SB 107 - This act imposes various regulations (hours of operation, driver alcohol and drug testing, review and maintenance of driving records, maintenance and repair standards on transport vehicles, liability insurance standards, etc.) on contract carriers that transport railroad employees.DRIVER QUALIFICATION FILE - Under the terms of this act, a contract carrier must maintain a driver qualification file for each driver it employs. The act sets forth what the driver qualification file must include. For example, the file must include a certificate of physical examination conducted by a physician every 2 years that certifies the physical ability of the driver to operate a commercial motor vehicle and any documentation related to the driver's violation of motor vehicle laws or ordinances
DRIVER DISQUALIFICATIONS BASED UPON DRIVING RECORD - Under the terms of the act, a driver shall be disqualified from driving for a contract carrier if the driver has committed two or more serious traffic violations within a three-year period. The act defines what constitutes a serious traffic violation.
HOURS OF OPERATION -Under this act, contract carriers shall not allow drivers to be on duty for more than 10 hours after eight consecutive hours off duty; 15 hours of combined on-duty time and drive time since last obtaining eight consecutive hours of off-duty time; or for more than 70 hours of on-duty time in a period of eight consecutive days. Contract carriers must keep accurate reports of drivers on-duty and off-duty time periods for at least six months.
ALCOHOL AND DRUG TESTING - Before any driver performs any duties for the contract carrier, the driver must undergo testing for alcohol and controlled substances as provided under federal regulations. A driver is disqualified to drive if the individual fails certain drug and alcohol testing requirements; refuses to provide a specimen for an alcohol test result or controlled substances test result or both; or submits an adulterated specimen, a dilute positive specimen, or a substituted specimen on an alcohol test result or the controlled substances test result that is performed. A common carrier or the employer must maintain records of the alcohol testing and controlled substances testing of drivers for a period of five years. Contract carrier must conduct drug and alcohol testing on drivers involved in certain types of accidents and submit the results to the Department of Transportation.
MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTIONS - If a contract carrier uses a commercial motor vehicle for passenger transportation, the contract carrier shall perform an inspection on the commercial motor vehicle and its components at least one time in every twelve-month period in compliance with federal rules. Under the act, a drivers must complete a written motor vehicle report upon completion of each day's work on the motor vehicle that the driver operated.
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR - Under the act, a contract carrier must establish a maintenance and repair program. A contract carrier's maintenance and repair program must include checking parts and accessories for safety and proper operation at all times and overall cleanliness of the motor vehicle. The act sets forth what the motor vehicle must have (spare tire, emergency road kit, first aid kit, etc.). A contract carrier must maintain records for its maintenance and repair program for each motor vehicle. The records must be maintained by the contract carrier at its place of business for one year. If the motor vehicle leaves the contract carrier's control, the records shall be maintained by the contract carrier at its place of business for six months.
ACCESS TO FACILITIES AND RECORDS - Contract carriers must allow employees of the Missouri department of transportation access to their facilities and records to determine compliance with the act.
INSURANCE - The act requires each contract carrier to obtain and maintain an insurance policy of $5,000,000 for each motor vehicle that transports railroad employees.
CIVIL PENALTIES - Under the act, any person, corporation, or entity who violates any provision of the act shall be subject to a civil penalty in an amount of not more than two thousand dollars for each offense or violation.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY - The act authorizes the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission to promulgate rules and regulations to implement and administer the provisions of the act.
EMERGENCY CLAUSE - The act contains an emergency clause.
This act is virtually identical to SB 762 (2010).
STEPHEN WITTE