WHEN
17        THEY EXCEED THEIR REGISTERED MAXIMUM WEIGHT OR WHEN THEY ARE NOT  ELIGIBLE
18        FOR  LIMITED  COMMODITY  REGISTRATION AND TO PROVIDE AN ADMINISTRATIVE FEE
19        FOR SUCH REGISTRATIONS, TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT MAY  REQUEST  ADDI-
20        TIONAL  INFORMATION ON NUMBER OF MILES DRIVEN AND COMMODITIES TRANSPORTED,
21        TO PROVIDE RULEMAKING AUTHORITY FOR SEASONAL REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES,  TO
22        PROVIDE  RULEMAKING  AUTHORITY  FOR QUARTERLY PAYMENT OF REGISTRATION FEES
23        FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES, TO DELETE OBSOLETE LANGUAGE AND TO MAKE A  TECHNICAL
24        CORRECTION;  AMENDING  SECTION  49-435,  IDAHO CODE, TO DELETE A PROVISION
25        RELATING TO USE FEE AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS; REPEALING  SECTIONS
26        49-435A  AND  49-436,  IDAHO CODE; AMENDING SECTION 49-438, IDAHO CODE, TO
27        DELETE REFERENCE TO USE FEE; AMENDING SECTION 49-439, IDAHO CODE, TO  PRO-
28        VIDE  A STANDARD AUDITING CYCLE, TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL AUDITING CONDITIONS
29        AND PROCEDURES CONSISTENT WITH CURRENT LAW AND TO MAKE  TECHNICAL  CORREC-
30        TIONS;  AMENDING  SECTION  49-504, IDAHO CODE, TO DELETE REFERENCE TO USER
31        FEES AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS; AMENDING  SECTION  49-1001,  IDAHO
32        CODE,  TO  DELETE  REFERENCE  TO WEIGHT-DISTANCE OPERATING FEES; PROVIDING
33        LEGISLATIVE INTENT; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE AND PROVIDING FOR  TRANSI-
34        TION  FROM  THE  WEIGHT-DISTANCE USE FEE TO IMPLEMENTATION OF REGISTRATION
35        FEES.

36    Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:

37        SECTION 1.  That Section 49-110, Idaho Code, be, and the  same  is  hereby
38    amended to read as follows:

39        49-110.  DEFINITIONS -- I.
40        (1)  "Identifying number" means:
41        (a)  Motor  number.  That  identifying  number  stamped on the engine of a
42        vehicle.
43        (b)  Vehicle identification number.  The  numbers  and  letters,  if  any,


                                          2

 1        placed on a vehicle by the manufacturer for the purpose of identifying the
 2        vehicle.
 3        (2)  "Implements  of  husbandry"  means  every vehicle including self-pro-
 4    pelled units, designed or adapted and used exclusively in agricultural, horti-
 5    cultural, dairy and livestock growing and feeding operations when being  inci-
 6    dentally  operated. Such implements include, but are not limited to, combines,
 7    discs, dry and liquid fertilizer spreaders, cargo tanks, harrows, hay  balers,
 8    harvesting  and  stacking  equipment,  pesticide applicators, plows, swathers,
 9    mint tubs and mint wagons, and farm wagons. A farm tractor when attached to or
10    drawing any implement of husbandry shall be construed to be  an  implement  of
11    husbandry.  "Implements of husbandry" do not include semitrailers, nor do they
12    include motor vehicles or trailers, unless their design limits  their  use  to
13    agricultural,  horticultural,  dairy  or  livestock growing and feeding opera-
14    tions.
15        (3)  "Incidentally operated" means the transport of the implement of  hus-
16    bandry from one (1) farm operation to another.
17        (4)  "Individual  record"  means  a record containing personal information
18    about a designated person who is the subject of the record as identified in  a
19    request for information.
20        (5)  "Infraction"  means a civil public offense, not constituting a crime,
21    which is not punishable by incarceration and for which there is no right to  a
22    trial  by jury or right to court-appointed counsel, and which is punishable by
23    only a penalty not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100) and no imprisonment.
24        (6)  "Instructor" means any person, whether acting for himself as operator
25    of a commercial driver training school or for such a school for  compensation,
26    who teaches, conducts classes of, gives demonstrations to, or supervises prac-
27    tice of, persons learning to operate or drive motor vehicles.
28        (7)  "Insurer"  means any insurer, public or private, which shall include,
29    but not be limited to, insurance companies domiciled in the  state  of  Idaho,
30    agents,  adjuster  or  any  other person acting on behalf of any insurance not
31    domiciled in the state of Idaho and any self-insured  entity  operating  under
32    Idaho insurance laws or rules.
33        (8)    "International  registration  plan" means a registration reci-
34    procity agreement among the states of the United States and provinces of  Can-
35    ada  providing  for payment of registration and licensing fees on the basis of
36    fleet miles operated in the various jurisdictions.
37        (9)   "Intersection" means:
38        (a)  The area embraced within the prolongation or connection of  the  lat-
39        eral curb lines, or, if none, then the lateral boundary lines of the road-
40        ways  of  two (2) highways which join one another at, or approximately at,
41        right angles, or the area within which vehicles traveling  upon  different
42        highways joining at any other angle may come in conflict.
43        (b)  Where  a  highway  includes two (2) roadways thirty (30) feet or more
44        apart, then every crossing of each roadway of the divided highway  by   an
45        intersecting highway shall be regarded as a separate intersection.  In the
46        event  an  intersecting highway also includes two (2) roadways thirty (30)
47        feet or more apart, then every crossing of two (2) roadways of  the  high-
48        ways shall be regarded as a separate intersection.
49        (c)  The  junction  of an alley with a street or highway shall not consti-
50        tute an intersection.

51        SECTION 2.  That Section 49-114, Idaho Code, be, and the  same  is  hereby
52    amended to read as follows:

53        49-114.  DEFINITIONS -- M.


                                          3

 1        (1)  "Major component part" means a rear clip, cowl, frame or inner struc-
 2    ture  forward  of  the cowl, body, cab, front end assembly, front clip or such
 3    other part which is critical to the safety of the vehicle.
 4        (2)  "Manifest" means a form used for identifying the  quantity,  composi-
 5    tion,  origin,  routing, waste or material identification code and destination
 6    of hazardous material or hazardous waste  during  any  transportation  within,
 7    through, or to any destination in this state.
 8        (3)  "Manufactured home." (See section 39-4105, Idaho Code)
 9        (4)  "Manufacturer"  means  every  person  engaged in the business of con-
10    structing or assembling vehicles of a type required to  be  registered  at  an
11    established  place  of  business in this state. The term, for purposes of sec-
12    tions 49-1613 through 49-1615, 49-1617, 49-1622 and 49-1623, Idaho Code, shall
13    include a distributor and other factory representatives.
14        (5)  "Manufacturer's year designation" means the model year designated  by
15    the  vehicle  manufacturer, and not the year in which the vehicle is, in fact,
16    manufactured.
17        (6)  "Maximum gross weight" means the scale weight of a vehicle,  equipped
18    for  operation,  to  which  shall  be  added the maximum load to be carried as
19    declared by the owner in making application for registration. When  a  vehicle
20    against which a registration  or use  fee is assessed is a combina-
21    tion  of  vehicles, the term "maximum gross weight" means the combined maximum
22    gross weights of all vehicles in the combination.
23        (7)  "Metal tire." (See "Tires," section 49-121, Idaho Code)
24        (8)  "Moped" means a limited-speed motor-driven cycle which is not capable
25    of propelling the vehicle at a speed in excess of thirty (30) miles  per  hour
26    on  level  ground, whether two (2) or three (3) wheels are in contact with the
27    ground during operation. If an internal combustion engine is  used,  the  dis-
28    placement  shall  not  exceed fifty (50) cubic centimeters and the moped shall
29    have a power drive system that functions  directly  or  automatically  without
30    clutching or shifting by the operator after the drive system is engaged.
31        (9)  "Motorcycle"  means  every  motor vehicle having a seat or saddle for
32    the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three (3)  wheels
33    in contact with the ground, but excluding a tractor and moped.
34        (10) "Motor  home"  means  a  vehicular unit designed to provide temporary
35    living quarters, built into an integral part  or  permanently  attached  to  a
36    self-propelled  motor  vehicle  chassis.  The vehicle must contain permanently
37    installed independent life support systems which meet  the  American  National
38    Standards Institute (ANSI) A119.7 Standard for Recreational Vehicles, and pro-
39    vide at least four (4) of the following facilities: cooking, refrigeration  or
40    ice  box,  self-contained  toilet,  heating and/or air conditioning, a potable
41    water supply system, including a faucet and sink, separate 110-125 volt  elec-
42    trical  power supply and/or LP-gas supply.
43        (11) "Motorized  wheelchair"  means  a  motor  vehicle with a speed not in
44    excess of eight (8) miles per hour, designed for and  used  by  a  handicapped
45    person.
46        (12) "Motor number." (See "Identifying number " , " 
47    section 49-110, Idaho Code)
48        (13) "Motor  vehicle."  (See "Vehicle " , "  section
49    49-123, Idaho Code)
50        (14) "Motor vehicle liability policy" means an owner's or operator's  pol-
51    icy  of  liability  insurance,  certified  as  provided  in section 49-1210 or
52    49-1211, Idaho Code, as proof of financial responsibility, and issued,  except
53    as  otherwise provided in section 49-1211, Idaho Code, by an insurance carrier
54    duly authorized to transact business in this state, to or for the  benefit  of
55    the person named therein as insured.


                                          4

 1        (15) "Motor  vehicle  record"  means  any  record that pertains to a motor
 2    vehicle registration, motor vehicle title or identification documents or other
 3    similar credentials issued by the department or other state or local agency.

 4        SECTION 3.  That Section 49-122, Idaho Code, be, and the  same  is  hereby
 5    amended to read as follows:

 6        49-122.  DEFINITIONS -- U.
 7        (1)  "Unauthorized  vehicle" means any vehicle parked or otherwise left on
 8    private property without the consent of the person owning or controlling  that
 9    property.
10        (2)  "United  States"  means  the  fifty  (50)  states and the District of
11    Columbia.
12        (3)  "Unladen weight." (See "Light weight  "  ,  "  
13    section 49-113, Idaho Code)
14        (4)  "Unregistered  vehicle"  means a vehicle without current registration
15    on file with the department or with the appropriate agency of  another  state,
16    unless exempt from registration.
17        (5)  "Unusual noise." (See "Excessive " , "  section
18    49-106, Idaho Code)
19        (6)  "Urban district." (See "District " , "  section
20    49-105, Idaho Code)
21        (7)    "Use  fee"  means  the fee as imposed in section 49-434, Idaho
22    Code, for vehicles exceeding sixty thousand (60,000) pounds gross weight,  and
23    calculated  based upon the number of miles traveled in Idaho times the use fee
24    rate per mile of travel as established by law for the applicable maximum gross
25    weight of the vehicle or combination of vehicles as registered. 
26          (8)    "Utility  trailer"  means  a  trailer  or  semitrailer
27    designed primarily to be drawn behind a passenger  car  or  pickup  truck  for
28    domestic  and  utility  purposes. Utility or domestic use shall include a farm
29    trailer while being used to haul agricultural products or livestock from  farm
30    to storage, market or processing plant, or returning therefrom.

31        SECTION  4.  That  Section 49-201A, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
32    repealed.

33        SECTION 5.  That Section 49-202, Idaho Code, be, and the  same  is  hereby
34    amended to read as follows:

35        49-202.  DUTIES  OF  DEPARTMENT. (1) All registration and driver's license
36    records in the office of the department shall be public records  and  open  to
37    inspection  by  the  public  during  normal  business  hours, except for those
38    records declared by law to be for the confidential use of the  department,  or
39    those records containing personal information subject to  restrictions or con-
40    ditions  regarding  disclosure. If the department has contracted for a service
41    to be provided by another entity, an additional fee shall be charged  by  that
42    contractor whether the service is rendered during normal business hours, other
43    than normal business hours or on weekends.
44        (2)  In  addition  to  other  fees  required by law to be collected by the
45    department, the department shall collect the following:
46        (a)  For certifying a  copy  of  any  record  pertaining  to  any  vehicle
47        license, any certificate of title, or any driver's license ......... $8.00
48        (b)  For issuing every Idaho certificate of title .................. $8.00
49        (c)  For  furnishing  a  duplicate  copy of any Idaho certificate of title
50        .................................................................... $8.00


                                          5

 1        (d)  For issuance or transfer of every certificate of title on  a  new  or
 2        used vehicle or other titled vehicle in an expedited manner (rush titles),
 3        in addition to any other fee required by this section ............. $15.00
 4        (e)  For furnishing a replacement of any receipt of registration ... $3.00
 5        (f)  For  answering  inquiries  as  to  registration or ownership of motor
 6        vehicles or driver's license records, per vehicle  registration,  accident
 7        report records, title or per driver's license record ............... $4.00
 8        Additional contractor fee, not to exceed ........................... $4.00
 9        (g)  For services in furnishing copies of files of vehicle or other regis-
10        trations, vehicle titles, or driver's licenses per hour ........... $10.00
11        (h)  Placing  "stop"  cards  in  vehicle registration or title files, each
12        ................................................................... $12.00
13        (i)  For issuance of an assigned  or  replacement  vehicle  identification
14        number (VIN) .......................................................$10.00
15        (j)  For  a  vehicle  identification  number (VIN) inspection whether con-
16        ducted by a city or county peace officer or any  other  peace  officer  or
17        designated agent of the state of Idaho, per inspection ............. $3.00
18        (k)  For all replacement registration stickers, each ............... $1.00
19        (l)  For  issuing  letters  of  temporary vehicle clearance to Idaho based
20        motor carriers .................................................... $10.00
21        (m)  For all sample license plates, each .......................... $12.00
22        (n)  For filing release of liability statements .................... $2.00
23        (3)  The fees required in this section shall not apply when the service is
24    furnished to any federal, state, county or city peace officer  when such  ser-
25    vice is required in the performance of their duties as peace officers.
26        (4)  The  department  may  enter into agreements with private companies or
27    public entities to provide the services for which a fee is collected  in  sub-
28    section  (2)(f) of this section. Such private contractor shall collect the fee
29    prescribed and remit the fee to the department. The contractor shall also col-
30    lect and retain the additional fee charged for his services.
31        (5)  The department shall pay three dollars ($3.00) of the  fee  collected
32    by  a  county assessor or other agent of the department as provided in subsec-
33    tion (2)(a) through (f) of this section, to the county assessor of the  county
34    or  agent  collecting such fee, which shall be deposited with the county trea-
35    surer and credited to the county current expense fund. The  remainder  of  the
36    fees  collected as provided in that subsection shall be paid by the department
37    to the state treasurer and placed in the state highway account. The  fee  col-
38    lected  under  subsection (2)(j) of this section for a VIN inspection shall be
39    placed in the city general fund if conducted by a city peace officer,  in  the
40    county  current expense fund if conducted by a  county peace officer, shall be
41    retained by the special agent authorized to perform the inspection, or paid to
42    the state treasurer and placed to the credit of the department of law enforce-
43    ment if conducted by the Idaho state police division or in the  state  highway
44    account if conducted by the department.
45        (6)  The department as often as practicable may provide to law enforcement
46    agencies  the record of suspensions and revocations of driver licenses via the
47    Idaho law enforcement telecommunications system (ILETS).
48        (7)  The department shall provide the forms prescribed  in  chapter  5  of
49    this  title, shall receive and file in its office in Boise, Idaho, all instru-
50    ments required in chapter 5 of this title to be  filed  with  the  department,
51    shall prescribe a uniform method of numbering certificates of title, and main-
52    tain  in  the  department  indices for such certificates of title. All indices
53    shall be by motor or identification number and alphabetical  by  name  of  the
54    owner.
55        (8)  The department shall file each registration received under a distinc-


                                          6

 1    tive registration number assigned to the vehicle and to the owner thereof.
 2        (9)  The  department  shall not renew a driver's license or identification
 3    card when fees required by law have not been  paid  or  where  fees  for  past
 4    periods  are  due, owing and unpaid including nonsufficient fund checks, until
 5    those fees have been paid.
 6        (10) The department shall not grant the registration of a vehicle when:
 7        (a)  The applicant is not entitled to registration under the provisions of
 8        this title; or
 9        (b)  The applicant has neglected or refused to furnish the department with
10        the information required in the appropriate form or reasonable  additional
11        information required by the department , or has failed to comply with
12        the provisions of section 49-436, Idaho Code, in past registration periods
13        ; or
14        (c)  The  fees  required by law have not been paid, or where fees for past
15        registration periods are due, owing  and  unpaid  including  nonsufficient
16        fund checks.
17        (11) The department or its authorized agents have the authority to request
18    any person, to submit to medical, vision, highway, or written examinations, to
19    protect  the  safety  of  the  public upon the highways. The department or its
20    authorized agents may exercise such authority based upon  evidence  which  may
21    include, but is not limited to, observations made.
22        (12) The department shall revoke the registration of any vehicle:
23        (a)  Which  the  department shall determine is unsafe or unfit to be oper-
24        ated or is not equipped as required by law;
25        (b)  Whenever the person to whom the  registration  card  or  registration
26        plate  has been issued shall make or permit to be made any unlawful use of
27        the same or permit their use by a person not entitled thereto;
28        (c)  For any violation of vehicle registration requirements by  the  owner
29        or operator in the current or past registration periods;
30        (d)  Whenever  a  motor  carrier as defined in section 61-801, Idaho Code,
31        has his permit revoked for any cause except at the request of the   permit
32        holder,  as  provided in section 61-808, Idaho Code, or whenever an inter-
33        state carrier has his registration revoked by reason of  a  revocation  of
34        his interstate commerce commission operating authority;
35        (e)    For  nonpayment by the owner or operator of the vehicle of use
36        fees computed under sections 49-434 and 49-435, Idaho Code;
37     
38         (f)   For  failure of the owner or operator to  file  the
39        reports  required  or  nonpayment of fees assessed against the owner
40        by the department pursuant  to  audit  under  the  provisions  of  section
41        49-43 6  9 , Idaho Code;
42        (  g  f )  Identified by any city or county adminis-
43        tering a program established by ordinance for the inspection and readjust-
44        ment of motor vehicles (which program is part of an approved state  imple-
45        mentation  plan adopted by both the state and federal governments under 42
46        USC section 7410) as having failed to comply with an  ordinance  requiring
47        motor vehicle emission inspection and readjustment; provided that no vehi-
48        cle  shall  be identified to the department under this subsection ( g
49         f ) unless (i) the  city  or  county  certifies  to  the
50        department  that  the owner of the motor vehicle has been given notice and
51        had the opportunity for a hearing concerning compliance with the ordinance
52        and has exhausted all remedies and appeals from any determination made  at
53        such  hearing;  and  (ii) the city or county reimburses the department for
54        all direct costs associated with the registration revocation procedure.
55        (13) The department shall not reregister or permit a vehicle to operate on


                                          7

 1    a special trip permit until all fees, penalties and interest have been paid.
 2        (14) The department shall institute educational programs,  demonstrations,
 3    exhibits and displays.
 4        (15) The department shall cancel a driver's license or identification card
 5    when  fees required by law have not been paid or where fees are due, owing and
 6    unpaid including  nonsufficient     insufficient    fund
 7    checks, until those fees have been paid.
 8        (16) The  department  shall examine persons and vehicles by written, oral,
 9    vision and skills tests without compulsion except as provided by law.
10        (17) The department shall employ expert and special help as needed in  the
11    department.
12        (18) The  department  shall  compile  accident  statistics and disseminate
13    information relating to those statistics.
14        (19) The department shall cooperate with the United States in the elimina-
15    tion of road hazards, whether of a physical, visual or mental character.
16        (20) The department shall place and maintain traffic-control devices, con-
17    forming to the board's manual and specifications, upon all state  highways  as
18    it  shall  deem  necessary to indicate and to carry out the provisions of this
19    title or to regulate, warn, or guide traffic. No local authority  shall  place
20    or maintain any traffic-control device upon any highway under the jurisdiction
21    of  the  department  except by the latter's  permission, except where the duly
22    elected officials of an incorporated city have established speed limits  lower
23    than  those  set by the department on the portion of state highways, excluding
24    controlled - access and interstate highways, that pass through res-
25    idential, urban or business districts within the jurisdiction of the  incorpo-
26    rated   city.   The  placement  and  maintenance  of  such  a  traffic  -
27    control device by a local authority  shall  be  made  according  to  the
28    board's  manual  and  specifications  for  a  uniform system of traffic -
29    control devices.
30        (21) The department may conduct an investigation of any  bridge  or  other
31    elevated structure constituting a part of a highway, and if it shall find that
32    the  structure  cannot with safety to itself withstand vehicles traveling at a
33    speed otherwise permissible under this title, shall determine and declare  the
34    maximum  speed of vehicles which the structure can safely withstand, and shall
35    cause or permit suitable signs stating the maximum speed  to  be  erected  and
36    maintained before each end of the structure.
37        (22) Whenever  the department shall determine on the basis of an engineer-
38    ing and traffic investigation that slow speeds on any highway or  part  of   a
39    highway  impede  the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, the department
40    may determine and declare a minimum speed limit below which  no  person  shall
41    drive a vehicle except when necessary for safe operation or in compliance with
42    law,  and  that limit shall be effective when posted upon appropriate fixed or
43    variable signs, except in cases where the duly elected officials of an  incor-
44    porated  city  have  established  speed  limits  lower   than those set by the
45    department  on  portions  of  state  highways,  excluding  controlled   -
46    access  and interstate highways, that pass through residential, urban or
47    business districts within the jurisdiction of the incorporated city.
48        (23) The department shall regulate  or  prohibit  the  use  of  any  
49    controlledaccess   controlled-access  highway by any class or
50    kind  of  traffic  which  is found to be incompatible with the normal and safe
51    movement of traffic.
52        (24) The department shall erect and maintain  traffic-control  devices  on
53    controlled-access highways on which any prohibitions are applicable.
54        (25) Wherever  a highway crosses one  (1)  or more railroads at
55    grade, the department or local authorities within their  respective  jurisdic-


                                          8

 1    tions  shall  place  and  maintain  stop  signs,  directing  vehicular traffic
 2    approaching the crossing to come to a full stop prior to entering the crossing
 3    at all railroad crossings where electric or mechanical warning signals do  not
 4    exist.  Placement  of  these  stop signs shall be mandatory except when in the
 5    determination of public highway agencies the existence  of  stop  signs  at  a
 6    given crossing would constitute a greater hazard than their absence based on a
 7    recognized engineering study.
 8        Nothing  in this subsection shall be construed as granting immunity to any
 9    railroad company as to liability, if any, for an accident which might occur at
10    a crossing where stop signs are erected and in place, but liability,  if  any,
11    shall  be determined as provided by law. Liability on the part of governmental
12    authorities on account of absence of any stop sign  at  a  crossing  shall  be
13    determined as provided by law.
14        (26) The  department  and  local  authorities  are authorized to determine
15    those portions of any highway under their respective jurisdictions where over-
16    taking and passing or driving on the left side of the roadway would  be  espe-
17    cially hazardous and may by appropriate signs or markings on the roadway indi-
18    cate  the  beginning and end of those  zones and when signs or markings are in
19    place and clearly visible to an ordinarily observant  person, every driver  of
20    a vehicle shall obey those directions.
21        (27) The  department  and  local authorities in their respective jurisdic-
22    tions may in their discretion issue special permits authorizing the  operation
23    upon a highway of traction engines or  tractors  having  movable  tracks  with
24    transverse corrugations upon the periphery of the movable tracks or farm trac-
25    tors  or  other  farm  machinery,  the operation of which upon a highway would
26    otherwise be prohibited under this title or title 40, Idaho Code.
27        (28) The department and local highway authorities within their  respective
28    jurisdictions may place official traffic-control devices prohibiting, limiting
29    or  restricting  the  stopping, standing or parking of vehicles on any highway
30    where such stopping, standing or parking is dangerous to those using the high-
31    way or where the stopping, standing or parking of vehicles  unduly  interferes
32    with the free movement of traffic thereon.
33        (29) On  any  informational  material printed after July 1, 1995, by or at
34    the order of the department and distributed to counties, school  districts  or
35    individuals  for  the  purpose  of  assisting  a person to successfully pass a
36    driver's license test, the department shall include material about the state's
37    open range law and responsibilities, liabilities and  obligations  of  drivers
38    driving in the open range.

39        SECTION  6.  That  Section  49-434, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
40    amended to read as follows:

41        49-434.  OPERATING FEES. (1) There shall be paid on all  commercial  vehi-
42    cles,  noncommercial vehicles, and on all farm vehicles having a maximum gross
43    weight not in excess of sixty thousand (60,000) pounds, an annual registration
44    fee in accordance with the following schedule.
45        Maximum Gross Weight                    Annual Registration Fee
46              (Pounds)                      Noncommercial and    Commercial
47                                              Farm Vehicles       Vehicles
48         8,001-16,000 inc. .....................$  31.08           $ 30.60
49        16,001-26,000 inc. .....................   61.08            143.40
50        26,001-30,000 inc. .....................   91.68            223.80
51        30,001-40,000 inc. .....................  130.08            291.60
52        40,001-50,000 inc. .....................  188.28            360.00
53        50,001-60,000 inc. .....................  311.88            515.40


                                          9

 1        (2)  There shall be paid on all commercial vehicles, irrespective of  body
 2    type,  and  on  all  farm  vehicles having a maximum gross weight in excess of
 3    sixty thousand (60,000) pounds, an annual registration fee in the amount 
 4    of one hundred twenty dollars ($120)   prescribed by subsection (8)
 5    or (9) of this section, as applicable .
 6        (3)  In addition, the annual registration fee for trailers shall be:
 7        (a)  Trailer or semitrailer in a combination of vehicles ...........$15.00
 8        (b)  Rental utility trailer with a gross weight of  two  thousand  (2,000)
 9        pounds or less ......................................................$8.00
10        (c)  Rental  utility trailer with a gross weight over two thousand (2,000)
11        pounds .............................................................$15.00
12        (4)  As an option to the trailer and semitrailer annual registration,  the
13    department may provide extended registration.
14        (a)  For  trailers  and  semitrailers,  the optional extended-registration
15        period shall not extend beyond seven (7) years.
16        (b)  The fee shall be fifteen dollars ($15.00) for each year.
17        (c)  The license plate originally issued shall remain on  the  trailer  or
18        semitrailer until the registration expires.
19        (d)  The  registration document shall be the official record of the status
20        of the extended registration.  No  pressure-sensitive  validation  sticker
21        shall be required.
22        (e)  For  rental  utility trailers, the optional registration period shall
23        not extend beyond five (5) years. The fee shall be as specified in subsec-
24        tion (3)(b) or (c) of this section. A pressure-sensitive sticker shall  be
25        used to validate the license plate. The license plate shall become void if
26        the owner's interest in the rental utility trailer changes during the five
27        (5) year period. If the owner fails to enter the rental utility trailer on
28        the annual renewal application during the five (5) year period, the regis-
29        tration  record shall  be purged. Any unrenewed plate shall be returned to
30        the department if it is not entered on the renewal application.
31        (5)  A fleet registration option is available to  owners  who  have  
32    twentyfive      twenty-five   (25) or more commercial or farm
33    vehicles or any combination thereof. Such owners may  register  all  of  their
34    company  vehicles  with  the  department  in lieu of registering with a county
35    assessor. To qualify the fleet must be owned and operated  under  the  unified
36    control  of  one  (1)  person  and the vehicles must be physically garaged and
37    maintained in two (2) or more counties. Fleet registration shall  not  include
38    fleets  of rental vehicles. The department shall provide a registration appli-
39    cation to the owner and the owner  shall  provide  all  information  that  the
40    department  determines  is  necessary.  The  department shall devise a special
41    license plate numbering system for fleet-registered vehicles as an alternative
42    to county license plates. The fleet registration application  and  all  subse-
43    quent registration renewals shall include the physical address where a vehicle
44    is  principally used, garaged and maintained. The fleet owner shall report the
45    physical address to the department upon initial registration, on each renewal,
46    and at any time a vehicle registered under this option is  permanently  trans-
47    ferred to another location.
48        (6)  If the ownership of a vehicle changes during the registration period,
49    the  original  owner  may transfer the plate to another vehicle. The remaining
50    fee shall be credited against the cost of the  new  registration.  No  refunds
51    shall  be  given  for any unexpired portion of the vehicle registration fee if
52    the plate is not transferred by the owner to another vehicle. A license  plate
53    shall  not  be  transferred  to  another owner when the ownership of a vehicle
54    changes. The owner shall obtain a replacement  plate,  validation  sticker  if
55    required,  and  a  registration  document  when  a plate is lost, destroyed or


                                          10

 1    becomes illegible.
 2        (7)  An administrative fee of four  dollars  ($4.00)  shall  be  paid  and
 3    deposited  to  the state highway account on all registrations completed by the
 4    department under this section.
 5        (8)   In addition to the registration and license  fees  provided  by
 6    subsections  (1)  and (2) of this section, t  T here shall be
 7    paid on all commercial vehicles having a maximum gross  weight  in  excess  of
 8    sixty thousand (60,000) pounds,  a  use    registration 
 9    fee  based   upon the   registered   maximum  gross weight  in
10    accordance with the following schedule. The use fees shall  be  calculated  by
11    multiplying  the  mills  per mile, determined from the mills per mile schedule
12    table, times the reported mileage for the vehicle, subject to  the  provisions
13    of  this  section     of a vehicle as declared by the owner and the
14    total number of miles driven on public roads and highways in Idaho and in  all
15    other  jurisdictions.  The appropriate registration fee shall be determined as
16    follows:
17     
18         (a)  If the owner is registering under the  international  registra-
19        tion plan (IRP), the appropriate mileage column shall be determined by the
20        total miles a fleet of vehicles was driven on public roads and highways in
21        Idaho  and in all other jurisdictions in the preceding year, as defined in
22        section 49-117, Idaho Code, and by the maximum gross  weight  of  vehicles
23        within  a  fleet  while transporting general commodities and such vehicles
24        shall be registered under this subsection (8).
25     
26         (b)  If the owner is not registering under the international  regis-
27        tration  plan,  the  appropriate mileage column shall be determined by the
28        total miles each of the vehicles to be registered were  driven  on  public
29        roads  and highways in Idaho and in all other jurisdictions in the preced-
30        ing year and by the maximum gross weight of each vehicle while  transport-
31        ing  general  commodities and such vehicles shall be registered under this
32        subsection (8) .
33      Maximum Gross
34    Weight of Vehicle    Mills per Mile  Total Miles Driven 
35        (Pounds)
36                                            0-7,5007,501-40,000  Over 40,000 
37      60,001-62,000           30.05  $  550 $1,100     $2,740 
38      62,001-64,000           31.35     560  1,130      2,820 
39      64,001-66,000           32.60     580  1,160      2,910 
40      66,001-68,000           33.90     600  1,200      3,000 
41      68,001-70,000           35.15     620  1,240      3,090 
42      70,001-72,000           36.40     640  1,280      3,190 
43      72,001-74,000           38.55     660  1,320      3,290 
44      74,001-76,000           40.65     680  1,360      3,390 
45      76,001-78,000           42.75     700  1,400      3,490 
46      78,001-80,000           44.90     720  1,440      3,600 
47      80,001-82,000           47.00     740  1,480      3,710 
48      82,001-84,000           49.10     760  1,530      3,820 
49      84,001-86,000           51.20     790  1,570      3,930 
50      86,001-88,000           53.30     810  1,620      4,050 
51      88,001-90,000           55.40     830  1,670     4,170 
52      90,001-92,000           57.50     860  1,720      4,300 
53      92,001-94,000           59.60     890  1,770      4,430 
54      94,001-96,000           61.70     910  1,820      4,560 
55      96,001-98,000           63.80     940  1,880      4,700 


                                          11

 1      Maximum Gross
 2    Weight of Vehicle    Mills per Mile  Total Miles Driven 
 3        (Pounds)
 4     98,001-100,000           65.90     970  1,940      4,840 
 5    100,001-102,000           68.00   1,000  2,000      4,990 
 6    102,001-104,000           70.10   1,030  2,060      5,140 
 7    104,001- 106,000  72.20   1,060  2,120      5,290 
 8             105,500 
 9     Over 105,500                      1,090        2,180      5,450 
10     For each additional two thousand (2,000) pounds or fraction  thereof  in
11    excess  of  one  hundred six thousand (106,000) pounds add 2.1 mills per mile.
12    
13        (9)   In addition to the registration and license fees of  this  sec-
14    tion, t  T here shall be paid on all  vehicles primarily
15    used  as    farm  vehicles, and any commercial vehicle  exclusively
16      primarily  engaged in the transportation of logs, pulp wood
17     or boiler fuel , stull, poles, piling,  rough  lumber,  ores,  ore
18    concentrates,  sand  and  gravel  aggregates in bulk  and other materials
19    incidental to construction , livestock and vehicles used  for  the  sole
20    purpose of transporting milk from the farm to processing plant, having a maxi-
21    mum  gross  weight  in  excess  of sixty thousand (60,000) pounds, a  use
22      registration  fee  in accordance  with  the  following
23    schedule.  The use fees shall be calculated by multiplying the mills per mile,
24    determined from the mills per mile schedule table, times the reported  mileage
25    for the vehicle, subject to the provisions of this section.   based
26    upon the gross weight of a vehicle as declared by the owner and the total num-
27    ber  of  miles  driven  on public roads and highways in Idaho and in all other
28    jurisdictions. The appropriate registration fee shall be  determined  as  fol-
29    lows: 
30          (a)  If  the owner is registering under the international registra-
31        tion plan (IRP), the appropriate mileage column shall be determined by the
32        total miles a fleet of vehicles was driven on public roads and highways in
33        Idaho and in all other jurisdictions in the preceding year, as defined  in
34        section  49-117,  Idaho  Code, and by the maximum gross weight of vehicles
35        within a fleet while transporting the commodities listed in  this  subsec-
36        tion and such vehicles shall be registered under this subsection (9).
37     
38          (b)  If the owner is not registering under the international regis-
39        tration plan, the appropriate mileage column shall be  determined  by  the
40        total  miles  each  of the vehicles to be registered were driven on public
41        roads and highways in Idaho and in all other jurisdictions in the  preced-
42        ing  year and by the maximum gross weight of each vehicle while transport-
43        ing the commodities listed in this subsection and such vehicles  shall  be
44        registered under this subsection (9). 

45      Maximum Gross
46    Weight of Vehicle    Mills per Mile  Total Miles Driven 
47        (Pounds)
48                                            0-7,5007,501-40,000  Over 40,000 
49      60,001-62,000           22.45  $170    $440      $1,370 
50      62,001-64,000           22.45     170   450       1,410 
51      64,001-66,000           22.45     170   460       1,460 
52      66,001-68,000           22.45     180   480       1,500 
53      68,001-70,000           22.45     190   500       1,550 
54      70,001-72,000           22.45     190   510       1,600 


                                          12

 1      Maximum Gross
 2    Weight of Vehicle    Mills per Mile  Total Miles Driven 
 3        (Pounds)
 4      72,001-74,000           22.45     200   530       1,650 
 5      74,001-76,000           22.45     200   540       1,700 
 6      76,001-78,000           22.45     210   560       1,750 
 7      78,001-80,000           22.45     220   580       1,800 
 8      80,001-82,000           24.55     220   590       1,860 
 9      82,001-84,000           26.65     230   610       1,910 
10      84,001-86,000           28.75     240   630       1,970 
11      86,001-88,000           30.85     240   650       2,030 
12      88,001-90,000           32.95     250   670       2,090 
13      90,001-92,000           35.05     260   690       2,150 
14      92,001-94,000           37.15     270   710       2,220 
15      94,001-96,000           39.25     270   730       2,280 
16      96,001-98,000           41.35     280   750       2,350 
17     98,001-100,000           43.45     290   780       2,420 
18    100,001-102,000           45.55    300    800       2,500 
19    102,001-104,000           47.65    310    820       2,570 
20    104,001- 106,000  49.75    320    850       2,650 
21             105,500 
22     Over 105,500                        330         870       2,730 
23      For  each additional two thousand (2,000) pounds or fraction thereof in
24    excess of one hundred six thousand (106,000) pounds add 2.1  mills  per  mile.
25    
26        (10) If  any  vehicle, or combinations of vehicles move on the highways of
27    the state, and the vehicle or combination exceeds its registered maximum gross
28    weight there shall be paid for that vehicle,  the    registration  
29    fees provided for in either subsection (8) or (9) of this section, as applica-
30    ble, for the actual gross weight of the vehicle or combination of vehicles for
31    the miles traveled at the heavier weight.
32          (a)  If  any  vehicle  or combination of vehicles registered in the
33        "0-7,500" mile column or in the "7,501-40,000"  mile  column  exceeds  the
34        maximum  mileage use for that column, there shall be paid for that vehicle
35        or vehicles the registration fees provided in subsection  (8)  or  (9)  of
36        this section as applicable. 
37         (b)  If any vehicle or combination of vehicles registered under sub-
38        section (9) of this section is not eligible for registration under subsec-
39        tion (9), there shall be paid for that vehicle the fees provided for under
40        subsection (8) of this section. 
41          (c)  In  addition  to  requiring the payment of any additional fees
42        under this section when a vehicle has not  been  properly  registered  but
43        should  be registered under a higher fee schedule, the department may col-
44        lect a fifteen dollar ($15.00) administrative fee per vehicle as specified
45        in this section or in section 49-435, Idaho Code, as applicable, for proc-
46        essing the higher registration.
47     
48         (d)  The department may require the owner of any vehicle  registered
49        under  any  fee  schedule  other  than the highest fee schedule to provide
50        proof of the number of miles driven annually or proof of commodities  pri-
51        marily  transported,  as  applicable.  The board shall promulgate rules to
52        specify acceptable  mileage  recordkeeping  and  commodity  transportation
53        requirements. 
54        (11) If  any  vehicle or combinations of vehicles haul nonreducible loads,
55    as authorized under the provisions of section 49-1004, Idaho Code,  and  weigh


                                          13

 1    less  than  the  starting weights per axle configuration listed in column 1 of
 2    subsection (2), section 49-1004, Idaho Code, then  and  in  that  event  there
 3    shall be paid for that vehicle, in addition to the other fees required in this
 4    section, an additional  use  fee of 2.1 mills per mile for each two
 5    thousand  (2,000)  pounds  or  fraction thereof of the maximum gross weight in
 6    excess of those set forth in section 49-1001, Idaho Code.
 7        (12)  Any owner operating  vehicle  combinations  may  apply  to  the
 8    department  for  authority  to  report multiple weights and pay use fees based
 9    upon the maximum gross weight of each configuration in the  combination  being
10    operated.  The  owner shall declare a maximum gross weight for each configura-
11    tion being operated but not more than three (3) maximum gross  weights  for  a
12    vehicle  combination  may  be  declared.  Any  owner who receives authority to
13    report and pay use fees at multiple maximum gross weights shall  register  the
14    motor  vehicle  in  a  combination  at the highest maximum gross weight of the
15    vehicle. Any owner who reports vehicle combinations at  multiple  weights  and
16    fails  to  maintain  records  and  furnish said records to the department upon
17    request which show the configuration of the combination of  vehicles  and  the
18    trailer  and  unit  number for all miles and trip segments traveled shall have
19    all miles assessed at the highest maximum gross weight of the  combination  of
20    vehicles    The board may by rule prescribe a seasonal registration
21    fee for registration of vehicles used intermittently during a year.  The  sea-
22    sonal  registration  may be provided for by issuance of permits for the months
23    of operation in lieu of a license plate and registration certificate. The reg-
24    istration may be issued for up to three (3) months of the  year  but  not  the
25    entire  calendar  registration year. The seasonal registration fee shall be in
26    the same proportion to the annual registration fee as the  proportion  of  the
27    number of months of seasonal registration bears to twelve (12) months, rounded
28    up  to the nearest dollar, plus an administrative fee of ten dollars ($10.00).
29    Vehicles may not be registered for more than two (2) seasonal registrations in
30    one (1) calendar year as allowed by rule of the board.  Seasonal  registration
31    shall not apply to vehicles registered under section 49-435, Idaho Code.
32        The  board may promulgate rules to provide for quarterly payment of regis-
33    tration fees for owners whose annual registration fees exceed  three  thousand
34    dollars  ($3,000)  for  a  registration year. The rules shall include adequate
35    controls to ensure the timely collection of quarterly  registration  fee  pay-
36    ments .
37        (13) An  applicant  for registration of a commercial vehicle, a noncommer-
38    cial vehicle or a farm vehicle shall set forth the maximum gross weight of the
39    vehicle or combination of vehicles and the applicant shall pay any annual reg-
40    istration fees and any  annual  license  fees  on  trailers  and  semitrailers
41    required at the time he makes application for registration subject to the pro-
42    visions  of  subsections (1), (2), (3) and (4) of this section. No part of the
43    registration or license fees shall be subject to refund. The  use  
44      registration  fee payment required shall be computed according to
45    the schedule in either subsection (8) or (9) of  this  section  on    the
46        all   mileage operated .   over the high-
47    ways of the state of Idaho and the owner of any vehicle against  which  a  use
48    fee is assessed, shall at the time of making his next quarterly report pay the
49    use  fee,  if any, for the three (3) calendar months immediately prior. 
50    In determining the mileage ,   subject to the use  fee,  there
51    shall  be  deducted      registrants  may  deduct   the miles
52    traveled on roadways maintained with private funds by agreement with the  pub-
53    lic  agency  or  agencies having jurisdiction over them. In no event shall the
54    total money credited to the owner for the mileage exceed the  actual  cost  of
55    maintenance  expended  by  him.   The department may require proof of any


                                          14

 1    mileage claimed not to be miles traveled on roadways that are not public high-
 2    ways and may demand odometer readings or other evidence specified by  rule  of
 3    the department. 
 4          (14) Any  owner  who operates or intends to operate non-Idaho based
 5    vehicles in Idaho that are subject to the use fee required  under  the  provi-
 6    sions  of  this section shall apply for a use fee account before operating the
 7    vehicles in Idaho. In lieu of establishing a use fee  account  the  owner  may
 8    purchase a trip permit under the provisions of section 49-432 or 49-433, Idaho
 9    Code,  as applicable. The department shall develop rules to administer the use
10    fee account. Any owner who has not established a use fee account  or  has  not
11    purchased  a  trip  permit prior to operating in Idaho shall have committed an
12    infraction. 

13        SECTION 7.  That Section 49-435, Idaho Code, be, and the  same  is  hereby
14    amended to read as follows:

15        49-435.  PROPORTIONAL  REGISTRATION  OF COMMERCIAL VEHICLES. (1) Any owner
16    engaged in operating one or more fleets may, in lieu of the registration  fees
17    imposed  by  section  49-434, Idaho Code, register each fleet for operation in
18    this state by filing an application with the department  which  shall  contain
19    the following information and such other information pertinent to vehicle reg-
20    istration as the department may require:
21        (a)  Total  fleet  miles. This shall be the total number of miles operated
22        in all jurisdictions during the preceding year by the motor vehicles in  a
23        fleet during the year.
24        (b)  In-state  miles.  This shall be the total number of miles operated in
25        this state during the preceding year by motor vehicles in the fleets  dur-
26        ing the year.
27        (c)  A  description  and identification of each vehicle of the fleet which
28        is to be operated in this state during the  registration  year  for  which
29        proportional  fleet  registration  is requested, and, as determined by the
30        department, the vehicle unit number of each fleet vehicle as  assigned  by
31        the owner.
32        (2)  The  application  for each fleet shall, at the time and in the manner
33    required by the department, be supported by a fee payment computed as follows:
34        (a)  Divide in-state miles by total fleet miles.
35        (b)  Determine the total amount necessary to register each and every vehi-
36        cle in the fleet for which registration is required based on  the  regular
37        annual fees prescribed by section 49-434, Idaho Code.
38        (c)  Multiply the sum obtained under subsection (2)(b) of this section, by
39        the quotient obtained under subsection (2)(a) of this section.
40        (3)  The  applicant  for proportional registration of any fleet, the motor
41    vehicles of which are operated by him in jurisdictions in addition to those in
42    which the applicant's fleet motor vehicles are operated, may state those motor
43    vehicles separately in his application and compute and pay the fees in  accor-
44    dance  with  the  separate  statement,  as to which "total miles" shall be the
45    total miles of highway operation determined from miles of power units, whether
46    prorated or not, operated in combination with prorated trailers in all  juris-
47    dictions during the preceding year.
48        (4)  The department shall register the vehicle so described and identified
49    and  may issue license plates or distinctive sticker or other suitable identi-
50    fication device for each vehicle listed in the application upon payment of the
51    fees required under subsection (2) and  an additional identification charge of
52    eight dollars ($8.00) per vehicle. The fees collected for the additional iden-
53    tification shall be deposited to the state  highway  account.  A  registration


                                          15

 1    card  shall be issued for each proportionally registered vehicle appropriately
 2    identifying it which shall be carried in or upon the vehicle identified at all
 3    times.
 4        (5)  Fleet vehicles so registered and identified shall  be  deemed  to  be
 5    fully licensed and registered in this state for any type of movement or opera-
 6    tion,  except  that,  in  those  instances  in  which  a grant of authority is
 7    required for intrastate movement or operation, no vehicle shall be operated in
 8    intrastate commerce in this state unless the owner has been granted intrastate
 9    authority or rights by the public utilities commission and unless the  vehicle
10    is being operated in conformity with such authority or rights.
11        (6)  The  right to the privilege and benefits of proportional registration
12    of fleet vehicles extended by this section, or  by  any  contract,  agreement,
13    arrangement  or  declaration  made  under  the  authority  provided in section
14    49-201, Idaho Code, shall be subject to the condition that each fleet  vehicle
15    proportionally  registered  shall also be proportionally or otherwise properly
16    registered in at least one other jurisdiction during the period for  which  it
17    is proportionally registered in this state.
18        (7)  Vehicles  acquired  by the owner after the commencement of the regis-
19    tration year and subsequently added to a proportionally registered fleet shall
20    be proportionally registered by applying the mileage percentage  used  in  the
21    original  application for the fleet for that registration period to the annual
22    registration fees due with respect to those vehicles for the remainder of  the
23    registration year.
24        (8)  If  any  vehicle  is withdrawn from a proportionally registered fleet
25    during the period for which it is registered, the owner of the fleet shall  so
26    notify the department on appropriate forms to be prescribed by the department.
27    The  department  may  require the owner to surrender proportional registration
28    cards and other identification devices which have been issued with respect  to
29    the vehicle as the department may deem advisable.
30        (9)  The  initial  application  for  proportional  registration of a fleet
31    shall state the mileage data with respect to the fleet for the preceding  year
32    in  this  and  other  jurisdictions.  If no operations were conducted with the
33    fleet during the preceding year, the application shall contain a  full  state-
34    ment  of  the  proposed method of operation and estimates of annual mileage in
35    this state and other jurisdictions. The department  shall  determine  the  in-
36    state  and  total  fleet miles to be used in computing the fee payment for the
37    fleet. The department may evaluate and adjust the estimate in the  application
38    if it is not satisfied as to the correctness submitted.
39        (10)  The department may refuse to accept proportional registration appli-
40    cations  for  the registration of vehicles based in another jurisdiction if it
41    shall find that the other jurisdiction does  not  grant  similar  registration
42    privileges to fleet vehicles based in or owned by residents of this state.
43        (11)  Any  owner  whose application for proportional registration has been
44    accepted shall preserve the records on which the application is  based  for  a
45    period  of  four  (4) years following the year of application. The owner shall
46    agree to make his records accessible to the department for audit as  to  accu-
47    racy  of  computations, payments and assessments of deficiencies or allowances
48    for credit. The department shall make  arrangements  with  agencies  of  other
49    jurisdictions  administering  motor vehicle registration laws for joint audits
50    of any owner or exchange of audit information. No assessment for deficiency or
51    claim for credit may be made for any period for which records  are  no  longer
52    required. Any sums found to be due and owing upon audit shall bear interest of
53    six    per  cent   percent  (6%) from the date when they
54    should have been paid until the date of actual payment. If the audit discloses
55    a deliberate and willful intent to evade the requirements of appropriate  pay-


                                          16

 1    ment  under  subsection  (2)(b)  of this section, an additional penalty of ten
 2     per cent   percent  (10%) shall also be assessed.
 3        (12)  No provision of this section relating to  proportional  registration
 4    of  fleet  vehicles  shall be construed as requiring any vehicle to be propor-
 5    tionally registered if it is otherwise registered in this state for the opera-
 6    tion in which it is engaged including regular registration or  temporary  trip
 7    permit.
 8          (13)  Proportionally  registered  vehicles  having  a maximum gross
 9    weight in excess of sixty thousand (60,000) pounds shall  pay  a  use  fee  in
10    accordance  with  section 49-434(4), (5), (6) and (7), Idaho Code, as applica-
11    ble. 

12        SECTION 8.  That Section 49-435A, Idaho Code, be, and the same  is  hereby
13    repealed.

14        SECTION  9.  That  Section  49-436, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
15    repealed.

16        SECTION 10.  That Section 49-438, Idaho Code, be, and the same  is  hereby
17    amended to read as follows:

18        49-438.  PENALTY  FOR  EXCEEDING  REGISTERED  GROSS WEIGHT. Any person who
19    shall operate, cause, permit, or suffer to be operated upon  any  highway  any
20    vehicle or combination of vehicles with a gross weight in excess of the regis-
21    tered gross weight of the vehicle specified in this title, without having paid
22    the  additional  registration    and use  fees required, shall have
23    committed an infraction.

24        SECTION 11.  That Section 49-439, Idaho Code, be, and the same  is  hereby
25    amended to read as follows:

26        49-439.  AUDIT  GUIDELINES.   (1)   The department may audit an
27    owner of motor vehicles subject to fees pursuant to this  chapter  once  every
28      five      four    ( 5  4 ) years
29    unless probable cause, as defined by department rule  s  and  regulations
30    ,  exists  that the owner has not paid fees due pursuant to this chapter
31    or has underreported or underpaid fees due pursuant to this chapter. An  owner
32    selected  for  audit  more  frequently  than  the  five   four
33     ( 5  4 )  years  may  have  the  audit  selection
34    reviewed  for  determination  of the absence of probable cause by the district
35    court of the county where the owner resides or  where  the  owner's  place  of
36    business  is  located  or  in  Ada County, at the discretion of the owner. The
37    department shall promulgate rules  and regulations   outlining  its
38    procedures  for audit selection, assignment and inventory.  Any owner of motor
39    vehicles  who has been subjected to an audit by the department  that  has  not
40    been in compliance with the provisions of this section or rules  and reg-
41    ulations    promulgated  pursuant  thereto  may recover attorney 's
42     fees and costs as may be determined by  a  court  or  may  receive  his
43    attorney  's    fees  and  costs if granted, all or in part, by the
44    director all in accordance with section 12-117, Idaho Code.
45         (2)  Every owner whose fees are computed  as  specified  in  section
46    49-434 or 49-435, Idaho Code, except those registering for over forty thousand
47    (40,000)  miles  driven  under  subsection  (8) of section 49-434, Idaho Code,
48    shall maintain records and permit the department to inspect the  records  upon
49    request to substantiate the following:


                                          17

 1     
 2          (a)  The  actual miles traveled if using a mileage schedule in sub-
 3        section (8) or (9) of section 49-434, Idaho Code, that is  less  than  the
 4        maximum mileage schedule.
 5     
 6          (b)  Identification of the commodities hauled if the owner is using
 7        the schedule in section 49-434(9), Idaho Code,  that  provides  a  reduced
 8        rate for specific commodities.
 9        (3)  When  the records are maintained outside this state by owners engaged
10    in transportation in this state, the owner shall reimburse the department  for
11    reasonable  expenses  incurred  by  the  department  in making audits of those
12    records and accounts at the out-of-state location. The owner or the department
13    may request that the records be presented at a place within the  state  desig-
14    nated  by the department. The records must be presented by a representative of
15    the owner who is familiar with the records and  who  is  responsible  for  the
16    safekeeping of the records.
17        (4)  Every  owner is required to maintain records for the current year and
18    the three (3) years immediately preceding. If an  assessment  has  been  made,
19    such  fees  may be collected by a proceeding in court within a period of three
20    (3) years after the assessment or a final order entered pursuant to subsection
21    (7) of this section.
22        (5)  An owner who fails to maintain records as required by the  provisions
23    of  this  section  may  have the registration of all vehicles registered under
24    section 49-434 or 49-435, Idaho Code, suspended until such  time  as  adequate
25    records  as  required  by  the provisions of this section are provided. In the
26    event that the owner does not produce records, the department may assess a fee
27    based on an estimate of the operation. The department shall  promulgate  rules
28    specifying  the methodology to be used to assess a fee based on an estimate of
29    the operation.
30        (6)  An owner who fails to pay any fees due is subject  to  suspension  of
31    vehicle  registrations  in  addition  to a penalty of ten percent (10%) of the
32    amount of fee determined to be due, plus interest of one percent (1%)  of  the
33    amount  of the fee due for each month or fraction thereof after the fee became
34    due. An order suspending the vehicle registration shall be mailed to the owner
35    by the department. The suspension shall be canceled  if  the  payment  due  is
36    made,  plus penalty and interest, along with a reinstatement fee of forty dol-
37    lars ($40.00) per carrier within fifteen (15) days after receipt of  the  sus-
38    pension  order.  The  department  may remit all or any part of the penalty and
39    interest if satisfied that the delay was excusable. The department shall  pro-
40    mulgate  rules  specifying when the penalty may be held in abeyance or be for-
41    given. The reinstatement fees shall be deposited to the state highway account.
42    The owner shall have the right to appeal the  suspension  by  petitioning  the
43    department  for a hearing within ten (10) days after receipt of the suspension
44    order. If the suspension is subsequently canceled pursuant to the appeal,  the
45    reinstatement fee shall not be due.
46        (7)  An  owner  may  contest  an  assessment made by the department within
47    thirty (30) days from receipt of the assessment by filing an appeal  with  the
48    department.  Upon  receipt of an appeal, the director or his authorized repre-
49    sentative shall schedule an informal conference between the owner and a repre-
50    sentative of the department. The informal conference must be conducted  within
51    twenty (20) days from the date of receipt of notice of intent to appeal by the
52    owner.  The  owner   and the representative of the department shall reduce all
53    conclusions, agreements and decisions to writing and the written report of the
54    results of that conference shall be provided to the director within  ten  (10)
55    days.  If  the  results of the informal conference are not satisfactory to the


                                          18

 1    owner, he may continue with the appeal by informing the director  in  writing,
 2    and  the  director  or  his  authorized representative shall appoint a hearing
 3    officer to conduct a contested case hearing in  accordance  with  chapter  52,
 4    title  67, Idaho Code. The hearing officer may subpoena witnesses and evidence
 5    and administer oaths. The hearing officer shall prepare  written  findings  of
 6    fact and conclusions of law for the director or his authorized representative.
 7    Upon  receipt  of findings of fact and conclusions of law, the director or his
 8    authorized representative shall issue a final order  affirming,  modifying  or
 9    reversing  the  original assessment. All final orders rendered by the director
10    or his authorized representative shall be appealable in accordance with  chap-
11    ter 52, title 67, Idaho Code.
12     

13        SECTION  12.  That  Section 49-504, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
14    amended to read as follows:

15        49-504.  APPLICATIONS TO DEPARTMENT FOR CERTIFICATES -- PROCEDURE -- IDEN-
16    TIFICATION NUMBERS. (1) Application for a certificate of title shall  be  made
17    upon  a  form furnished by the department and shall contain a full description
18    of the vehicle including the make, identification numbers,  and  the  odometer
19    reading  at  the  time  of sale or transfer, and whether the vehicle is new or
20    used, together with a statement of the applicant's title and of any  liens  or
21    encumbrances  upon the vehicle, and the name and address of the person to whom
22    the certificate of title shall be delivered, and any other information as  the
23    department  may  require.  The application shall be filed with the department,
24    and if a certificate of title has previously been issued for that  vehicle  in
25    this  state,  shall  be accompanied by the certificate of title duly assigned,
26    unless otherwise provided for in this chapter. The department  may  promulgate
27    rules    and regulations  to provide for exceptions to the odometer
28    requirement.
29        (2)  If a certificate of title has not  previously  been  issued  for  the
30    vehicle  in this state, the application, unless otherwise provided for in this
31    chapter, shall be accompanied by a proper bill of sale  or  a  duly  certified
32    copy  thereof, or by a certificate of title, bill of sale or other evidence of
33    ownership required by the law of any other state from which  the  vehicle  was
34    brought  into  this state, and a vehicle identification number inspection com-
35    pleted by any city, county or state  peace  officer  or  other  special  agent
36    authorized by the department.
37        (3)  In the case of a new vehicle being titled for the first time, no cer-
38    tificate  of  title  or registration shall be issued unless the application is
39    indorsed by a franchised new vehicle dealer licensed to sell  a  new  vehicle.
40    Each  application shall be accompanied by a manufacturer ' s '
41     certificate of origin or  manufacturer  '  s  '  
42    statement of origin executed by the manufacturer and delivered to his agent or
43    his franchised vehicle dealer. The certificate or statement of origin shall be
44    in a form prescribed by the board and shall contain the year of manufacture or
45    the  model year of the vehicle, the manufacturer's vehicle identification num-
46    ber, the name of the manufacturer, the number of cylinders, a general descrip-
47    tion of the body, if any, and the type or model. Upon sale of a  new  vehicle,
48    the  manufacturer, his agent or franchised dealer shall execute and deliver to
49    the purchaser an assignment of the certificate or statement, together with any
50    lien or encumbrance to which the vehicle is subject.
51        (4)  The department shall retain the evidence of title  presented  by  the
52    applicant  and  on  which  the  certificate of title is issued. The department
53    shall maintain an identification numbers index  of  registered  vehicles,  and


                                          19

 1    upon  receiving  an  application for a certificate of title, shall first check
 2    the identification number shown in the  application  against  the  index.  The
 3    department,  when satisfied that the applicant is the owner of the vehicle and
 4    that the application is in proper form, shall issue in the name of  the  owner
 5    of  the vehicle a certificate of title bearing a title number, the date issued
 6    and a description of the vehicle as determined  by  the  department,  together
 7    with  a  statement  of the owner's title and of all liens or encumbrances upon
 8    the vehicle, and whether possession is held by the owner under a  lease,  con-
 9    tract or conditional sale, or other like agreement.
10        (5)  In all cases of transfer of vehicles the application for certificates
11    of title shall be filed within thirty (30) calendar days after the delivery of
12    the  vehicles.  Licensed  dealers  need not apply for certificate of title for
13    vehicles in stock or when they are acquired for stock purposes.
14        (6)  In the case of the sale of a vehicle by a dealer to  a  general  pur-
15    chaser  or user, the certificate of title shall be obtained in the name of the
16    purchaser by the dealer upon application signed by the purchaser. If a lien is
17    to  be  recorded, the title documentation as required in this section shall be
18    submitted to the department by the dealer or the lienholder  upon  application
19    signed by the purchaser. A copy of this application shall be given to the pur-
20    chaser  to  be  used as a seventy-two (72) hour temporary permit. In all other
21    cases the certificates shall be obtained by the  purchaser  and  the  seller's
22    bill  of  sale  shall  serve as a seventy-two (72) hour permit. This temporary
23    permit allows operation of any noncommercial vehicle or  unladened  commercial
24    vehicle  or  vehicle combination without license plates for the period of time
25    specified in the permit. A ladened commercial vehicle or  vehicle  combination
26    may  also  operate  without license plates for the period of time specified in
27    the temporary permit provided that the owner or operator has also  obtained  a
28    permit  issued  under  the provisions of section 49-432, Idaho Code , and
29    provided user fees have been paid for the ladened weight and mileage .
30        (7)  If the vehicle has no  identification  number,  then  the  department
31    shall designate an identification number for that vehicle at the time of issu-
32    ance  of  the  certificate of title. The identification number shall be perma-
33    nently affixed to or indented upon the frame of the vehicle and legibly  main-
34    tained  by  the owner at all times while a certificate of title to the vehicle
35    shall be issued and outstanding.

36        SECTION 13.  That Section 49-1001, Idaho Code, be, and the same is  hereby
37    amended to read as follows:

38        49-1001.  ALLOWABLE  GROSS LOADS. The gross load imposed on the highway by
39    any vehicle or combination of vehicles shall not exceed  the  limits  in  this
40    section.  The  maximum  single  axle  gross  weight  shall  be twenty thousand
41    (20,000) pounds, the maximum single wheel gross weight shall be  ten  thousand
42    (10,000)  pounds  and the maximum gross vehicle or combination weight shall be
43    one hundred five thousand five hundred (105,500) pounds, provided that maximum
44    gross vehicle or combination weight on United States  federal  interstate  and
45    defense  highways  of  this  state  shall  not exceed eighty thousand (80,000)
46    pounds, except as permitted under the provisions  of  section  49-1004,  Idaho
47    Code.
48        (1)  The total gross weight imposed on the highway by any group of consec-
49    utive axles shall be determined by the following formula:
50                                W=500((LN/N-1)+12N+36)
51        Where  W  is the maximum weight in pounds (to the nearest 500 pounds) car-
52    ried on any group of two (2) or more consecutive axles. L is the  distance  in
53    feet  between  the extremes of any group of two (2) or more consecutive axles,


                                          20

 1    and N is the number of axles under consideration.


                                          21

 1    NOTE: FOR A COPY OF THIS TABLE PLEASE
 2    CONTACT LEGISLATIVE SERVICES OFFICE
 3    (SHARON NATANSON 208-334-2475) OR
 4    FOR A COPY OF THE PRINTED BILL PLEASE
 5    CONTACT THE LEGISLATIVE MAIL ROOM
 6    (208-334-3012). THANK YOU.


                                          22

 1    NOTE: FOR A COPY OF THIS TABLE PLEASE
 2    CONTACT LEGISLATIVE SERVICES OFFICE
 3    (SHARON NATANSON 208-334-2475) OR
 4    FOR A COPY OF THE PRINTED BILL PLEASE
 5    CONTACT THE LEGISLATIVE MAIL ROOM
 6    (208-334-3012). THANK YOU.


                                          23

 1        (a)  A public highway agency may limit  the  application  of  the  weights
 2        authorized  in this section as to certain highways within its jurisdiction
 3        which  it  determines  have  limited  structural  capacity  of  pavements,
 4        bridges, or other appurtenances. In  designating  such  highways,  it  may
 5        specify  a  minimum  wheelbase for combinations to be operated thereon. It
 6        may also designate specific highways or portions on which operation  of  a
 7        combination of vehicles with seven (7) through thirteen (13) axles will be
 8        subject to specified lesser allowable gross weights.
 9        (b)  Notwithstanding  the  figures  shown  in the table in this subsection
10        (1), two (2) consecutive sets of tandem axles may carry a  gross  load  of
11        thirty-four  thousand (34,000) pounds each, providing the overall distance
12        between the first and last axles of such consecutive sets of tandem  axles
13        is thirty-six (36) feet or more.
14        (c)  Vehicles  may  operate  with reducible loads at gross weights greater
15        than one hundred five thousand  five  hundred  (105,500)  pounds  but  not
16        exceeding  one  hundred twenty-nine thousand (129,000) pounds on noninter-
17        state highways in accordance with the provisions of section 49-1004, Idaho
18        Code, provided such vehicles are in compliance  with  the  weight  formula
19        specified  in  this  subsection (1) of this section, have  registered
20        and have  paid the  weight-distance operating   reg-
21        istration  fees  calculated    as  specified  in  section
22        49-434, Idaho Code, and are in compliance with the length restrictions set
23        forth in section 49-1010(7), Idaho Code.
24        (2)  The  weight  limitations  set forth in the table in subsection (1) of
25    this section shall not apply to any vehicle, or combination of vehicles when a
26    greater allowed weight in pounds would be permitted such  vehicles  under  the
27    table  provided  in this subsection, except that with regard to transportation
28    on the United States federal interstate and defense highways  of  this  state,
29    the  following table of allowable weights shall apply only to vehicles engaged
30    in the transportation of logs, pulp wood, stull, rough lumber, poles  or  pil-
31    ing;  or  to  any  such vehicle engaged in the transportation of ores, concen-
32    trates, sand and gravel and aggregates thereof, in bulk; or to any such  vehi-
33    cle engaged in the transportation of agricultural commodities, including live-
34    stock:
35    Distance in feet between                Allowed Load in Pounds
36    the extremes of any group        Vehicles with           Vehicles with
37    of 2 or more consecutive         Three or Four           Five or more
38           axles                         axles                   axles
39             3 through 12               37,800                  37,800
40             13                         56,470                  56,470
41             14                         57,940                  57,940
42             15                         59,400                  59,400
43             16                         60,610                  60,610
44             17                         61,820                  61,820
45             18                         63,140                  63,140
46             19                         64,350                  64,350
47             20                         65,450                  65,450
48             21                         66,000                  66,330
49             22                         66,000                  67,250
50             23                         66,000                  67,880
51             24                         66,000                  68,510
52             25                         66,000                  69,150
53             26                         66,000                  69,770
54             27                         66,000                  70,400
55             28                         66,000                  70,950


                                          24

 1    Distance in feet between                Allowed Load in Pounds
 2    the extremes of any group        Vehicles with           Vehicles with
 3    of 2 or more consecutive         Three or Four           Five or more
 4           axles                         axles                   axles
 5             29                         66,000                  71,500
 6             30                         66,000                  72,050
 7             31                                                 72,600
 8             32                                                 73,150
 9             33                                                 73,700
10             34                                                 74,250
11             35                                                 74,800
12             36                                                 75,350
13             37                                                 75,900
14             38                                                 76,450
15             39                                                 77,000
16             40                                                 77,550
17             41                                                 78,100
18             42                                                 78,650
19             43 and over                                        79,000
20    The  weight  allowances  provided in this subsection do not apply if the total
21    gross weight of a vehicle or combination of vehicles  is  intended  to  exceed
22    seventy-nine  thousand  (79,000)  pounds as declared by the operator. When the
23    provisions of this subsection are applicable to a vehicle  or  combination  of
24    vehicles, it shall be a violation of the provisions of this subsection if that
25    vehicle  or  combination  of  vehicles  exceeds  the weights specified in this
26    table.
27        (3)  In determining the gross weight of a vehicle or the gross  weight  of
28    any  two  (2)  or more consecutive axles under subsection (1) or (2) or (9) of
29    this section, the total gross weight of the vehicle or combination of vehicles
30    or the gross weight of any two (2) or more consecutive axles shall be the  sum
31    of the axle weights.
32        For  the  purposes  of  this  chapter the gross weight of a vehicle or the
33    gross weight of any two (2) or more consecutive axles  may  be  determined  by
34    accumulatively  adding  the  separate  weights  of individual axles and tandem
35    axles or groups of axles to determine gross weight. The results of any  weigh-
36    ing  at a temporary or permanent port of entry and the records relating to the
37    calibration and accuracy of any scale at a  temporary  or  permanent  port  of
38    entry shall be admissible in any proceeding in this state. In order to prove a
39    violation of the provisions of this section the state must show that:
40        (a)  The  sum of the axle weights exceeds what is allowable under the pro-
41        visions of subsection (1) or (2) or (9) of this section;
42        (b)  The scale involved in the weighing was at the time of weighing  cali-
43        brated  in  conformity with and met the accuracy requirements of the stan-
44        dards for the enforcement of traffic and highway laws as set forth in  the
45        latest  edition  of handbook 44 of the national institute of standards and
46        technology;
47        (c)  Weights of individual axles or  axles  within  a  commonly  suspended
48        group  of  axles  supported  by a mechanical system designed to distribute
49        equal wheel loads to individual axles in the group were utilized  only  to
50        determine gross weights of that group of axles, and that any further eval-
51        uation of gross weights of combinations of axles considered only the accu-
52        mulated gross weight of each such commonly suspended group of axles.
53        (4)  In applying the weight limitations imposed in this section, a vehicle
54    or combination of vehicles must comply exclusively with the weight limitations
55    in either subsection (1) or (2) or (9) of this section.


                                          25

 1        (5)  In  applying the weight limitations imposed in this section, the dis-
 2    tance between axles shall be measured to the nearest even foot. When  a  frac-
 3    tion  is  exactly  one-half  (1/2)  foot the next larger whole number shall be
 4    used.
 5        (6)  The limitations imposed in this section are in addition  and  supple-
 6    mental  to  all  other  laws  imposing limitations upon the size and weight of
 7    vehicles. Further, single axles within groups of axles are subject to the pro-
 8    visions and limitations of this chapter. Single axles within groups  of  axles
 9    may  be  weighed and evaluated separately, or single axles may be prequalified
10    in accordance with rules or ordinances established by the board or other  pub-
11    lic  road jurisdiction, if any of the following conditions exist regarding the
12    single axle within a group of axles:
13        (a)  A suspension system common to all axles in the group  of  axles  does
14        not exist.
15        (b)  One (1) or more axles in the group of axles is equipped with separate
16        variable  load suspension controls to regulate the weight carried by indi-
17        vidual axles.
18        (c)  One (1) or more axles in a group of axles is equipped  with  more  or
19        fewer tires than other axles in the group of axles.
20        (d)  All  tires  in the group of axles are not the same size as determined
21        by the manufacturer's sidewall rating.
22        (7)  Notwithstanding the other provisions of  this  chapter,  no  vehicle,
23    motor  vehicle,  trailer  and/or  semitrailer,  or combination thereof, may be
24    operated on the public highways of the state under loads which would result in
25    the withholding of funds by operation of controlling federal law  as  provided
26    in the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956, as amended.
27        (8)  Except  as provided herein, no vehicle or combination of vehicles may
28    proceed past the place of weighing at temporary or permanent ports of entry or
29    checking stations when: the weight of a single axle exceeds the maximum  limi-
30    tations set forth herein by two thousand (2,000) pounds or more; the weight of
31    a combination of axles, or gross vehicle  weight exceeds the maximum allowable
32    weight as set forth herein by seven percent (7%) or more. Vehicles or combina-
33    tions  of  vehicles which exceed the weight limitations set forth herein shall
34    be required to be brought into compliance with applicable  weight  limitations
35    contained within this subsection at the place of weighing prior to continuing,
36    except those vehicles or combinations of vehicles which are transporting loads
37    which, in the determination of the board or other proper authorities in charge
38    of  or having jurisdiction over a highway, are deemed unsafe or impractical to
39    bring into compliance at the place of  weighing,  and  except  those  vehicles
40    which  do  not  exceed  fifteen percent (15%) over maximum axle and axle group
41    weights set forth in this section. Vehicles or combinations of vehicles trans-
42    porting loads in this latter category shall obtain a travel  authorization  to
43    the  nearest  place  of  safe  unloading,  load  adjustment  or other means of
44    legalization.
45        (a)  Neither the state of Idaho or its employees, nor  any  authority  and
46        its employees in charge of or having jurisdiction over a highway, shall be
47        held  liable  for  personal  injury  or property damage resulting from the
48        requirements of section 49-1001(8), Idaho Code.
49        (b)  The fee for a travel authorization as set forth above shall be  fifty
50        dollars  ($50.00)  and shall be on a form prescribed by the board or other
51        proper authorities, and shall not be construed as contributing to a reduc-
52        tion in the penalties prescribed in section 49-1013, Idaho Code.
53        (c)  The board or other proper authorities in charge of or  having  juris-
54        diction over a highway shall adopt and enforce administrative rules as may
55        be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.


                                          26

 1        (9)  For  vehicles on all highways except the United States federal inter-
 2    state and defense highways of this state, the following table shall apply:
 3    Distance in feet between                Allowed Load in Pounds
 4    the extremes of any group        Vehicles with           Vehicles with
 5    of 2 or more consecutive         Three or Four           Five or more
 6           axles                         axles                   axles
 7             3 through 12               37,800                  37,800
 8             13                         56,470                  56,470
 9             14                         57,940                  57,940
10             15                         59,400                  59,400
11             16                         60,610                  60,610
12             17                         61,820                  61,820
13             18                         63,140                  63,140
14             19                         64,350                  64,350
15             20                         65,450                  65,450
16             21                         66,000                  66,330
17             22                         66,000                  67,250
18             23                         66,000                  67,880
19             24                         66,000                  68,510
20             25                         66,000                  69,150
21             26                         66,000                  69,770
22             27                         66,000                  70,400
23             28                         66,000                  70,950
24             29                         66,000                  71,500
25             30                         66,000                  72,050
26             31                                                 72,600
27             32                                                 73,150
28             33                                                 73,700
29             34                                                 74,250
30             35                                                 74,800
31             36                                                 75,350
32             37                                                 75,900
33             38                                                 76,450
34             39                                                 77,000
35             40                                                 77,550
36             41                                                 78,100
37             42                                                 78,650
38             43 and over                                        80,000
39    The weight allowances provided in this subsection do not apply  if  the  total
40    gross  weight  of  a  vehicle or combination of vehicles is intended to exceed
41    eighty thousand (80,000) pounds as declared by the operator. When  the  provi-
42    sions  of  this subsection are applicable to a vehicle or combination of vehi-
43    cles, it shall be a violation of the provisions of  this  subsection  if  that
44    vehicle  or  combination  of  vehicles  exceeds  the weights specified in this
45    table.
46        (10) When owned by or under contract to or  under  authority  of  a  city,
47    county,  or  state agency, refuse/sanitation trucks transporting refuse may be
48    operated on public highways in accordance with the weights allowed in  subsec-
49    tion  (9)  of  this section, except that such trucks equipped with single rear
50    axles are allowed twenty-four thousand (24,000) pounds  on  that  single  rear
51    axle  when  specifically authorized by the public highway agency governing the
52    highways over which the refuse/sanitation truck is operating and provided  the
53    following conditions are met:
54        (a)  The weight allowances provided for in this subsection shall not apply
55        to the United States federal interstate and defense highways of the state;


                                          27

 1        and
 2        (b)  The  owner or operator has paid an annual operating fee for a permit,
 3        not to exceed fifty dollars ($50.00) per refuse/sanitation truck  to  each
 4        public   agency   governing   the   public   highways   over   which   the
 5        refuse/sanitation  truck  operates.  The  permit  shall  be carried in the
 6        refuse/sanitation truck. The permit fee may be waived by a  public  agency
 7        for  refuse/sanitation  trucks  operated  over  public highways under that
 8        agency's jurisdiction.
 9        (11) Variable load suspension axles shall meet the following  criteria  in
10    order to be included in the computation of gross vehicle or axle weight limits
11    for vehicles under the provisions of this section:
12        (a)  The deployment control switch for such axles may be located inside of
13        the  driver's  compartment but the pressure regulator valve for the opera-
14        tion of pressure on the pavement shall be located outside of and  inacces-
15        sible to the driver's compartment.
16        (b)  The  manufacturer's  gross  axle weight rating of each such axle must
17        not be less than the actual loading of the axle.
18        (c)  All variable load suspension axles mounted on a vehicle after January
19        1, 1990, shall be designed to be self-steering in a manner that will guide
20        or direct the variable load suspension mounted wheels  through  a  turning
21        movement without undue tire scrubbing or pavement scuffing.
22        (d)  The  manufacturer's gross tire weight rating of each tire must not be
23        less than the actual loading of the tire.
24        (e)  Variable load suspension  axles  must  be  fully  deployed  or  fully
25        raised.  For applicable definitions, see sections 49-117 and 49-123, Idaho
26        Code.
27        (12) Any person who operates a motor vehicle with a variable load  suspen-
28    sion  axle  in violation of the provisions of this section shall be subject to
29    the penalties provided in section 49-1013, Idaho Code.

30        SECTION 14.  It is legislative intent that  the  provisions  of  this  act
31    which  change  registration  for vehicles weighing in excess of sixty thousand
32    pounds gross vehicle weight  from  a  combination  of  registration  fees  and
33    weight-distance  use fees to a system of registration fees only shall be reve-
34    nue neutral. The Legislature hereby directs the Idaho  Transportation  Depart-
35    ment to review the level of fees collected under the repealed system of regis-
36    tration fees and weight-distance use fees and the newly enacted system of reg-
37    istration fees only and to report the revenues raised under the year preceding
38    and  the last year of the old system and the first and the second years of the
39    new system to the First Regular Session of the  Fifty-seventh  Idaho  Legisla-
40    ture.

41        SECTION  15.  (1)  This act shall be in full force and effect on and after
42    January 1, 2001, except as otherwise specifically provided in this section.
43        (2)  With regard to registrations for vehicles  exceeding  sixty  thousand
44    pounds  gross  vehicle  weight  which  expire  on December 31, 2000, the Idaho
45    Transportation Department may accept payment for registration fees  that  will
46    become effective on January 1, 2001, beginning October 1, 2000, and the owners
47    of  those  vehicles  shall  cease to accrue new liability for repealed weight-
48    distance use fees on January 1, 2001, and shall be liable for the  new  regis-
49    tration  fees  on January 1, 2001. Not later than the last day of March, 2001,
50    each such owner shall file with the department a statement of the gross  miles
51    each  vehicle  has  traveled  over  the highways of the state of Idaho for the
52    fourth calendar quarter of 2000 and shall remit the weight-distance  use  fees
53    for that calendar quarter.


                                          28

 1        (3)  With  regard  to  registration  for vehicles exceeding sixty thousand
 2    pounds gross vehicle weight which expire in any month of the  year  2001,  the
 3    owners  of those vehicles shall cease to accrue new liability for the repealed
 4    weight-distance use fees and shall be liable for the new registration fees  on
 5    the  first  day of the month during which their registration is due. Owners of
 6    vehicles whose registration for the year 2001 has not  yet  expired  during  a
 7    given  calendar quarter shall continue to accrue, report and remit the weight-
 8    distance use fees until the quarter in which their registration expires  under
 9    the  repealed  weight-distance  statutes.  Not  later than the last day of the
10    month following the end of the calendar quarter in the year 2001 in which  the
11    vehicle registration expires, each such owner shall file with the department a
12    statement  of  the  gross miles each vehicle traveled over the highways of the
13    state of Idaho for the months of that calendar quarter of 2001 for  which  the
14    owner  was  liable  for  weight-distance  use fees and shall remit the weight-
15    distance use fees for that calendar quarter.
16        (4)  All owners of vehicles exceeding sixty thousand pounds gross  vehicle
17    weight shall continue to be liable for weight-distance use fees accrued before
18    the  registration  of a given vehicle expires, either on December 31, 2000, or
19    during the year 2001, for the same time that they would be  liable  under  the
20    repealed  weight-distance  use  fees.  The Idaho Transportation Department may
21    continue to enforce the repealed statutes addressing payment and collection of
22    weight-distance use fees to audit and collect weight-distance use fees for the
23    limitation period that would be in effect if the weight-distance use fees  had
24    not been repealed.

Statement of Purpose / Fiscal Impact


                     STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

                            RS09196

This bill revises Idaho's system of fees for trucks exceeding
60,000 pounds maximum gross weight of vehicle. The current
system of fees has two components: a flat registration fee of
$120 per vehicle and a weight-distance user that increases by
2,000-pound increments from the first weight grouping of
60,001-62,000 pounds maximum gross weight of vehicle. The
current weight-distance fee has two categories: a higher fee
for trucks hauling general commodities and a lower fee for
trucks carrying certain limited commodities. For 80,000
pounds, the most weight at which heavy trucks are registered,
the fees are 44.90 mills per mile and 22.45 mills per mile
respectively. This bill repeals weight-distance fees and
increases registration fees. This bill creates three
registration mileage bands and preserves two schedules for
general commodities and limited commodities. For an 80,000-pound truck the registration fees are:

                       Under 7,500     7,500 miles to   Over 40,000
                       miles           40,000 miles     miles
       Regular         $720            $1,440      $3,600
       Commodities
       Limited         $220            $ 580       $1,800
       Commodities

This bill also allows Idaho-based carriers to seasonally
register at a discount from the annual fees. One purpose of
this bill is to settle a lawsuit pending before the state
district courts. The lawsuit was brought by the American
Trucking Association and two interstate carriers, one Idaho-based and other Utah-based. The lawsuit challenges the current
system of limited and general commodities fees under the
Commerce Clause of the United States constitution on the
ground that the limited commodity fees are disproportionately
used by Idaho-based carriers. The remedy sought by the
plaintiffs is a refund of the difference between the general
commodity fees and the limited commodity fees, which would be
approximately $10,000,000 per year for each year of refund.
The lawsuit was filed in 1997. With a four-year statute of
limitations, the lawsuit would encompass about $80,000,000 of
refund claims if it reached the Idaho Supreme Court in the
year 2001 after a November 1999 trial. If this bill passes,
the plaintiffs have committed to drop their lawsuit and claims
for refunds.

                          FlSCAL NOTE

This bill is intended to be revenue neutral to the
transportation department and to the trucking industry as a
whole. Section 14 requires the transportation department to
report to the legislature whether revenue neutrality has been
achieved.

CONTACT:  Skip Smyser
         208/342-0777
         
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE/ FlSCAL NOTE       Bill No.        H 371