- Perfected -

SS/SS/SCS/SBs 970, 968, 921, 867, 868 & 738 - This act removes the 2008 sunset on the 6-cent gas tax (Section 142.803) and eliminates the requirement that road projects be bid in sections not to exceed 10 miles (Section 227.100).

The act also authorizes MoDOT to enter into three pilot design-build projects (Section 227.107). The design-build projects shall be selected from 1992 fifteen year plan projects. The authority to enter into such projects shall expire on July 1, 2012, unless extended (SA 14).

This act removes the cap on the amount of aviation jet tax revenues which may be deposited in the Aviation Trust Fund. Current law only permits $5 million of the aviation jet fuel tax revenues to be placed in the fund. This act also extends the sunset on the aviation jet fuel tax section to December 31, 2008 (Section 144.805). Under current law, the commission may match state funds at a 80% level and locals at a 20% level. This is changed to a 90/10 formula (section 305.230). This act also modifies the language regarding the deposit of unclaimed aviation fuel refunds. The current law states that "If any person 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 new language simply states that the refund amount will be deposited in such fund.

This act prohibits persons from transporting hazardous materials through highway tunnels. This act also prohibits parking vehicles containing hazardous materials within 300 feet of a highway tunnel unless allowed by federal regulations. Violation of this act is a Class B misdemeanor for the first offense, and a Class A misdemeanor for a second or subsequent offense (section 304.370).

This act requires applicants for commercial driver's licenses to comply with the requirements of the U.S. Patriot Act of 2001 (SA 2).

This act expands the commercial zone around Kansas City from 12 miles to 15 miles for truck weight limitation purposes. This is similar to SB 805 (2002)(SA 7).

This act authorizes the General Assembly to appropriate up to $1 million annually from General Revenues to upgrade nonstate highway system bridges. The Department of Transportation shall administer the project. MoDOT shall utilize one of the innovation centers authorized by Section 348.271, RSMo, as the contracting organization for the project. Moneys from the fund shall be used for the analysis and reinforcement of existing nonstate highway bridges that require strengthening to eliminate load posting. Bridges which are currently under the responsibility for repair or maintenance by MoDOT shall not be eligible for the project. The project shall utilize the Center for Infrastructure Engineering Studies at the University of Missouri - Rolla for the selection of bridges that can be strengthened by the use of technology that has been developed there. The center shall also create and lead an industry consortium to perform the structural analysis and technology application required for the strengthening of the selected bridges. The University of Missouri - Rolla shall match every $2 appropriated with $1 from its operating funds (SA 11).

This act modifies the definition of abandoned property to include any motor vehicle involved in an accident whereby the 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 (SA 12).

This act allows the Department of Transportation to contract with private individuals to mow and maintain the rights- of-way.

This act increases the fees collected by non-Department of Revenue offices for biennial licenses issued and for six year licenses. The fees for licenses renewed biennially are increased from $4.00 to $5.00 beginning August 28, 2002. Beginning July 1, 2003, licenses renewed annually are increased from $2.50 to $3.50 and biennial licenses are increased from $5.00 to $7.50. Beginning July 1, 2003, fees for six-year driver's licenses are increased from $4 to $5. Beginning July 1, 2003, this act requires all Department of Revenue branch offices to collect the same fees charged by fee offices.

BILLBOARD REVISIONS - This act updates requirements of federal law to include primaries as of June 1, 1991. This act specifically allows Tri-vision, projection and changeable message signs to be subject to MoDOT regulations. This act allows cutouts and extensions on nonconforming signs. This act makes existing stacked signs legal nonconforming. When stacked signs were prohibited in 1999, the statute provided that existing signs were not conforming which meant they could be rebuilt. By making existing signs legal nonconforming, the signs could be phased out over time as they need replacing. This act adopts a minimum of 1,400 feet (up from 500 feet) spacing between signs on all primary and interstate highways. This act modifies the definition of "unzoned commercial and industrial land" by expanding the commercial activity area from 600 feet to 750 feet on either side of a qualifying business. This act allows billboards in areas zoned agricultural if they meet certain requirements (SA 18). This act eliminates the opposite side of the road as part of the unzoned commercial areas on primaries and interstates.

The act requires business to have the presence of an owner or employee on the premises for at least 20 hours per week to be considered a valid business when determining whether a property is commercial or industrial. This act increases original permit fee to erect a billboard from $28.50 to $200. This act increases biennial inspection fees to $50 on August 28, 2002, $75 on August 28, 2003, and $100 on August 28, 2004. This act allows for the non-compensated removal of billboards for failing to pay fees over 12 months. This act increases the amount of time to cure a billboard violation from 30 to 60 days. This act requires actual notice of a violation before removal of a sign. This act requires vegetation permits to be issued according to current MoDOT rules and regulations and allows certain utility companies to remove and trim vegetation without a permit.

STEPHEN WITTE