SB 321

This bill applies certain provisions governing interstate motor carriers to motor

carriers engaged in intrastate commerce.

Under current law, with limited exceptions, a person who transports

passengers or property for hire by motor vehicle on the highways is a common motor

carrier or a contract motor carrier and a person other than a for-hire motor carrier

that transports property or passengers on the highways by commercial motor vehicle

is a private motor carrier (collectively motor carrier). Current law includes certain

regulation of motor carriers engaged in interstate commerce. With limited

exceptions, a common motor carrier or contract motor carrier engaged in interstate

commerce must operate under a motor carrier certificate of authority or license and

must meet certain insurance requirements. Various other state laws, including laws

relating to vehicle equipment and vehicle inspection, govern motor carriers engaged

in interstate commerce. Federal laws, including federal motor carrier safety

standards, also govern motor carriers engaged in interstate commerce. DOT has

authority under state law to promulgate rules regulating the safety of interstate

motor carrier operations, including rules implementing federal motor carrier safety

standards.

Under this bill, these provisions of current law relating to interstate motor

carriers, including DOT's regulatory authority over interstate motor carriers, also

apply to motor carriers engaged in intrastate commerce.