HCS/SCS/SB 714 - This act modifies various provisions relating to the regulation of motor vehicles. This act modifies definition of recreational off-highway vehicle as found in Section 301.010. The act modifies the definition by increasing the width and weight limit of the vehicle. The width of a recreational off-highway vehicle is increased from 60 inches to 64 inches and the unladen dry weight of the vehicle is increased from 1,850 pounds to 2000 pounds (Section 301.010).
Under the act, recreational off-highway vehicles shall not be operated on highways except for:
(1) Governmental owned and operated recreational off-highway vehicles for official use;
(2) Recreational off-highway vehicles operated for agricultural purposes or industrial on-premise purposes between sunrise and sunset;
(3) Recreational off-highway vehicles operated within three miles of the operator's primary residence;
(4) Recreational off-highway vehicles operated occasionally by handicapped persons for short distances only on the state secondary roads between the hours of sunrise and sunset.
Under the act, no person shall operate a utility vehicle in a careless way so as to endanger the person or property of another or while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance.
No person shall operate a recreational off-highway vehicle within any stream or river except by an operator who owns the property or has permission to be on the property on which the waterway flows through or when fording a low-water crossing.
A person operating a recreational off-highway vehicle on a highway shall have a valid operator's or chauffeur's license.
Under the terms of the act, an individual shall not operate a recreational off-highway vehicle upon on a highway in this state without displaying a lighted headlamp and a lighted tail lamp. A person may not operate a recreational off-highway vehicle upon a highway of this state unless such person wears a seat belt. When operated on a highway, a recreational off-highway vehicle shall be equipped with a roll bar or roll cage construction to reduce the risk of injury to an occupant of the vehicle in case of the vehicle's rollover. A violation of this provision is a Class C misdemeanor (Section 304.033).
LICENSING OF TOWING COMPANIES - This act requires towing companies to be licensed by the division of professional registration. The act prohibits local governments from contracting with towing companies that are not licensed with the division. The act also requires towing companies to have a lot of enclosed building of at least 2,000 square feet, including fencing of at least 6 feet high. The act requires towing companies to maintain regular business hours from 8 am to 5 pm. The act also impose minimum liability insurance requirements upon towing companies. The act requires tow drivers to be certified by the Towing and Recovery Association of America (TRAA). The act sets forth the minimum certification levels. This provision can also be found in HCS/SS/SCS/SB 470 (Section 304.154).
GROSS WEIGHT LIMITATION FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES - Under current law, the total gross weight of a vehicle or combination of vehicles hauling livestock on U. S. Highway 36 from St. Joseph to U. S. Highway 65 and on U. S. Highway 65 from the Iowa state line to U. S. Highway 36 cannot exceed 85,500 pounds. This act expands the gross weight limitation on U.S. Highway 36 from U.S. Highway 65 to U.S. Highway 63. The act further applies the gross weight limitation exception to U.S. Highway 63, from the Iowa state line to U.S. Highway 36. This provision is similar to one contained in HCS/SB 568 (2012)(section 304.180).
STEPHEN WITTE