91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY SENATOR WESTFALL.

Offered February 27, 2002.

Senate Substitute adopted, March 12, 2002.

Taken up for Perfection March 12, 2002. Bill declared Perfected and Ordered Printed, as amended.

TERRY L. SPIELER, Secretary.

3307S.09P

AN ACT

To repeal sections 136.055, 142.803, 144.805, 155.080, 226.540, 226.550, 226.573, 226.580, 226.585, 227.100, 302.720, 304.001, 304.190 and 305.230, RSMo, relating to transportation, and to enact in lieu thereof eighteen new sections relating to the same subject, with penalty provisions and an emergency clause for certain sections.

Section A. Sections 136.055, 142.803, 144.805, 155.080, 226.540, 226.550, 226.573, 226.580, 226.585, 227.100, 302.720, 304.001, 304.190 and 305.230, RSMo, are repealed and eighteen new sections enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as sections 136.055, 142.803, 144.805, 155.080, 226.540, 226.550, 226.573, 226.580, 226.585, 227.035, 227.100, 227.107, 234.032, 302.720, 304.001, 304.190, 304.370 and 305.230, to read as follows:

136.055. 1. Any person who is selected or appointed by the state director of revenue to act as an agent of the department of revenue, whose duties shall be the sale of motor vehicle licenses and the collection of motor vehicle sales and use taxes under the provisions of section 144.440, RSMo, and who receives no salary from the department of revenue, shall be authorized to collect from the party requiring such services additional fees as compensation in full and for all services rendered on the following basis:

(1) For each motor vehicle or trailer license sold, renewed or transferred--two dollars and fifty cents beginning January 1, 1998; and four dollars beginning July 1, 2000[,]; and five dollars beginning August 28, 2002, for those licenses biennially renewed pursuant to section 301.147, RSMo. Beginning July 1, 2003, for each motor vehicle or trailer license sold, renewed or transferred--three dollars and fifty cents and seven dollars for those licenses sold or biennially renewed pursuant to section 301.147, RSMo;

(2) For each application or transfer of title--two dollars and fifty cents beginning January 1, 1998;

(3) For each chauffeur's, operator's or driver's license -- two dollars and fifty cents beginning January 1, 1998; and four dollars beginning July 1, 2000[,]; and five dollars beginning July 1, 2003, for six-year licenses issued or renewed;

(4) For each notice of lien processed--two dollars and fifty cents beginning August 28, 2000;

(5) No notary fee or other fee or additional charge shall be paid or collected except for electronic telephone transmission reception--two dollars.

2. This section shall not apply to agents appointed by the state director of revenue in any city, other than a city not within a county, where the department of revenue maintains an office. All fees charged shall not exceed those in this section. Beginning July 1, 2003, the fees imposed by this section shall be collected by all permanent branch offices and all full-time or temporary offices maintained by the department of revenue.

3. Any person acting as agent of the department of revenue for the sale and issuance of licenses and other documents related to motor vehicles shall have an insurable interest in all license plates, licenses, tabs, forms and other documents held on behalf of the department.

4. The fee increases authorized by this section and approved by the general assembly were requested by the fee agents. All fee agent offices shall display a three foot by four foot sign with black letters of at least three inches in height on a white background which states:

The increased fees approved by the

Missouri Legislature and charged by

this fee office were requested by the

fee agents.

142.803. 1. A tax is levied and imposed on all motor fuel used or consumed in this state as follows:

(1) Motor fuel, seventeen cents per gallon[. Beginning April 1, 2008, the tax rate shall become eleven cents per gallon];

(2) Alternative fuels, not subject to the decal fees as provided in section 142.869, with a power potential equivalent of motor fuel. In the event alternative fuel, which is not commonly sold or measured by the gallon, is used in motor vehicles on the highways of this state, the director is authorized to assess and collect a tax upon such alternative fuel measured by the nearest power potential equivalent to that of one gallon of regular grade gasoline. The determination by the director of the power potential equivalent of such alternative fuel shall be prima facie correct;

(3) Aviation fuel used in propelling aircraft with reciprocating engines, nine cents per gallon as levied and imposed by section 155.080, RSMo, to be collected as required under this chapter.

2. All taxes, surcharges and fees are imposed upon the ultimate consumer, but are to be precollected as described in this chapter, for the facility and convenience of the consumer. The levy and assessment on other persons as specified in this chapter shall be as agents of this state for the precollection of the tax.

144.805. 1. In addition to the exemptions granted pursuant to the provisions of section 144.030, there shall also be specifically exempted from the provisions of sections 144.010 to 144.525, sections 144.600 to 144.748, and section 238.235, RSMo, and the provisions of any local sales tax law, as defined in section 32.085, RSMo, and from the computation of the tax levied, assessed or payable pursuant to sections 144.010 to 144.525, sections 144.600 to 144.748, and section 238.235, RSMo, and the provisions of any local sales tax law, as defined in section 32.085, RSMo, all sales of aviation jet fuel in a given calendar year to common carriers engaged in the interstate air transportation of passengers and cargo, and the storage, use and consumption of such aviation jet fuel by such common carriers, if such common carrier has first paid to the state of Missouri, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, state sales and use taxes pursuant to the foregoing provisions and applicable to the purchase, storage, use or consumption of such aviation jet fuel in a maximum and aggregate amount of one million five hundred thousand dollars of state sales and use taxes in such calendar year.

2. To qualify for the exemption prescribed in subsection 1 of this section, the common carrier shall furnish to the seller a certificate in writing to the effect that an exemption pursuant to this section is applicable to the aviation jet fuel so purchased, stored, used and consumed. The director of revenue shall permit any such common carrier to enter into a direct-pay agreement with the department of revenue, pursuant to which such common carrier may pay directly to the department of revenue any applicable sales and use taxes on such aviation jet fuel up to the maximum aggregate amount of one million five hundred thousand dollars in each calendar year. The director of revenue shall adopt appropriate rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this section, and to permit appropriate claims for refunds of any excess sales and use taxes collected in calendar year 1993 or any subsequent year with respect to any such common carrier and aviation jet fuel.

3. The provisions of this section shall apply to all purchases and deliveries of aviation jet fuel from and after May 10, 1993.

4. [Effective September 1, 1998,] All sales and use tax revenues upon aviation jet fuel received pursuant to this chapter, less the amounts specifically designated pursuant to the constitution or pursuant to section 144.701, for other purposes, shall be deposited to the credit of the aviation trust fund established pursuant to section 305.230, RSMo[; provided however, the amount of such state sales and use tax revenues deposited to the credit of such aviation trust fund shall not exceed five million dollars in each calendar year].

5. The provisions of this section and section 144.807 shall expire on December 31, [2003] 2008.

155.080. 1. There is hereby imposed a use tax on each gallon of aviation fuel used in propelling aircraft with reciprocating engines. The tax is imposed at the rate of nine cents per gallon. Such tax is to be collected and remitted to this state or paid to this state in the same manner and method and at the same time as is prescribed by chapter 142, RSMo, for the collection of the motor fuel tax imposed on each gallon of motor fuel used in propelling motor vehicles upon the public highways of Missouri.

2. All applicable provisions contained in chapter 142, RSMo, governing administration, collection and enforcement of the state motor fuel tax shall apply to this section, including but not limited to reporting, penalties and interest.

3. Each commercial agricultural aircraft operator may apply for a refund of the tax it has paid for aviation fuel used in a commercial agricultural aircraft. All such applications for refunds shall be made in accordance with the procedures specified in chapter 142, RSMo, for refunds of motor fuel taxes paid. If any person who is eligible to receive a refund of aviation fuel tax fails to apply for a refund as provided in chapter 142, RSMo, [he makes a gift of his refund to the aviation trust fund] the refund amount shall be deposited to the credit of the aviation trust fund pursuant to section 305.230, RSMo.

226.540. Notwithstanding any other provisions of sections 226.500 to 226.600, outdoor advertising shall be permitted within six hundred and sixty feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way of [any interstate or primary highway] highways located on the interstate, federal-aid primary system as it existed on June 1, 1991, or the national highway system as amended in areas zoned agricultural, industrial, commercial or the like and in unzoned commercial and industrial areas as defined in this section, subject to the following regulations which are consistent with customary use in this state:

(1) Lighting:

(a) No revolving or rotating beam or beacon of light that simulates any emergency light or device shall be permitted as part of any sign. No flashing, intermittent, or moving light or lights will be permitted except scoreboards and other illuminated signs designating public service information, such as time, date, or temperature, or similar information, will be allowed; tri-vision, projection and other changeable message signs shall be allowed subject to Missouri highway and transportation commission regulations;

(b) External lighting, such as floodlights, thin line and gooseneck reflectors are permitted, provided the light source is directed upon the face of the sign and is effectively shielded so as to prevent beams or rays of light from being directed into any portion of the main traveled way of the federal-aid primary highways as of June 1, 1991, and all highways designated as part of the National Highway System by the National Highway System Designation Act of 1995 and those highways subsequently designated as part of the National Highway System and the lights are not of such intensity so as to cause glare, impair the vision of the driver of a motor vehicle, or otherwise interfere with a driver's operation of a motor vehicle;

(c) No sign shall be so illuminated that it interferes with the effectiveness of, or obscures, an official traffic sign, device, or signal;

(2) Size of signs:

(a) The maximum area for any one sign shall be eight hundred square feet with a maximum height of thirty feet and a maximum length of seventy-two feet, inclusive of border and trim but excluding the base or apron, supports, and other structural members. The area shall be measured as established herein and in rules promulgated by the commission. In determining the size of a conforming or nonconforming sign structure, temporary cutouts and extensions installed for the length of a specific display contract shall not be [included in calculating] considered a substantial increase to the size of the permanent display; provided the actual square footage of such temporary cutouts or extensions may not exceed thirty-three percent of the permanent display area. Signs erected in accordance with the provisions of sections 226.500 to 226.600 prior to the effective date of this provision which fail to meet the requirements of this provision shall be deemed legal nonconforming as defined herein;

(b) The maximum size limitations shall apply to each side of a sign structure, and signs may be placed back to back, double faced, or in V-type construction with not more than two displays to each facing, but such sign structure shall be considered as one sign;

(c) After August 28, 1999, no new sign structure shall be erected in which two or more displays are stacked one above the other. Stacked structures existing on or before August 28, 1999, in accordance with sections 226.500 to 226.600 shall [not] be deemed legal nonconforming [for failure to meet the requirements of this section until such sign's structure is modified, repaired, replaced or rebuilt] and may be maintained in accordance with the provisions sections of 226.500 to 226.600. Structures displaying more than one display on a horizontal basis shall be allowed, provided that total display areas do not exceed the maximum allowed square footage for a sign structure pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (a) of subdivision (2) of this section;

(3) Spacing of signs:

(a) On all interstate highways, [and] freeways [on the] and nonfreeway federal-aid primary highways as of June 1, 1991, and all highways designated as part of the National Highway System by the National Highway System Designation Act of 1995 and those highways subsequently designated as part of the National Highway System:

a. No sign structure shall be erected within [five hundred] one thousand four hundred feet of an existing sign on the same side of the highway;

b. Outside of incorporated municipalities, no structure may be located adjacent to or within five hundred feet of an interchange, intersection at grade, or safety rest area. Such five hundred feet shall be measured from the beginning or ending of the pavement widening at the exit from or entrance to the main traveled way. For purpose of this subparagraph, the term "incorporated municipalities" shall include "urban areas", except that such "urban areas" shall not be considered "incorporated municipalities" if it is finally determined that such would have the effect of making Missouri be in noncompliance with the requirements of Title 23, United States Code, Section 131;

(b) [Nonfreeway federal-aid primary highways as of June 1, 1991, and all highways designated as part of the National Highway System by the National Highway System Designation Act of 1995 and those highways subsequently designated as part of the National Highway System:

a. Outside incorporated municipalities, no structure shall be erected within five hundred feet of an existing sign on the same side of the highway. Sign structures existing prior to August 28, 1999, which complied with the requirements of this section when erected shall not be deemed nonconforming for failure to comply with the spacing provisions of this section until such sign's structure is modified, repaired, replaced or rebuilt;

b. Within incorporated municipalities, no structure shall be erected within five hundred feet of an existing sign. Sign structures existing prior to August 28, 1999, which complied with the requirements of this section when erected shall not be deemed nonconforming for failure to comply with the spacing provisions of this section until such sign's structure is modified, repaired, replaced or rebuilt;

(c)] The spacing between structure provisions of subdivision (3) of this section do not apply to signs which are separated by buildings, natural surroundings, or other obstructions in such manner that only one sign facing located within such distance is visible at any one time. Directional or other official signs or those advertising the sale or lease of the property on which they are located, or those which advertise activities on the property on which they are located, including products sold, shall not be counted, nor shall measurements be made from them for the purpose of compliance with spacing provisions;

[(d)] (c) No sign shall be located in such manner as to obstruct or otherwise physically interfere with the effectiveness of an official traffic sign, signal, or device or obstruct or physically interfere with a motor vehicle operator's view of approaching, merging, or intersecting traffic;

[(e)] (d) The measurements in this section shall be the minimum distances between outdoor advertising sign structures measured along the nearest edge of the pavement between points directly opposite the signs along each side of the highway and shall apply only to outdoor advertising sign structures located on the same side of the highway involved;

(4) As used in this section, the words "unzoned commercial and industrial land" shall be defined as follows: that area not zoned by state or local law or ordinance and on which there is located one or more permanent structures used for a commercial business or industrial activity or on which a commercial or industrial activity is actually conducted together with the area along the highway extending outwardly [six hundred] seven hundred fifty feet from and beyond the edge of such activity. All measurements shall be from the outer edges of the regularly used improvements, buildings, parking lots, landscaped, storage or processing areas of the commercial or industrial activity and along and parallel to the edge of the pavement of the highway. [On nonfreeway federal-aid primary highways as of June 1, 1991, and all highways designated as part of the National Highway System by the National Highway System Designation Act of 1995 and those highways subsequently designated as part of the National Highway System, where there is an unzoned commercial or industrial area on one side of the road as described in this section, the term "unzoned commercial or industrial land" shall also include those lands directly opposite on the other side of the highway to the extent of the same dimensions.] Unzoned land shall not include:

(a) Land on the opposite side of [an interstate or freeway primary] the highway from an unzoned commercial or industrial area as defined in this section and located adjacent to highways located on the interstate, federal-aid primary system as it existed on June 1, 1991, or the national highway system as amended, unless the opposite side of the highway qualifies as a separate unzoned commercial or industrial area; or

(b) Land zoned by a state or local law, regulation, or ordinance;

[(c) Land on the opposite side of a nonfreeway primary highway which is determined by the proper state authority to be a scenic area;]

(5) "Commercial or industrial activities" as used in this section means those which are generally recognized as commercial or industrial by zoning authorities in this state, except that none of the following shall be considered commercial or industrial:

(a) Outdoor advertising structures;

(b) Agricultural, forestry, ranching, grazing, farming, and related activities, including seasonal roadside fresh produce stands;

(c) Transient or temporary activities;

(d) Activities more than six hundred sixty feet from the nearest edge of the right-of-way or not visible from the main traveled way;

(e) Activities conducted in a building principally used as a residence;

(f) Railroad tracks and minor sidings;

(6) The words "unzoned commercial or industrial land" shall also include all areas not specified in this section which constitute an "unzoned commercial or industrial area" within the meaning of the present Section 131 of Title 23 of the United States Code, or as such statute may be amended. As used in this section, the words "zoned commercial or industrial area" shall refer to those areas zoned commercial or industrial by the duly constituted zoning authority of a municipality, county, or other lawfully established political subdivision of the state, or by the state and which is within seven hundred fifty feet of one or more permanent commercial or industrial activities. [Unzoned] Commercial or industrial activities as used in this section are limited to those activities:

(a) In which the primary use of the property is commercial or industrial in nature;

(b) Which are clearly visible from the highway and recognizable as a commercial business;

(c) Which are permanent as opposed to temporary or transitory and of a nature that would customarily be restricted to commercial or industrial zoning in areas comprehensively zoned; and

(d) In determining whether the primary use of the property is commercial or industrial pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subdivision, the state highways and transportation commission shall consider the following factors:

a. The presence of a permanent and substantial building;

b. The existence of utilities and [required] local business licenses, if any, for the commercial activity;

c. On-premise signs or other identification;

d. [Communication with the business owner that can be accomplished at regular intervals either in person, by telephone, by fax machine, by electronic mail or by some other business means] The presence of an owner or employee on the premises for at least 20 hours per week;

(7) In zoned commercial and industrial areas, whenever a state, county or municipal zoning authority has adopted laws or ordinances which include regulations with respect to the size, lighting and spacing of signs, which regulations are consistent with the intent of sections 226.500 to 226.600 and with customary use, then from and after the effective date of such regulations, and so long as they shall continue in effect, the provisions of this section shall not apply to the erection of signs in such areas. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, after August 28, 1992, with respect to any outdoor advertising which is regulated by the provisions of subdivision (1), (3) or (4) of section 226.520 or subsection 1 of section 226.527:

(a) No county or municipality shall issue a permit to allow a regulated sign to be newly erected without a permit issued by the state highways and transportation commission;

(b) A county or municipality may charge a reasonable one-time permit or inspection fee to assure compliance with local wind load and electrical requirements when the sign is first erected, but a county or municipality may not charge a permit or inspection fee for such sign after such initial fee. Changing the display face or performing routine maintenance shall not be considered as erecting a new sign;

(8) The state highways and transportation commission on behalf of the state of Missouri, may seek agreement with the Secretary of Transportation of the United States under Section 131 of Title 23, United States Code, as amended, that sections 226.500 to 226.600 are in conformance with that Section 131 and provides effective control of outdoor advertising signs as set forth therein. If such agreement cannot be reached and the penalties under subsection (b) of Section 131 are invoked, the attorney general of this state shall institute proceedings described in subsection (1) of that Section 131.

226.550. 1. No outdoor advertising which is regulated by subdivision (1), (3) or (4) of section 226.520 or subsection 1 of section 226.527 shall be erected or maintained on or after August 28, 1992, without a one-time permanent permit issued by the state highways and transportation commission. Application for permits shall be made to the state highways and transportation commission on forms furnished by the commission and shall be accompanied by a permit fee of [twenty-eight dollars and fifty cents] two hundred dollars for all signs; except that, tax-exempt religious organizations as defined in subdivision (11) of section 313.005, RSMo, service organizations as defined in subdivision (12) of section 313.005, RSMo, veterans' organizations as defined in subdivision (14) of section 313.005, RSMo, and fraternal organizations as defined in subdivision (8) of section 313.005, RSMo, shall be granted a permit for signs less than seventy-six square feet without payment of the fee. In the event a permit holder fails to erect a sign structure within twenty-four months of issuance, said permit shall expire and a new permit must be obtained prior to any construction.

2. No outdoor advertising which is regulated by subdivision (1), (3) or (4) of section 226.520 or subsection 1 of section 226.527 which was erected prior to August 28, 1992, shall be maintained without a one-time permanent permit for outdoor advertising issued by the state highways and transportation commission. If a one-time permanent permit was issued by the state highways and transportation commission after March 30, 1972, and before August 28, 1992, it is not necessary for a new permit to be issued. If a one-time permanent permit was not issued for a lawfully erected and lawfully existing sign by the state highways and transportation commission after March 30, 1972, and before August 28, 1992, a one-time permanent permit shall be issued by the commission for each sign which is lawfully in existence on the day prior to August 28, 1992, upon application and payment of a permit fee of [twenty-eight dollars and fifty cents] two hundred dollars. All applications and fees due pursuant to this subsection shall be submitted before December 31, 1992.

3. For purposes of sections 226.500 to 226.600, the terminology "structure lawfully in existence" or "lawfully existing" sign or outdoor advertising shall, nevertheless, include the following signs unless the signs violate the provisions of subdivisions (3) to (7) of subsection 1 of section 226.580:

(1) All signs erected prior to January 1, 1968;

(2) All signs erected before March 30, 1972, but on or after January 1, 1968, which would otherwise be lawful but for the failure to have a permit for such signs prior to March 30, 1972, except that any sign or structure which was not in compliance with sizing, spacing, lighting, or location requirements of sections 226.500 to 226.600 as the sections appeared in the revised statutes of Missouri 1969, wheresoever located, shall not be considered a lawfully existing sign or structure;

(3) All signs erected after March 30, 1972, which are in conformity with sections 226.500 to 226.600;

(4) All signs erected in compliance with sections 226.500 to 226.600, RSMo, prior to the effective date of this act.

4. On or after August 28, 1992, the state highways and transportation commission may, in addition to the fees authorized by subsections 1 and 2 of this section, collect a biennial inspection fee every two years after a state permit has been issued. Biennial inspection fees due after August 28, [1992] 2002, and prior to August 28, 2003, shall be [twenty-eight dollars and fifty cents] fifty dollars. Biennial inspection fees due on or after August 28, 2003, shall be seventy-five dollars. Biennial inspection fees due on or after August 28, 2004, shall be one hundred dollars; except that, tax-exempt religious organizations as defined in subdivision (11) of section 313.005, RSMo, service organizations as defined in subdivision (12) of section 313.005, RSMo, veterans' organizations as defined in subdivision (14) of section 313.005, RSMo, and fraternal organizations as defined in subdivision (8) of section 313.005, RSMo, shall not be required to pay such fee.

5. [In order to effect collection from a sign owner of delinquent and unpaid biennial inspection fees which are payable pursuant to this section, or delinquent removal costs pursuant to section 226.580, the state highways and transportation commission may require any delinquent fees to be paid before a permit is issued to the delinquent sign owner for any new sign.] In order to effect the more efficient collection of biennial inspection fees, the state highways and transportation commission is encouraged to adopt a renewal system in which all permits on a particular highway are renewed in the same month. In conjunction with the conversion to this renewal system, the state highways and transportation commission is specifically authorized to prorate renewal fees based on changes in renewal dates.

6. Sign owners or owners of the land on which signs are located must apply to the state highways and transportation commission for biennial inspection and submit any fees as required by this section on or before December 31, 1992. For a permitted sign which does not have a permit, a permit shall be issued at the time of the next biennial inspection.

7. The state highways and transportation commission shall deposit all fees received for outdoor advertising permits and inspection fees in the state road fund, keeping a separate record of such fees, and the same may be expended by the commission in the administration of sections 226.500 to 226.600.

226.573. The state highways and transportation commission is authorized to adopt administrative rules regulating the use of new technology in outdoor advertising as allowed under federal regulations for federal-aid primary highways as of June 1, 1991, and all highways designated as part of the National Highway System by the National Highway System Designation Act of 1995 and those highways subsequently designated as part of the National Highway System. Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010, RSMo, that is promulgated pursuant to the authority delegated in this section shall become effective only if it has been promulgated pursuant to the provisions of chapter 536, RSMo. This section and chapter 536, RSMo, are nonseverable and if any of the powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to chapter 536, RSMo, to review, to delay the effective date or to disapprove and annul a rule are subsequently held unconstitutional, then the grant of rulemaking authority and any rule proposed or adopted after [August 28, 1999,] the effective date of this section shall be invalid and void.

226.580. 1. The following outdoor advertising within six hundred sixty feet of the right-of-way of interstate or primary highways is deemed unlawful and shall be subject to removal:

(1) Signs erected after March 30, 1972, contrary to the provisions of sections 226.500 to 226.600 and signs erected on or after January 1, 1968, but before March 30, 1972, contrary to the sizing, spacing, lighting, or location provisions of sections 226.500 to 226.600 as they appeared in the revised statutes of Missouri 1969; or

(2) Signs for which a permit is not obtained or a biennial inspection fee is [not paid as prescribed in sections 226.500 to 226.600] more than twelve months past due; or

(3) Signs which are obsolete; (Signs shall not be considered obsolete solely because they temporarily do not carry an advertising message.) or

(4) Signs that are not in good repair; or

(5) Signs not securely affixed to a substantial structure; or

(6) Signs which attempt or appear to attempt to regulate, warn, or direct the movement of traffic or which interfere with, imitate, or resemble any official traffic sign, signal, or device; or

(7) Signs which are erected or maintained upon trees or painted or drawn upon rocks or other natural features.

2. Signs erected after August 13, 1976, beyond six hundred sixty feet of the right-of-way outside of urban areas, visible from the main traveled way of the interstate or primary system and erected with the purpose of their message being read from such traveled way, except those signs described in subdivisions (1) and (2) of section 226.520 are deemed unlawful and shall be subject to removal.

3. If a sign is deemed to be unlawful for any of the reasons set out in subsections 1 [and 2] through 7 of this section, the state highways and transportation commission shall give notice either by certified mail or by personal service to the owner or occupant of the land on which advertising believed to be unlawful is located and the owner of the outdoor advertising structure. Such notice shall specify the basis for the alleged unlawfulness, shall specify the remedial action which is required to correct the unlawfulness and shall advise that a failure to take the remedial action within [thirty] sixty days will result in the sign being removed. Within [thirty] sixty days after receipt of the notice as to him, the owner of the land or of the structure may remove the sign or may take the remedial action specified or may file an action for administrative review pursuant to the provisions of sections 536.067 to 536.090, RSMo, to review the action of the state highways and transportation commission, or he may proceed under the provisions of section 536.150, RSMo, as if the act of the highways and transportation commission was one not subject to administrative review. Notwithstanding any other provisions of sections 226.500 to 226.600, no outdoor advertising structure erected prior to August 28, 1992, defined as a "structure lawfully in existence" or "lawfully existing", by subdivision (1), (2) or (3) of subsection 2 of section 226.550, shall be removed for failure to have a permit until a notice, as provided in this section, has been issued which shall specify failure to obtain a permit or pay a biennial inspection fee as the basis for alleged unlawfulness, and shall advise that failure to take the remedial action of applying for a permit or paying the inspection fee within [thirty] sixty days will result in the sign being removed. Signs for which biennial inspection fees are delinquent shall not be removed unless the fees are more than twelve months past due and actual notice of the delinquency has been provided to the sign owner. Upon application made within the [thirty-day] sixty-day period as provided in this section, and accompanied by the fee prescribed by section 226.550, together with any inspection fees that would have been payable if a permit had been timely issued, the state highways and transportation commission shall issue a one-time permanent permit for such sign. Such signs with respect to which permits are so issued are hereby determined by the state of Missouri to have been lawfully erected within the meaning of "lawfully erected" as that term is used in Title 23, United States Code, section 131(g), as amended, and shall only be removed upon payment of just compensation, except that the issuance of permits shall not entitle the owners of such signs to compensation for their removal if it is finally determined that such signs are not "lawfully erected" as that term is used in section 131(g) of Title 23 of the United States Code.

4. If actual notice as provided in this section is given and neither the remedial action specified is taken nor an action for review is filed, or if an action for review is filed and is finally adjudicated in favor of the state highways and transportation commission, the state highways and transportation commission shall have authority to immediately remove the unlawful outdoor advertising. The owner of the structure shall be liable for the costs of such removal. The commission shall incur no liability for causing this removal, except for damage caused by negligence of the commission, its agents or employees.

5. If notice as provided in this section is given and an action for review is filed under the provisions of section 536.150, RSMo, or if administrative review pursuant to the provisions of sections 536.067 to 536.090, RSMo, is filed and the state highways and transportation commission enters its final decision and order to remove the outdoor advertising structure, the advertising message contained on the structure shall be removed or concealed by the owner of the structure, at the owner's expense, until the action for judicial review is finally adjudicated. If the owner of the structure refuses or fails to remove or conceal the advertising message, the commission may remove or conceal the advertising message and the owner of the structure shall be liable for the costs of such removal or concealment. The commission shall incur no liability for causing the removal or concealment of the advertising message while an action for review is pending, except if the owner finally prevails in its action for judicial review, the commission will compensate the owner at the rate the owner is actually receiving income from the advertiser pursuant to written lease from the time the message is removed until the judicial review is final.

6. Any signs advertising tourist oriented type business will be the last to be removed.

7. Any signs prohibited by section 226.527 which were lawfully erected prior to August 13, 1976, shall be removed pursuant to section 226.570.

8. The transportation department shall reimburse to the lawful owners of any said nonconforming signs that are now in existence as defined in sections 226.540, 226.550, 226.580 and 226.585, said compensation calculated and/or based on a fair market value and not mere replacement cost.

226.585. 1. The state transportation department may cut and trim any vegetation on the highway right-of-way which interferes with the effectiveness of or obscures a lawfully erected billboard, or the highways and transportation commission shall promulgate reasonable rules and regulations to permit the cutting and trimming of such vegetation on the highway or right-of-way by the owner of such billboard. Vegetation permits shall be issued in accordance with the current rules and regulations promulgated by the highways and transportation commission and shall not be denied without good cause. Such rules and regulations shall be promulgated within twelve months after August 28, 1992, or the commission shall suspend the collection of the biennial inspection fees prescribed by section 226.550 until such rules are promulgated, and such rules may include authority to charge a reasonable fee for such [permission] permit. This section shall not apply if its implementation would have the effect of making Missouri be in noncompliance with requirements of Title 23, United States Code, section 131.

2. Trees and other vegetation located on the highways or public rights-of-way may be removed or trimmed without a permit for the purpose of installation and maintenance of utility facilities permitted in the right-of-way pursuant to section 227.240, RSMo.

3. Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting a rural electric cooperative from exercising its powers pursuant to section 394.080, RSMo. No permit pursuant to this section shall be required by a rural electric cooperative to exercise such powers.

227.035. 1. The director of the department of transportation is hereby authorized to enter into roadside maintenance agreements with private individuals to mow and maintain the portion of the roadside between the shoulder and the right-of-way.

2. When considering whether to enter into a contract with a private individual, the director shall consider the following factors:

(1) Potential cost savings to the state that could result from a contract with a private individual rather than the department performing the task itself;

(2) Whether the individual has the proper equipment and training to maintain highway rights-of-way for safety and aesthetic purposes;

(3) Whether such an agreement will displace employees of the department of transportation; and

(4) Any other factor as may be determined by the commission.

3. Each roadside agreement entered into with a private individual shall describe the standards in which the individual must comply with in order to maintain a safe and aesthetically pleasing highway system. The roadside agreement shall also set forth the type and amount of liability insurance, in an amount satisfactory to the commission, the individual must maintain to insure coverage to the public and employees for any liability arising from the individual's mowing and maintenance operations.

4. No roadside maintenance agreement shall be obtained in an arbitrary, capricious or discriminatory manner.

5. As used in this section, "roadside maintenance" includes, but is not limited to, mowing, herbicide spraying, erosion control, landscape maintenance, litter removal, fertilizing and brush control.

227.100. 1. All contracts for the construction of said work shall be let to the lowest responsible bidder or bidders after notice and publication of an advertisement in a newspaper published in the county where the work is to be done, and in such other publications as the commission may determine[; provided, that in all cases where the project advertised shall be for the construction of more than ten miles of road, such advertisement shall provide for bids on sections of said road not to exceed ten miles, as well as on the project as a whole, and such contract shall then be let so as to provide for the most economical construction of said project].

2. Each bid shall be accompanied by a certified check or a cashier's check or a bid bond, guaranteed by a surety company authorized by the director of the department of insurance to conduct surety business in the state of Missouri, equal to five percent of the bid, which certified check, cashier's check, or bid bond shall be deposited with the commissioner as a guaranty and forfeited to the state treasurer to the credit of the state road fund in the event the successful bidder fails to comply with the terms of the proposal, and return to the successful bidder on execution and delivery of the performance bond provided for in subsection 4. The checks of the unsuccessful bidders shall be returned to them in accordance with the terms of the proposal.

3. All notices of the letting of contracts under this section shall state the time and place when and where bids will be received and opened, and all bids shall be sealed and opened only at the time and place mentioned in such notice and in the presence of some member of the commission or some person named by the commission for such purpose.

4. The successful bidders for the construction of said work shall enter into contracts furnished and prescribed by the commission and shall give good and sufficient bond, in a sum equal to the contract price, to the state of Missouri, with sureties approved by the commission and to ensure the proper and prompt completion of said work in accordance with the provisions of said contracts, and plans and specifications; provided, that if, in the opinion of the majority of the members of the commission, the lowest bid or bids for the construction of any of the roads, or parts of roads, herein authorized to be constructed, shall be excessive, then, and in that event, said commission shall have the right, and it is hereby empowered and authorized to reject any or all bids, and to construct, under its own direction and supervision, all of such roads and bridges, or any part thereof.

227.107. 1. Notwithstanding any provision of section 227.100 to the contrary, as an alternative to the requirements and procedures specified by sections 227.040 to 227.100, the state highways and transportation commission is authorized to enter into highway design-build project contracts. The authority granted to the state highways and transportation commission by this section shall be limited to a total of three design-build project contracts. Design-build projects authorized by this section shall be selected by the highways and transportation commission from 1992 fifteen year plan projects. Authority to enter into design-build projects granted by this section shall expire on July 1, 2012, unless extended by statute or upon completion of three projects , whichever is first.

2. For the purpose of this section a "design-builder" is defined as an individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity, including combinations of such entities making a proposal to perform or performing a design-build highway project contract.

3. For the purpose of this section, "design-build highway project contract" is defined as the procurement of all materials and services necessary for the design, construction, reconstruction or improvement of a state highway project in a single contract with a design-builder capable of providing the necessary materials and services.

4. For the purpose of this section, "highway project" is defined as the design, construction, reconstruction or improvement of highways or bridges under contract with the state highways and transportation commission, which is funded by state, federal or local funds or any combination of such funds.

5. In using a design-build highway project contract, the commission shall establish a written procedure by rule for prequalifying design-builders before such design-builders will be allowed to make a proposal on the project.

6. In any design-build highway project contract, whether involving state or federal funds, the commission shall require that each person submitting a request for qualifications provide a detailed disadvantaged business enterprise participation plan. The plan shall provide information describing the experience of the person in meeting disadvantaged business enterprise participation goals, how the person will meet the department of transportation's disadvantaged business enterprise participation goal and such other qualifications that the commission considers to be in the best interest of the state.

7. The commission is authorized to issue a request for proposals to a maximum of five design-builders prequalified in accordance with subsection 5 of this section.

8. The commission may require approval of any person performing subcontract work on the design-build highway project.

9. The bid bond and performance bond requirements of section 227.100 and the payment bond requirements of section 107.170, RSMo, shall apply to the design-build highway project.

10. The commission is authorized to prescribe the form of the contracts for the work.

11. The commission is empowered to make all final decisions concerning the performance of the work under the design-build highway project contract, including claims for additional time and compensation.

12. The provisions of sections 8.285 to 8.291, RSMo, shall not apply to the procurement of architectural, engineering or land surveying services for the design-build highway project, except that any person providing architectural, engineering or land surveying services for the design-builder on the design-build highway project must be licensed in Missouri to provide such services.

13. The commission shall pay a reasonable stipend to prequalified responsive design-builders who submit a proposal, but are not awarded the design-build highway project.

14. The commission shall comply with the provisions of any act of congress or any regulations of any federal administrative agency which provides and authorizes the use of federal funds for highway projects using the design-build process.

15. The commission shall promulgate administrative rules to implement this section or to secure federal funds. Such rules shall be published for comment in the Missouri Register and shall include prequalification criteria, the make-up of the prequalification review team, specifications for the design criteria package, the method of advertising, receiving and evaluating proposals from design-builders, the criteria for awarding the design-build highway project based on the design criteria package and a separate proposal stating the cost of construction, and other methods, procedures and criteria necessary to administer this section.

16. The commission shall make a status report to the members of the general assembly and the governor following the award of the design-build project, as an individual component of the annual report submitted by the commission to the joint transportation oversight committee in accordance with the provisions of section 21.795, RSMo. The annual report prior to advertisement of the design-build highway project contracts shall state the goals of the project in reducing costs and/or the time of completion for the project in comparison to the design-bid-build method of construction and objective measurements to be utilized in determining achievement of such goals. Subsequent annual reports shall include: the time estimated for design and construction of different phases or segments of the project and the actual time required to complete such work during the period; the amount of each progress payment to the design- builder during the period and the percentage and a description of the portion of the project completed regarding such payment; the number and a description of design change orders issued during the period and the cost of each such change order; upon substantial and final completion, the total cost of the design-build highway project with a breakdown of costs for design and construction; and such other measurements as specified by rule. The annual report immediately after final completion of the project shall state an assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of the design-build method of contracting for highway and bridge projects in comparison to the design-bid-build method of contracting and an assessment of whether the goals of the project in reducing costs and/or the time of completion of the project were met.

17. The commission shall give public notice of a request for qualifications in at least two public newspapers that are distributed wholly or in part in this state and at least one construction industry trade publication that is distributed nationally.

18. The commission shall publish its cost estimates of the design-build highway project award and the project completion date along with its public notice of a request for qualifications of the design-build project.

19. If the commission fails to receive at least two responsive submissions from design-builders considered qualified, submissions shall not be opened and it shall readvertise the project.

234.032. 1. The general assembly may annually appropriate up to one million dollars from the state revenue fund to fund a project to upgrade nonstate highway system bridges. Moneys so appropriated shall be transferred to the department of transportation, which shall administer the project. Moneys appropriated for this project shall be kept separate from all other funds of the department and shall be expended for the purposes specified in this section and for no other purpose. The department shall establish procedures to ensure accountability for the project funds and shall submit an annual report and such information as the governor may require concerning the activity of the project funds.

2. The department shall establish appropriate procedures, in accordance with the purposes of this section for selection of project bridges. The department shall utilize one of the innovation centers authorized by section 348.271, RSMo, as the contracting organization for this project.

3. Moneys from the project funds shall be used for the analysis and reinforcement of existing nonstate highway system bridges that require strengthening to eliminate load posting. No bridges that are currently under the responsibility for repair or maintenance by the department of transportation shall be eligible for this project.

4. The project shall utilize the center for infrastructure engineering studies at the University of Missouri-Rolla for selection of the applicable bridges that can be strengthened and the lifespan extended by use of technology that has been developed and tested there. The selection shall be approved by the department of transportation. The selection of bridges shall consider the following criteria:

(1) Those bridges whose usage has been seriously hampered by load posting;

(2) Those bridges that have been approved by the local authority to be included in this project;

(3) Those bridges for which the technology can restore the strength requirements to lift the load posting;

(4) Those bridges that restoration can provide the greatest local economic impact; and

(5) Those bridges that, combined together, provide the best overall impact on the state.

5. The center for infrastructure engineering studies at the University of Missouri-Rolla shall create and lead an industry consortium to perform the structural analysis and technology application required for the strengthening of the selected bridges, create the required technical data, and provide technology transfer to local communities.

6. The University of Missouri-Rolla shall match every two dollars appropriated with this project pursuant to this section with one dollar from its operating funds. Additional funding for this project may come from:

(1) Local county, city, and/or townships;

(2) Transportation districts;

(3) Federal government; and

(4) Private contributions.

7. For the University of Missouri-Rolla, only those expenses which are usually and customarily attendant to academic research shall be provided, including, without limitation, salaries of principal directors and assistants and the purchase of equipment and supplies. Moneys in the projects funds shall in no event be used to defray costs normally attributed to institutional overhead. The chargeability of any disputed item shall be determined by the department, and decisions of the department with respect to selection of applied projects shall be final.

8. Reasonable and necessary administrative costs for the solicitation and evaluation of projects proposals, and for the preparation of reports concerning the project funds, shall be chargeable to the project, subject to the approval of the department. All other expenses attendant to the administration of the project funs, including solicitation of private contributions and the administration of individual grants, shall be borne by the appropriate institution. All expenses charged to the project funds shall be itemized and shall be included in the department's annual report.

302.720. 1. Except when operating under an instruction permit as described in this section, no person may drive a commercial motor vehicle unless the person has been issued a commercial driver's license with applicable endorsements valid for the type of vehicle being operated as specified in sections 302.700 to 302.780. A commercial driver's instruction permit shall allow the holder of a valid license to operate a commercial motor vehicle when accompanied by the holder of a commercial driver's license valid for the vehicle being operated and who occupies a seat beside the individual, or reasonably near the individual in the case of buses, for the purpose of giving instruction in driving the commercial motor vehicle. A commercial driver's instruction permit shall be valid for the vehicle being operated for a period of not more than six months, and shall not be issued until the permit holder has met all other requirements of sections 302.700 to 302.780, except for the driving test. A permit holder, unless otherwise disqualified, may be granted one six-month renewal within a one-year period. The fee for such permit or renewal shall be five dollars. In the alternative, a commercial driver's instruction permit shall be issued for a thirty-day period to allow the holder of a valid driver's license to operate a commercial motor vehicle if the applicant has completed all other requirements except the driving test. The permit may be renewed for one additional thirty-day period and the fee for the permit and for renewal shall be five dollars.

2. No person may be issued a commercial driver's license until he has passed written and driving tests for the operation of a commercial motor vehicle which complies with the minimum federal standards established by the secretary and has satisfied all other requirements of the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 (Title XII of Pub. Law 99-570), as well as any other requirements imposed by state law. Applicants for a hazardous materials endorsement must also meet the requirements of the U.S. Patriot Act of 2001 (Title X of Pub. Law 107-56) as specified and required by regulations promulgated by the secretary. Nothing contained in this subsection shall be construed as prohibiting the director from establishing alternate testing formats for those who are functionally illiterate; provided, however, that any such alternate test must comply with the minimum requirements of the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 (Title XII of Pub. Law 99-570) as established by the secretary.

(1) The written and driving tests shall be held at such times and in such places as the director may designate. A five-dollar examination fee shall be paid by the applicant upon completion of any written or driving test. The director shall delegate the power to conduct the examinations required under sections 302.700 to 302.780 to any member of the highway patrol or any person employed by the highway patrol qualified to give driving examinations.

(2) The director shall adopt and promulgate rules and regulations governing the certification of third-party testers by the department of revenue. Such rules and regulations shall substantially comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 383, Section 383.75. A certification to conduct third-party testing shall be valid for one year, and the department shall charge a fee of one hundred dollars to issue or renew the certification of any third-party tester. Any third-party tester who violates any of the rules and regulations adopted and promulgated pursuant to this section shall be subject to having his certification revoked by the department. The department shall provide written notice and an opportunity for the third-party tester to be heard in substantially the same manner as provided in chapter 536, RSMo. If any applicant submits evidence that he has successfully completed a test administered by a third-party tester, the actual driving test for a commercial driver's license may then be waived.

(3) Every applicant for renewal of a commercial driver's license shall provide such certifications and information as required by the secretary and if such person transports a hazardous material must also meet the requirements of the U.S. Patriot Act of 2001 (Title X of Pub. Law 107-56) as specified and required by regulations promulgated by the secretary, such person shall be required to take the written test for such endorsement. A five-dollar examination fee shall be paid for each test taken.

3. The director may waive the driving test for a commercial driver's license if such applicant provides the certifications required by regulations established by the secretary as a substitute for the driving test and holds a valid license.

4. The certifications may include, but not be limited to, stating that during the two-year period immediately prior to applying for a commercial driver's license the applicant:

(1) Has not had more than one license;

(2) Has not had any license suspended, revoked, canceled or disqualified;

(3) Has not had a conviction in any type of motor vehicle for driving while intoxicated, driving while under the influence of alcohol or controlled substance, leaving the scene of an accident or felony involving the use of a commercial motor vehicle;

(4) Has not violated any state law or county or municipal ordinance relating to the operation of a motor vehicle in connection with an accident; and

(5) Has no record of an accident in which such applicant was at fault.

5. In order to be valid as a certification exempting the applicant from the driving test, the applicant shall also provide evidence and certify that:

(1) He is regularly employed in a job requiring him to drive a commercial motor vehicle; and

(2) He has previously taken and passed a driving test given by a state with a classified licensing and testing system, and that the test was behind the wheel in a representative vehicle for that applicant's license classification; or

(3) He has operated, for at least two years immediately preceding application for a commercial driver's license, a vehicle representative of the commercial motor vehicle the applicant drives or expects to drive.

6. A commercial driver's license may not be issued to a person while the person is disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle, when a disqualification is pending in any state or while the person's driver's license is suspended, revoked, or canceled in any state; nor may a commercial driver's license be issued unless the person first surrenders in a manner prescribed by the director any commercial driver's license issued by another state, which license shall be returned to the issuing state for cancellation.

304.001. As used in this chapter and chapter 307, RSMo, the following terms shall mean:

(1) "Abandoned property", any unattended motor vehicle, trailer, all-terrain vehicle, outboard motor or vessel removed or subject to removal from public or private property as provided in sections 304.155 and 304.157, whether or not operational or any motor vehicle involved in an accident whereby a law enforcement official requests such vehicle to be removed from the scene because the operator or owner is unable to arrange for the abandoned property's timely removal;

(2) "Commercial vehicle enforcement officers", employees of the Missouri state highway patrol who are not members of the patrol but who are appointed by the superintendent of the highway patrol to enforce the laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to commercial vehicles, trailers, special mobile equipment and drivers of such vehicles;

(3) "Commercial vehicle inspectors", employees of the Missouri state highway patrol who are not members of the patrol but who are appointed by the superintendent of the highway patrol to supervise or operate permanent or portable weigh stations in the enforcement of commercial vehicle laws;

(4) "Commission", the state highways and transportation commission;

(5) "Department", the state transportation department;

(6) "Freeway", a divided state highway with four or more lanes, with no access to the throughways except the established interchanges and with no at-grade crossings;

(7) "Interstate highway", a state highway included in the national system of interstate highways located within the boundaries of Missouri, as officially designated or as may be hereafter designated by the state highways and transportation commission with the approval of the Secretary of Transportation, pursuant to Title 23, U.S.C., as amended;

(8) "Members of the patrol", the superintendent, lieutenant colonel, majors, captains, director of radio, lieutenants, sergeants, corporals and patrolmen of the Missouri state highway patrol;

(9) "Off-road vehicle", any vehicle designed for or capable of cross-country travel on or immediately over land, water, ice, snow, marsh, swampland, or other natural terrain without benefit of a road or trail:

(a) Including, without limitation, the following:

a. Jeeps;

b. All-terrain vehicles;

c. Dune buggies;

d. Multiwheel drive or low-pressure tire vehicles;

e. Vehicle using an endless belt, or tread or treads, or a combination of tread and low-pressure tires;

f. Motorcycles, trail bikes, minibikes and related vehicles;

g. Any other means of transportation deriving power from any source other than muscle or wind; and

(b) Excluding the following:

a. Registered motorboats;

b. Aircraft;

c. Any military, fire or law enforcement vehicle;

d. Farm-type tractors and other self-propelled equipment for harvesting and transporting farm or forest products;

e. Any vehicle being used for farm purposes, earth moving, or construction while being used for such purposes on the work site;

f. Self-propelled lawnmowers, or lawn or garden tractors, or golf carts, while being used exclusively for their designed purpose; and

g. Any vehicle being used for the purpose of transporting a handicapped person;

(10) "Person", any natural person, corporation, or other legal entity;

(11) "Right-of-way", the entire width of land between the boundary lines of a state highway, including any roadway;

(12) "Roadway", that portion of a state highway ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the berm or shoulder;

(13) "State highway", a highway constructed or maintained by the state highways and transportation commission with the aid of state funds or United States government funds, or any highway included by authority of law in the state highway system, including all right-of-way;

(14) "Towing company", any person or entity which tows, removes or stores abandoned property;

(15) "Urbanized area", an area with a population of fifty thousand or more designated by the Bureau of the Census, within boundaries to be fixed by the state highways and transportation commission and local officials in cooperation with each other and approved by the Secretary of Transportation. The boundary of an urbanized area shall, at a minimum, encompass the entire urbanized area as designed by the Bureau of the Census.

304.190. 1. No motor vehicle, unladen or with load, operating exclusively within the corporate limits of cities containing seventy-five thousand inhabitants or more or within two miles of the corporate limits of the city or within the commercial zone of the city shall exceed fifteen feet in height.

2. No motor vehicle operating exclusively within any said area shall have a greater weight than twenty-two thousand four hundred pounds on one axle. 3. The "commercial zone" of the city is defined to mean that area within the city together with the territory extending one mile beyond the corporate limits of the city and one mile additional for each fifty thousand population or portion thereof provided, however, the commercial zone surrounding a city not within a county shall extend eighteen miles beyond the corporate limits of any such city not located within a county and shall also extend throughout any first class charter county which adjoins that city; further, provided, however, the commercial zone of a city with a population of at least four hundred thousand inhabitants but not more than four hundred fifty thousand inhabitants shall extend [twelve] fifteen miles beyond the corporate limits of any such city. In no case shall the commercial zone of a city be reduced due to a loss of population. The provisions of this section shall not apply to motor vehicles operating on the interstate highways in the area beyond two miles of a corporate limit of the city unless the United States Department of Transportation increases the allowable weight limits on the interstate highway system within commercial zones. In such case, the mileage limits established in this section shall be automatically increased only in the commercial zones to conform with those authorized by the United States Department of Transportation.

4. Nothing in this section shall prevent a city, county, or municipality, by ordinance, from designating the routes over which such vehicles may be operated.

304.370. 1. For the purpose of this section, hazardous materials shall be defined pursuant to Part 397, Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, as adopted and amended.

2. No person shall transport hazardous materials in or through any highway tunnel in this state. For purposes of this section, a tunnel shall be defined as a horizontal subterranean passageway through or under an obstruction of a length of one hundred yards or more.

3. No person shall park a vehicle containing hazardous materials within three hundred feet of any highway tunnel in this state except as provided pursuant to Part 397, Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, as such regulations have been and may periodically be amended.

4. Any person who is found or pleads guilty to a violation of this section shall be guilty of a class B misdemeanor. Any person who is found or pleads guilty to a second or subsequent violation of this section shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor. Violations of this section shall be enforced pursuant to section 390.201, RSMo.

305.230. 1. The state highways and transportation commission shall administer an aeronautics program within this state. The [state] commission shall encourage, foster and participate with the political subdivisions of this state in the promotion and development of aeronautics. The [state] commission may provide financial assistance in the form of grants from funds appropriated for such purpose to any political subdivision or instrumentality of this state acting independently or jointly or to the owner or owners of any privately owned airport designated as a reliever by the Federal Aviation Administration for the planning, acquisition, construction, improvement or maintenance of airports, or for other aeronautical purposes.

2. Any political subdivision or instrumentality of this state or the owner or owners of any privately owned airport designated as a reliever by the Federal Aviation Administration receiving state funds for the purchase, construction, or improvement, except maintenance, of an airport shall agree before any funds are paid to it to control by ownership or lease the airport for a period equal to the useful life of the project as determined by the [state] commission following the last payment of state or federal funds to it. In the event an airport authority ceases to exist for any reason, this obligation shall be carried out by the governing body which created the authority.

3. Unless otherwise provided, grants to political subdivisions, instrumentalities or to the owner or owners of any privately owned airport designated as a reliever by the Federal Aviation Administration shall be made from the aviation trust fund. In making grants, the commission shall consider whether the local community has given financial support to the airport in the past. Priority shall be given to airports with local funding for the past five years with no reduction in such funding. The aviation trust fund is a revolving trust fund exempt from the provisions of section 33.080, RSMo, relating to the transfer of funds to the general revenue funds of the state by the state treasurer. All interest earned upon the balance in the aviation trust fund shall be deposited to the credit of the same fund.

4. The moneys in the aviation trust fund shall be administered by the [state] commission and, when appropriated, shall be used for the following purposes:

(1) As matching funds on an up to [eighty] ninety percent [state/twenty] state/ten percent local basis, except in the case where federal funds are being matched, when the ratio of state and local funds used to match the federal funds shall be fifty percent state/fifty percent local:

(a) For preventive maintenance of runways, taxiways and aircraft parking areas, and for emergency repairs of the same;

(b) For the acquisition of land for the development and improvement of airports;

(c) For the earthwork and drainage necessary for the construction, reconstruction or repair of runways, taxiways, and aircraft parking areas;

(d) For the construction, or restoration of runways, taxiways, or aircraft parking areas;

(e) For the acquisition of land or easements necessary to satisfy Federal Aviation Administration safety requirements;

(f) For the identification, marking or removal of natural or manmade obstructions to airport control zone surfaces and safety areas;

(g) For the installation of runway, taxiway, boundary, ramp, or obstruction lights, together with any work directly related to the electrical equipment;

(h) For the erection of fencing on or around the perimeter of an airport;

(i) For purchase, installation or repair of air navigational and landing aid facilities and communication equipment;

(j) For engineering related to a project funded under the provisions of this section and technical studies or consultation related to aeronautics;

(k) For airport planning projects including master plans and site selection for development of new airports, for updating or establishing master plans and airport layout plans at existing airports;

(l) For the purchase, installation, or repair of safety equipment and such other capital improvements and equipment as may be required for the safe and efficient operation of the airport;

(2) As total funds, with no local match:

(a) For providing air markers, windsocks, and other items determined to be in the interest of the safety of the general flying public;

(b) For the printing and distribution of state aeronautical charts and state airport directories on an annual basis, and a newsletter on a quarterly basis or the publishing and distribution of any public interest information deemed necessary by the [state] commission;

(c) For the conducting of aviation safety workshops;

(d) For the promotion of aerospace education;

(3) As total funds with no local match, up to five hundred thousand dollars per year may be used for the cost of operating existing air traffic control towers that do not receive funding from the Federal Aviation Administration or the United States Department of Defense, except no more than one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars per year may be used for any individual control tower.

5. In the event of a natural or manmade disaster which closes any runway or renders inoperative any electronic or visual landing aid at an airport, any funds appropriated for the purpose of capital improvements or maintenance of airports may be made immediately available for necessary repairs once they are approved by the [Missouri department of transportation] commission. For projects designated as emergencies by the [Missouri department of transportation] commission, all requirements relating to normal procurement of engineering and construction services are waived.

6. As used in this section, the term "instrumentality of the state" shall mean any state educational institution as defined in section 176.010, RSMo, or any state agency which owned or operated an airport on January 1, 1997, and continues to own or operate such airport.

Section B. Because aesthetic highways and right-of-ways are important to Missouri citizens, sections 226.540, 226.550 and 226.585 of this act are deemed necessary for the immediate preservation of the public health, welfare, peace and safety, and is hereby declared to be an emergency act within the meaning of the constitution, and sections 226.540, 226.550 and 226.585 of this act shall be in full force and effect upon its passage and approval.

Return to Senate Home Page