Bill Text: GA HB112 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Comm Sub

Georgia House Bill 112 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Motor carriers; financial responsibility compatible with federal regulations; provisions

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 5-0)

Status: (Passed) 2011-07-01 - Effective Date [HB112 Detail]

Download: Georgia-2011-HB112-Comm_Sub.html

11 HB112/SCSFA/1

SENATE SUBSTITUTE TO HB 112

AS PASSED SENATE

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend provisions of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Department of Public Safety; to amend Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to offenses against public order and safety, so as to change a cross-reference; to amend Article 1 of Chapter 6 of Title 17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to bonds and recognizances, so as to add violations for which cash bonds can be accepted in lieu of bail and proceedings for failure to appear; to amend Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor vehicles and traffic, so as to designate the existing provisions of Chapter 1 as Article 1; to update definitions to make them compatible with federal motor carrier safety regulations; to provide for safe operations of motor carriers and commercial motor vehicles; to enact a new Article 2 of said Chapter 1, the "Transportation of Hazardous Materials Act," so as to provide procedures for the safe transportation of hazardous materials within this state; to provide for seminars on operation and safety for motor carriers; to ensure that the financial responsibility requirements of motor carriers in this state are compatible with federal motor carrier safety regulations; to change certain equipment requirements for the lighting equipment and warning flags for protruding loads, brake performance ability, rear view mirrors, window tinting, and tire tread depth on commercial motor vehicles to make them compatible with federal motor carrier safety regulations; to amend Title 46 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to public utilities and public transportation, so as to modify, repeal, and create certain definitions; to clarify the applicability of safety regulations to vehicles operated within corporate limits of a city; to provide for fees; to correct an internal reference; to repeal Code Sections 46-7-26 and 46-7-37, relating to promulgation of rules and exceptions for private carriers; to provide for penalties; to provide for limousine inspections; to repeal Chapter 11 of said Title 46, relating to transportation of hazardous materials; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to offenses against public order and safety, is amended by revising paragraph (3) of subsection (a) of Code Section 16-11-111, relating to possession of anhydrous ammonia, as follows:

"(3) A person who violates subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of this subsection shall be subject to civil penalties in accordance with Code Section 40-16-6 40-1-23."

SECTION 2.

Article 1 of Chapter 6 of Title 17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding bonds and recognizances, is amended by revising Code Section 17-6-5, relating to acceptance of cash bonds for violations relating to motor vehicles, as follows:

"17-6-5.

Any sheriff, deputy sheriff, county peace officer, or other county officer charged with the duty of enforcing the laws of this state relating to:

(1) Traffic traffic or the operation or licensing of motor vehicles or operators;

(2) The the width, height, or length of vehicles and loads;

(3) Motor motor common carriers and motor contract carriers;

(4) Commercial vehicle or driver safety;

(5) Hazardous materials transportation;

(6) Motor carrier insurance or registration;

(7) Road road taxes on motor carriers as provided in Article 2 of Chapter 9 of Title 48;

(5)(8) Game game and fish;

(6)(9) Boating boating; or

(7)(10) Litter litter control

who makes an arrest outside the corporate limits of any municipality of this state for a violation of said laws and who is authorized, as provided herein by a court of record having jurisdiction over such offenses, to accept cash bonds may accept a cash bond from the person arrested in lieu of a statutory bond or recognizance. No such officer shall accept a cash bond unless he or she is authorized to receive cash bonds in such cases by an order of the court having jurisdiction over such offenses and unless such order has been entered on the minutes of the court. Any such order may be granted, revoked, or modified by the court at any time."

SECTION 3.

Said article is further amended by revising Code Section 17-6-8, relating to acceptance of cash bonds and proceedings upon the failure of a person to appear, as follows:

"17-6-8.

If any person arrested for a misdemeanor arising out of a violation of the laws of this state relating to:

(1) Traffic traffic or the operation or licensing of motor vehicles or operators;

(2) The the width, height, or length of vehicles and loads;

(3) Motor motor common carriers and motor contract carriers;

(4) Commercial vehicle or driver safety;

(5) Hazardous materials transportation;

(6) Motor carrier insurance or registration;

(7) Road road taxes on motor carriers as provided in Article 2 of Chapter 9 of Title 48;

(5)(8) Game game and fish;

(6)(9) Boating boating; or

(7)(10) Litter litter control

gives a cash bond for his or her appearance as provided in Code Section 17-6-5 and fails to appear on the date, time, and place specified in the citation or summons without legal excuse, the court may order said cash bond forfeited without the necessity of complying with the statutory procedure provided for in the forfeiture of statutory bail bonds. A judgment ordering the case disposed of and settled may be entered by the court and the proceeds shall be applied in the same manner as fines. If the court does not enter a judgment ordering the case disposed of and settled, the forfeiture of the cash bond shall not be a bar to subsequent prosecution of the person charged with the violation of such laws."

SECTION 4.

Said article is further amended by revising subsection (a) of Code Section 17-6-11, relating to use of a driver's license in lieu of bail, recognizance, or incarceration, as follows:

"(a) Any other laws to the contrary notwithstanding, any person who is apprehended by an officer for the violation of the laws of this state or ordinances relating to:

(1) Traffic traffic, including any offense under Code Section 40-5-72 or 40-6-10, but excepting any other offense for which a license may be suspended for a first offense by the commissioner of driver services, any offense covered under Code Section 40-5-54, or any offense covered under Article 15 of Chapter 6 of Title 40;

(2) The the licensing and registration of motor vehicles and operators;

(3) The the width, height, and length of vehicles and loads;

(4) Motor motor common carriers and motor contract carriers; or

(5) Commercial vehicle or driver safety;

(6) Hazardous materials transportation;

(7) Motor carrier insurance or registration; or

(8) Road road taxes on motor carriers as provided in Article 2 of Chapter 9 of Title 48

upon being served with the official summons issued by such apprehending officer, in lieu of being immediately brought before the proper magistrate, recorder, or other judicial officer to enter into a formal recognizance or make direct the deposit of a proper sum of money in lieu of a recognizance ordering incarceration, may display his or her driver's license to the apprehending officer in lieu of bail, in lieu of entering into a recognizance for his or her appearance for trial as set in the aforesaid summons, or in lieu of being incarcerated by the apprehending officer and held for further action by the appropriate judicial officer. The apprehending officer shall note the driver's license number on the official summons. The summons duly served as provided in this Code section shall give the judicial officer jurisdiction to dispose of the matter."

SECTION 5.

Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor vehicles and traffic, is amended by designating the existing provisions of Chapter 1, relating to general provisions regarding motor vehicles and traffic, as Article 1.

SECTION 6.

Said title is further amended by adding a new paragraph to Code Section 40-1-1, relating to definitions regarding motor vehicles and traffic, to read as follows:

"(18.1) 'Hazardous material' means a substance or material as designated pursuant to the Federal Hazardous Materials Law, 49 U.S.C. Section 5103(a)."

SECTION 7.

Said title is further amended in said Code Section 40-1-1 by renumbering current paragraph (24.1) as paragraph (24.2) and by adding a new paragraph (24.1) to read as follows:

"(24.1) 'Lightweight commercial vehicle' means a motor vehicle which does not meet the definition of a commercial motor vehicle and which, in the furtherance of a commercial enterprise:

(A) Is used to transport hazardous materials in a type and quantity for which placards are not required in accordance with the Hazardous Materials Regulations prescribed by the United States Department of Transportation, Title 49 C.F.R. Part 172, Subpart F, or compatible rules prescribed by the commissioner of public safety;

(B) Is used to transport property for compensation;

(D) Is a wrecker or tow truck."

SECTION 8.

Said title is further amended in said Code Section 40-1-1 by adding new paragraphs to read as follows:

"(28.1) 'Motor carrier' shall have the same meaning as provided for in Code Section 40-2-1, and the terms 'carrier' and 'motor carrier' are synonymous."

"(50.1) 'Regulatory compliance inspection' means the examination of facilities, property, buildings, vehicles, drivers, employees, cargo, packages, records, books, or supporting documentation kept or required to be kept in the normal course of business or enterprise operations."

"(76) 'Wrecker' means a vehicle designed, equipped, or used to tow or carry other motor vehicles by means of a hoist, crane, sling, lift, or roll-back or slide back platform, by a mechanism of a like or similar character, or by any combination thereof, and the terms 'tow truck' and 'wrecker' are synonymous."

SECTION 9.

Said title is further amended in Article 1 of Chapter 1 by adding a new Code section to read as follows:

"40-1-8.

(a) As used in this Code section, the term:

(1) 'Commissioner' means the commissioner of public safety.

(2) 'Department' means the Department of Public Safety.

(b) The commissioner shall have the authority to promulgate rules and regulations for the safe operation of motor carriers, the safe operation of commercial motor vehicles and drivers, and the safe transportation of hazardous materials. Any such rules and regulations promulgated or deemed necessary by the commissioner shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1) Every commercial motor vehicle and all parts thereof shall be maintained in a safe condition at all times; and the lights, brakes, and equipment shall meet such safety requirements as the commissioner shall from time to time promulgate;

(2) Every driver employed to operate a motor vehicle for a motor carrier shall be at least 18 years of age, meet the qualification requirements the commissioner shall from time to time promulgate, be of temperate habits and good moral character, possess a valid driver's license, not use or possess prohibited drugs or alcohol while on duty, and be fully competent and sufficiently rested to operate the motor vehicle under his or her charge;

(3) Accidents arising from or in connection with the operation of commercial motor vehicles shall be reported to the commissioner of transportation in such detail and in such manner as the commissioner of transportation may require;

(4) The commissioner shall require each commercial motor vehicle to have attached such distinctive markings as shall be adopted by the commissioner. Such identification requirements shall comply with the applicable provisions of the Federal Unified Carrier Registration Act of 2005; and

(5) The commissioner shall provide distinctive rules for the transportation of unmanufactured forest products in intrastate commerce to be designated the 'Georgia Forest Products Trucking Rules.'

(c)(1) Regulations governing the safe operations of motor carriers, commercial motor vehicles and drivers, and the safe transportation of hazardous materials may be adopted by administrative order, including, but not limited to, by referencing compatible federal regulations or standards without compliance with the procedural requirements of Chapter 13 of Title 50, the 'Georgia Administrative Procedure Act,' provided that such federal regulations or standards shall be maintained on file by the department and made available for inspection and copying by the public, by means including, but not limited to, posting on the department's Internet site. The commissioner may comply with the filing requirements of Chapter 13 of Title 50 by filing with the office of the Secretary of State the name and designation of such rules, regulations, standards, and orders. The courts shall take judicial notice of rules, regulations, standards, or orders so adopted or published.

(2) Rules, regulations, or orders previously adopted, issued, or promulgated pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 7 or 11 of Title 46 in effect on June 30, 2011, shall remain in full force and effect until such time as the commissioner of public safety adopts, issues, or promulgates new rules, regulations, or orders pursuant to the provisions of this Code section.

(d) The commissioner may, pursuant to rule or regulation, specify and impose civil monetary penalties for violations of laws, rules, and regulations relating to driver and motor carrier safety and transportation of hazardous materials. Except as may be hereafter authorized by law, the maximum amount of any such monetary penalty shall not exceed the maximum penalty authorized by law or rule or regulation for the same violation immediately prior to July 1, 2005.

(e) The commissioner is authorized to adopt such rules and orders as he or she may deem necessary in the enforcement of this Code section. Such rules and orders shall have the same dignity and standing as if such rules and orders were specifically provided in this Code section. The commissioner is authorized to establish such exceptions or exemptions from the requirements of this Code section, as he or she shall deem appropriate, consistent with any federal program requirements, and consistent with the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare.

(f)(1) The commissioner may designate members of the department, pursuant to Article 5 of Chapter 2 of Title 35 to perform regulatory compliance inspections. Members of county, municipal, campus, and other state agencies may be designated by the commissioner to perform regulatory compliance inspections only of vehicles, drivers, and cargo in operation, and may only enforce the provisions of rules and regulations promulgated under this Code section or Article 2 of this chapter subject to the provisions of a valid agreement between the commissioner and the county, municipal, campus, or other state agency.

(2) Unless designated and authorized by the commissioner, no members of county, municipal, campus, and other state agencies may perform regulatory compliance inspections.

(g) No person shall drive or operate, or cause the operation of, a vehicle in violation of an out-of-service order. As used in this subsection, the term 'out-of-service order' means a temporary prohibition against operating as a motor carrier or driving or moving a vehicle, freight container or any cargo thereon, or any package containing a hazardous material.

(h) Every officer, agent, or employee of any corporation and every person who violates or fails to comply with this Code section or any order, rule, or regulation adopted pursuant to this Code section, or who procures, aids, or abets a violation of this Code section or such rule or regulation, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Misdemeanor violations of this Code section may be prosecuted, handled, and disposed of in the manner provided for by Chapter 13 of this title."

SECTION 10.

Said title is further amended by adding a new article in Chapter 1 to read as follows:

"ARTICLE 2

40-1-20.

This article shall be known and may be cited as the 'Transportation of Hazardous Materials Act.'

40-1-21.

The General Assembly finds that the transportation of hazardous materials on the public roads of this state presents a unique and potentially catastrophic hazard to the public health, safety, and welfare of the people of Georgia and that the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare and the secure transportation of hazardous materials requires control and close regulation of such transportation to minimize that hazard and to that end this article is enacted. This is a remedial law and shall be liberally construed. The Department of Public Safety is designated as the agency to implement and enforce this article.

40-1-22.

As used in this article, the term:

(1) 'Anhydrous ammonia' means the materials identified as 'ammonia, anhydrous,' or 'ammonia solutions with more than 50 percent ammonia and relative density less than 0.880 at 15 degrees Centigrade in water,' in federal hazardous materials regulations contained in Title 49 C.F.R.

(2) 'C.F.R.' means the United States Code of Federal Regulations, as it may be amended from time to time in the Federal Register.

(3) 'Commissioner' means the commissioner of public safety.

(4) 'Department' means the Department of Public Safety.

(5) 'Liquefied natural gas' or 'LNG' means methane or natural gas in the form of a cryogenic or refrigerated liquid, as identified in federal hazardous materials regulations contained in Title 49 C.F.R.

(6) 'Permit' means an instrument of whatever character or nature including, but not limited to, electronic format, issued by the department pursuant to this article.

(7) 'Person,' in addition to the meaning provided in paragraph (43) of Code Section 40-1-1, means and includes any individual, corporation, partnership, association, state, municipality, political subdivision of a state, and any agency or instrumentality of the United States government, or any other entity and includes any officer, agent, or employee of any of the above, who offers, ships, or carries a hazardous material in the furtherance of a commercial or business enterprise, whether or not such transportation is for-hire, or who manufactures, fabricates, marks, maintains, reconditions, repairs, or tests packages designed, used, or intended for the transportation of hazardous materials.

(8) 'Polychlorinated biphenyl' or 'PCB' has the same meaning as the material identified in federal hazardous materials regulations contained in Title 49 C.F.R.

(9) 'Radioactive material' has the same meaning as the term is used in federal hazardous materials regulations contained in Title 49 C.F.R.

(10) 'Regulatory compliance inspection' means the examination of facilities, property, buildings, vehicles, equipment, drivers, employees, cargo, packaging, records, books, or supporting documentation kept or required to be kept in the normal course of offering or transporting hazardous materials, or in the normal course of manufacturing, fabricating, marking, maintaining, reconditioning, repairing, or testing packages designed, used, or intended for the transportation of hazardous materials.

(11) 'Shipper' means any person who arranges for, provides for, solicits a carrier for, consigns to a carrier for, or contracts with a carrier for shipment or transport of goods, property, or persons. The terms 'shipper' and 'offeror' are synonymous.

40-1-23.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, any person transporting, shipping, or offering for transportation hazardous material on the public roads of this state shall be subject to the requirements of this article. Persons who ship, offer, transport, or store incidental to transportation hazardous materials, or who manufacture, fabricate, mark, maintain, recondition, repair, or test packages used or intended for the transportation of hazardous materials, shall be deemed to have given consent to regulatory compliance inspections.

(b) No person, including the state or any agency thereof, shall transport hazardous material in, to, or through this state on the public roads of this state, whether or not the hazardous material is for delivery in this state and whether or not the transportation originated in this state; nor shall any person deliver in this state any hazardous material to any person for transportation; nor shall any such person accept any hazardous material for transportation in this state without compliance with the following requirements: such materials shall be packaged, marked, labeled, handled, loaded, unloaded, stored, detained, transported, placarded, certified, secured, and monitored in compliance with rules and regulations promulgated by the commissioner pursuant to this article and consistent with federal law. Compliance with such rules and regulations shall be in addition to and supplemental of other regulations of the United States Department of Energy, United States Department of Transportation, United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and state fire marshal, applicable to such persons.

(c)(1) The commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations such that no person shall arrange for the transportation of or cause to be transported in, to, or through this state on the public roads of this state any hazardous material unless such person shall notify the commissioner or his or her designee in accordance with such rules and regulations; provided, however, that such notification requirements shall comply with applicable federal hazardous materials transportation law.

(2) Prior to the transport of spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste, as those terms are defined in 42 U.S.C. Chapter 108 as amended by the Federal Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, the shipper shall notify the commissioner or his or her designee in the manner required by Title 10 C.F.R. Part 71 or Part 73.

(d) Knowledge by a shipper that a carrier proposes to transport hazardous material in or through this state on the public roads of this state shall be sufficient contact with this state to subject such shipper to the jurisdiction of the commissioner and the courts of this state with respect to such transport.

(e)(1) No transportation of hazardous material shall take place in or through this state until the commissioner or his or her designee issues a permit authorizing the applicant to operate or move upon the state's public roads a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles which carry hazardous materials. The commissioner or his or her designee may require changes in the proposed dates, times, routes, detention, holding, or storage of such materials during transport as necessary to maximize protection of the public health, safety, welfare, or the environment. The commissioner is authorized to promulgate reasonable rules and regulations which are necessary or desirable in governing the issuance of permits, provided that such rules and regulations are not in conflict with other provisions of law.

(2) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, pursuant to uniform permitting provisions of Federal Hazardous Materials Law, 49 U.S.C. Section 5119, the commissioner is authorized to adopt rules and regulations to bring state regulations into compliance with said federal law.

(f) Every such permit and all other documentation required by the commissioner shall be carried in the vehicles or combination of vehicles to which it refers and shall be open to inspection by any law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency responder, or employee of the department who has been given enforcement authority by the commissioner.

(g) For just cause, including, but not limited to, repeated and consistent past violations, the commissioner may refuse to issue or may cancel, suspend, or revoke the permit of an applicant or permittee.

(h)(1) The commissioner or the official designated by the commissioner, pursuant to this Code section and the rules and regulations developed by the commissioner, may issue annual permits which shall allow vehicles transporting hazardous materials to be operated on the public roads of this state for 12 months from the date such permit is issued.

(2) The commissioner or the official designated by the commissioner, pursuant to this Code section and the rules and regulations developed by the commissioner, may issue a single-trip permit to any vehicle.

(3) Pursuant to this article, the commissioner may charge a fee for the issuance of such permits and may develop and adopt an apportionment schedule for fees to be established by rules and regulations promulgated by the commissioner. The fee for the issuance of an annual trip permit shall be not more than $100.00.

(i) The commissioner may arrange for escorts or inspections which comply with Code Section 35-2-56 or 35-2-101.

(j) For purposes of this article, the commissioner is expressly authorized to contract with any other state or local agency or department to perform any activities necessary to implement this article. Enforcement of this article and any rules, regulations, or orders promulgated, adopted, or issued hereunder shall be the sole province of the department and those entities the commissioner authorizes in writing, except for provisions relating to anhydrous ammonia.

(k)(1) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this article, the commissioner is authorized to establish such exceptions or exemptions from the requirements of this article, or any provision hereof, for such kinds, quantities, types, or shipments of hazardous materials as he or she shall deem appropriate, consistent with the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare.

(2) Specifically, but without limitation, the commissioner shall continue in force the agricultural exceptions in 49 C.F.R. Section 173.5, and the tank exceptions in 49 C.F.R. Section 173.8, as originally adopted in Public Service Commission Appendix 'A' File MCA 1-3, Docket No. 16632-M, effective June 1, 1998.

(l) This article shall not apply to the transportation, delivery, or acceptance for delivery of radioactive materials inside the confines of a single contiguous authorized location of use of any person authorized to use, possess, transport, deliver, or store radioactive materials by the Department of Natural Resources pursuant to Chapter 13 of Title 31 or by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission; nor shall this article apply to the transportation, delivery, or acceptance for transportation of radioactive materials under the direction or supervision of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, United States Department of Energy, United States Department of Defense, or other federal agency authorized to possess or transport such material where such transportation, delivery, or acceptance for transportation is escorted by personnel designated by or under the authority of those agencies.

(m) This article shall not apply to interstate pipeline facilities which are subject to the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Transportation under the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968.

(n)(1) In the event of any damage to state property or any discharge of hazardous materials from the authorized shipping package or container or any threat of such discharge which results from the transportation, storage, holding, detention, delivery for transportation, or acceptance for transportation of hazardous materials in this state, the state may recover from any shipper, carrier, bailor, bailee, or any other person responsible for such storage, transportation, holding, detention, delivery, or acceptance all costs incurred by the state in the reparation of the damage and all costs incurred in the prevention, abatement, or removal of any such discharge or threatened discharge, including reasonable attorney's fees incurred with respect to recovery.

(2) The commissioner is expressly authorized to charge reasonable fees for time, equipment, materials, and supplies used or incurred by the department in the implementation of this article.

(3) The commissioner may issue civil penalties against any person found in violation of this article or any regulations promulgated or adopted for the safe and secure transportation of hazardous materials. Such penalties shall not exceed the limits established by 49 U.S.C. Chapter 51.

(o) Any person, firm, or corporation transporting methamphetamine, amphetamine, any mixture containing either methamphetamine or amphetamine, anhydrous ammonia, or any mixture containing anhydrous ammonia, shall be subject to all rules and regulations promulgated by the commissioner pursuant to this article governing the safe operation of motor vehicles and drivers and the safe transportation of hazardous materials.

(p) Notwithstanding the provisions of this Code section, the commissioner may impose civil monetary penalties in an amount not to exceed the maximum amounts for penalties established by 49 U.S.C. Chapter 51 for each violation of any rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to this article with respect to persons transporting methamphetamine, amphetamine, any mixture containing either methamphetamine or amphetamine, anhydrous ammonia, or any mixture containing anhydrous ammonia.

(q) The department is designated as the routing agency as defined in Title 49 C.F.R. Part 397, Subpart E. Routing determinations for hazardous materials shall be made in accordance with the provisions of Federal Hazardous Materials Law, 49 U.S.C. Section 5112. The commissioner or his or her designee shall consult with Georgia Department of Transportation, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Georgia Emergency Management Agency, Georgia Department of Homeland Security, or other agencies as necessary to carry out these responsibilities.

(r) Drivers who transport hazardous materials shall be trained at least to the minimum standards required by federal law. Upon request by the commissioner, proof of such federally required driver training shall be made available to the commissioner or his or her staff.

(s) For the transportation of spent nuclear fuel, high-level radioactive waste, and other hazardous materials, the commissioner may take action to ensure that motor vehicles, drivers, and packages used in such transportation have been inspected to show compliance with the federal motor carrier safety regulations and federal hazardous materials regulations, and compatible state regulations adopted pursuant to this article.

(t) Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, a bond or indemnity insurance required of carriers shall be established by rules and regulations of the commissioner and shall for all persons subject to this article, whether intrastate or interstate carriers, be at least in the maximum amount or amounts authorized or required by federal law or regulations.

(u) No person shall transport or cause the transportation of hazardous materials in violation of an out-of-service order.

(v) In addition to any other liability imposed by law, any person who violates or fails to comply with any provision of this article, or any rule, regulation, or order promulgated, adopted, or issued hereunder, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Misdemeanor violations of this article may be prosecuted, handled, and disposed of in the manner provided for by Chapter 13 of this title.

(w)(1) The commissioner is authorized and empowered to adopt, promulgate, amend, repeal, or modify such standards, rules, and regulations and to issue such orders, authorizations, or amendments or modifications thereof as are necessary to implement this article. Any standards, rules, or regulations adopted pursuant to this article, if consistent with the applicable laws relating to adoption of such standards, rules, or regulations, shall have the force and effect of law. Any such rules and regulations shall be compatible with federal motor carrier safety regulations and federal hazardous materials regulations in Title 49 C.F.R.

(2) Regulations governing the safe operations of motor carriers, commercial motor vehicles, and drivers and the safe and secure transportation of hazardous materials may be adopted by administrative order, including, but not limited to, referencing compatible federal regulations or standards without compliance with the procedural requirements of Chapter 13 of Title 50, the 'Georgia Administrative Procedure Act,' provided that such compatible federal regulations or standards shall be maintained on file by the department and made available for inspection and copying by the public, by means including, but not limited to, posting on the department's Internet site. The commissioner of public safety may comply with the filing requirements of Chapter 13 of Title 50 by filing with the office of the Secretary of State merely the name and designation of such rules, regulations, standards, and orders. The courts shall take judicial notice of rules, regulations, standards, or orders so adopted or published.

(3) Rules, regulations, or orders previously adopted, issued, or promulgated pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 7 or 11 of Title 46 in effect on June 30, 2011, shall remain in full force and effect until such time as the commissioner adopts, issues, or promulgates new rules, regulations, or orders pursuant to the provisions of this article.

(4) The department shall, to the extent practicable, engage in education, outreach, and customer service activities to reach persons and entities affected by these regulations and to assist the competitiveness of Georgia citizens and businesses engaged in regulated activities.

40-1-24.

(a) The commissioner is authorized to employ such persons as may be necessary, in the discretion of the commissioner, for the proper enforcement of this article, as provided for in this article and Chapter 2 of Title 35. It is the intent of the General Assembly, subject to the appropriations process, that funds derived under this article shall be used to further the Department of Public Safety's hazardous materials transportation safety programs; provided, however, that the department shall retain those funds derived specifically for inspection or escort.

(b) The commissioner is vested with police powers and authority to designate, deputize, and delegate to employees of the commissioner the necessary authority to enforce this article, including the power to stop and inspect all motor vehicles using the public highways and to enter upon and inspect shipper and carrier facilities for purposes of determining whether such vehicles and facilities have complied with and are complying with the provisions of this article and all other laws regulating the use of the public highways by motor vehicles, and to arrest all persons found in violation thereof, and to issue out-of-service orders to carriers, vehicles, and drivers in accordance with criteria which shall be established or adopted by the commissioner.

(c) As designated by the commissioner, by way of agreement, members of county, municipal, campus, and other state agencies may only perform regulatory compliance inspections of vehicles, drivers, and cargo in operation, and enforce the provisions of this article and rules and regulations promulgated hereunder subject to the terms and conditions of that agreement.

(d) The commissioner is vested with powers to designate, deputize, and delegate to employees of the department the necessary authority to enter upon and examine the facilities where hazardous materials are filled, offered, shipped, or stored incidental to transportation, or where packages are manufactured, fabricated, marked, maintained, reconditioned, repaired, or tested for purposes of regulatory compliance inspections for determining compliance with this article and other laws the administration or enforcement of which is the responsibility of the department.

40-1-25.

In the event that any section, paragraph, or other part of this article, or any requirement thereunder, or any rule, regulation, or order of the commissioner promulgated hereunder, is found to be preempted by federal law, or otherwise found to be improper, null or otherwise void, all other requirements not so preempted or otherwise so found shall remain in full force and effect."

SECTION 10.1.
Said title is further amended by adding a new subsection to Code Section 40-2-140, relating to administration of the Unified Carrier Registration Act by the Department of Revenue, as follows:

"(d.1) Before any motor carrier shall be registered under the Unified Carrier Registration Act of 2005 by the Department of Revenue, that carrier shall furnish evidence to the department that the carrier, through an authorized representative, has completed, within the preceding 12 months, an educational seminar on motor carrier operations and safety regulations that has been certified by the commissioner."

SECTION 11.

Said title is further amended by adding a new section to Chapter 6, relating to the uniform rules of the road, to read as follows:

"40-6-10.1.

No motor carrier subject to the financial responsibility requirements of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, or any successor agency, as contained in 49 C.F.R. Part 387, shall operate any motor vehicle upon the highways of this state until such motor carrier has obtained and has in effect the minimum levels of financial responsibility prescribed by such federal regulations."

SECTION 12.

Said title is further amended by revising Code Section 40-8-2, relating to vehicles within the jurisdiction of the commissioner of public safety, as follows:

"40-8-2.

In addition to the requirements of this article, the commissioner of public safety, as to the motor vehicles within the jurisdiction of the Department of Public Safety, shall have the authority to promulgate rules designed to promote safety pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 16 of this title and Chapter 7 of Title 46 Code Section 40-1-8. Any such rules promulgated or deemed necessary by the commissioner shall include the following: every motor unit vehicle and all parts thereof shall be maintained in a safe condition at all times. The lights, brakes, and equipment shall meet such safety requirements as the commissioner shall promulgate from time to time. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a vehicle, driver, or motor carrier that is subject to a safety rule so promulgated shall comply with the more stringent or additional requirement imposed by that motor carrier safety or hazardous materials safety rule."

SECTION 13.

Said title is further amended by revising Code Section 40-8-27, relating to lighting equipment requirements, as follows:

"40-8-27.

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this Code section, whenever the load upon any vehicle extends to the rear four feet or more beyond the bed or body of such vehicle, there shall be displayed at the extreme rear end of the load, at the times specified in Code Section 40-8-20, a red light plainly visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the sides and rear. The red light required under this Code section shall be in addition to the red rear light required upon every vehicle. At any other time there shall be displayed at the extreme rear end of such load a flag or flags as described in subsection (c) of this Code section not less than 12 18 inches square and so hung that the entire area is visible to the driver of a vehicle approaching from the rear.

(b) Any motor vehicle or trailer transporting a load of logs, long pulpwood, poles, or posts which extend more than four feet beyond the rear of the body or bed of such vehicle shall have securely affixed as close as practical to the end of any such projection one amber strobe type lamp equipped with a multidirectional type lens so mounted as to be visible from the rear and both sides of the projecting load. If the mounting of one strobe lamp cannot be accomplished so that it is visible from the rear and both sides of the projecting load, multiple strobe lights shall be utilized so as to meet the visibility requirements of this subsection. The strobe lamp shall flash at a rate of at least 60 flashes per minute and shall be plainly visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the rear and sides of the projecting load any time of the day or night. The lamp shall be operating at any time of the day or night when the vehicle is operated on any highway or parked on the shoulder or immediately adjacent to the traveled portion of any public roadway. The projecting load shall also be marked with a flag or flags as described in subsection (c) of this Code section. An emergency light permit as provided for in Code Section 40-8-92 is not required on a vehicle utilizing an amber strobe light to comply with the provisions of this Code section.

(b.1) In lieu of the strobe type lamp or lamps provided for in subsection (b) of this Code section, any motor vehicle or trailer transporting a load of logs, long pulpwood, poles, or posts which extend more than four feet beyond the rear of the body or bed of such vehicle shall have securely affixed as close as practical to the end of any such projection, one light-emitting diode (LED) light equipped with a multidirectional type lens, mounted so as to be visible from the rear and from both sides of the projecting load. If the mounting of one light-emitting diode (LED) light cannot be accomplished so that it is visible from the rear and from both sides of the projecting load, multiple light-emitting diode (LED) lights shall be utilized so as to meet the visibility requirements of this subsection. The light-emitting diode (LED) light or lights shall be amber in color, shall flash at a rate of at least 60 flashes per minute, and shall be plainly visible from a distance of at least 500 feet from the rear and sides at a radius of 180 degrees of the projecting load at any time of the day or night. Any light-emitting diode (LED) light shall be constructed of durable, weather resistant material and may be powered by the vehicle's electrical system or by an independent battery system, or both. If the light-emitting diode (LED) light is powered by an independent battery system, the driver of the vehicle shall have in his or her immediate possession charged, spare batteries for use in case of battery failure. Any solid state light-emitting diode (LED) lighting that consists of multiple light-emitting diode (LED) lights shall not have less than 85 percent of the light-emitting diode (LED) lights in operable condition. The lights shall remain in operation at any time of the day or night when the vehicle is operated on any highway or parked on the shoulder or immediately adjacent to the traveled portion of any public roadway. The projecting load shall also be marked with a flag or flags as described in subsection (c) of this Code section. An emergency light permit as provided for in Code Section 40-8-92 is not required on a vehicle utilizing a light-emitting diode (LED) light to comply with the provisions of this Code section.

(c) The flag or flags as required by subsection (a) or (b) of this Code section shall be of a bright red or orange fluorescent color not less than 12 18 inches square which is clearly visible and shall be displayed in such a manner that the entire area of the flag is visible from the rear of the vehicle. There shall be a single flag at the extreme rear of the projecting load if the projecting load is two feet wide or less. Two such warning flags shall be required if the projecting load is wider than two feet. Flags shall be located to indicate the maximum width of loads which extend beyond the rear of the vehicle."

SECTION 14.

Said title is further amended by revising Code Section 40-8-53, relating to performance ability of brakes, as follows:

"40-8-53.

(a) Except as provided for in subsection (b) of this Code section, every Every motor vehicle or combination of motor drawn vehicles shall be capable at all times and under all conditions of loading of being stopped on a dry, smooth, level road free from loose material, upon application of the service (foot) brake within the distances specified in this Code section or shall be capable of being decelerated at a sustained rate corresponding to these distances.

	Feet to Stop From 20 Miles Per Hour	Deceleration in Feet Per Second
Vehicles or combinations of vehicles having brakes on all wheels	30	14
Vehicles or combinations of vehicles not having brakes on all wheels	40	10.7

(b) The brake performance ability for commercial motor vehicles shall be as provided for in the federal motor carrier safety regulations contained in 49 C.F.R. 393.52 and adopted by the commissioner of public safety pursuant to Code Section 40-1-8. Commercial motor vehicles shall be capable at all times and under all conditions of loading of being stopped on a dry, smooth, level road free from loose material upon application of the service (foot) brake within the distances specified in those rules."

SECTION 15.

Said title is further amended by revising Code Section 40-8-72, relating to mirrors, as follows:

"40-8-72.

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this Code section, every Every motor vehicle which is so constructed or loaded as to obstruct the driver's view to the rear thereof from the driver's position shall be equipped with a mirror so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of such vehicle.

(b) Every commercial motor vehicle shall be equipped with two rear-vision mirrors meeting the requirements of the federal motor vehicle safety standards contained in 49 C.F.R. 571.111 in effect at the time of manufacture, one at each side, firmly attached to the outside of the motor vehicle, and so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway to the rear, along both sides of the vehicle; provided, however, that only one outside mirror shall be required, which shall be on the driver's side, on a commercial motor vehicle which is so constructed that the driver has a view to the rear by means of an interior mirror."

SECTION 16.

Said title is further amended by revising subsections (f) and (g) of Code Section 40-8-73.1, relating to window tinting, as follows:

"(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code section, commercial motor vehicles operated in this state are subject to the specifications of or limitations relating to windshield or window glazing or the application of light reducing or reflectance material to the windshield or windows as provided for in the federal motor carrier safety regulations contained in 49 C.F.R. 393.60 and adopted by the commissioner of public safety pursuant to Code Section 40-1-8.

(g) The Department of Public Safety is authorized to promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Code section.

(g)(h) Any person who violates subsection (b) or (e) of this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor."

SECTION 17.

Said title is further amended by revising subsections (e) and (g) of Code Section 40-8-74, relating to tire tread depth, as follows:

"(e) All tires:

(1) Shall have not less than 2/32 inch tread measurable in all major grooves with the exception of except that school buses and commercial vehicles which shall have not less than 4/32 inch tread measurable in all major grooves on the front tires and school buses shall have not less than 2/32 4/32 inch tread measurable in all major grooves on the rear tires when there are at least four only two tires on the rear otherwise the tread on the rear tires shall be not less than 4/32 inch; such measurements shall not be made where tie bars, humps, or fillets are located;

(2) Shall be free from any cuts, breaks, or snags on tread and sidewall deep enough to expose body cord; and

(3) Shall be free from bumps, bulges, or separations."

"(g) Retreaded, regrooved, or recapped tires shall not be used upon the front wheels of buses."

SECTION 18.

Title 46 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to public utilities and public transportation, is amended by revising Code Section 46-1-1, relating to definitions, as follows:

"46-1-1.

As used in this title, the term:

(1) 'Carrier' means a person who undertakes the transporting of goods or passengers for compensation.

(2) 'Certificate' means a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued pursuant to this title.

(3) 'Commission' means the Public Service Commission.

(4) 'Company' shall include a corporation, a firm, a partnership, an association, or an individual.

(5) 'Electric utility' means any retail supplier of electricity whose rates are fixed by the commission.

(5.1) 'Exempt rideshare' means:

(A) Government endorsed rideshare programs;

(B) Rideshare programs in which a rideshare driver seeks reimbursement for, or the rideshare participants pool or otherwise share, rideshare costs such as fuel; or

(C) The leasing or rental of a vehicle, in the ordinary course of the lessor's or rentor's business, for rideshare purposes as part of a government endorsed rideshare program, or for rideshare under a contract requiring compliance with subparagraph (B) of this paragraph.

(6) 'For compensation' or 'for hire' means an activity wherein for payment or other compensation a motor vehicle and driver are furnished to a person by another person, acting directly or knowingly and willfully acting with another to provide the combined service of the vehicle and driver, and includes every person acting in concert with, under the control of, or under common control with a motor carrier who shall offer to furnish transportation for compensation or for hire, provided that no exempt rideshare shall be deemed to involve any element of transportation for compensation or for hire.

(6.1) 'Gas company' means any person certificated under Article 2 of Chapter 4 of this title to construct or operate any pipeline or distribution system, or any extension thereof, for the transportation, distribution, or sale of natural or manufactured gas.

(6.2) 'Government endorsed rideshare program' means a vanpool, carpool, or similar rideshare operation conducted by or under the auspices of a state or local governmental transit instrumentality, such as GRTA, a transportation management association, or a community improvement district, or conducted under the auspices of such transit agencies, including through any form of contract between such transit instrumentality and private persons or businesses.

(6.3) 'GRTA' means the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority, which is itself exempt from regulation as a carrier under Code Section 50-32-71.

(7) 'Household goods' means any personal effects and property used or to be used in a dwelling when a part of the equipment or supplies of such dwelling and such other similar property as the commission may provide for by regulation; provided, however, that such term shall not include property being moved from a factory or store except when such property has been purchased by a householder with the intent to use such property in a dwelling and such property is transported at the request of, and with transportation charges paid by, the householder.

(8) 'Motor carrier of property' means a motor common or contract carrier engaged in transporting property, except household goods, in intrastate commerce in this state Reserved.

(9) 'Motor contract carrier and motor common carrier' means as follows:

(A) 'Motor contract carrier' means every person, except common carriers, owning, controlling, operating, or managing any motor propelled vehicle including the lessees or trustees of such persons or receivers appointed by any court used in the business of transporting persons or household goods or property engaged in the activity of nonconsensual towing pursuant to Code Section 44-1-13 for hire over any public highway in this state and not operated exclusively within the corporate limits of any city. Vehicles and the drivers thereof operating within the corporate limits of any city shall be subject to the safety regulations adopted by the commissioner of public safety pursuant to Code Section 40-1-8.

(B) 'Motor common carrier' means every person owning, controlling, operating, or managing any motor propelled vehicle, and the lessees, receivers, or trustees of such person, used in the business of transporting for hire of persons or property household goods, or both, or engaged in the activity of nonconsensual towing pursuant to Code Section 44-1-13, otherwise than over permanent rail tracks, on the public highways of Georgia as a common carrier. The term includes, but is not limited to, limousine carriers as defined in paragraph (5) of Code Section 46-7-85.1.

(C) Except as otherwise provided in this subparagraph, the terms 'motor common carrier' and 'motor contract carrier' shall not include:

(i) Motor vehicles engaged solely in transporting school children and teachers to and from public schools and private schools;

(ii) Taxicabs, drays, trucks, buses, and other motor vehicles which operate within the corporate limits of municipalities and are subject to regulation by the governing authorities of such municipalities. This exception shall apply to such vehicles even though such vehicles may, in the prosecution of their regular business, occasionally go beyond the corporate limits of such municipalities. Such exception shall not include such vehicles engaged in the moving of household goods nor include passenger vans (I) having a capacity of ten persons or more, (II) conducting nonmetered transportation service and not operated by a municipality or municipal, county, or regional governmental authority, and (III) which are engaged in private for-hire transportation operating between points within the corporate limits of a municipality. Pursuant to Code Section 44-1-13, all tow trucks engaged in nonconsensual towing operations between points within the corporate limits of a municipality shall remain subject to the jurisdiction of the commission and the municipality within which such nonconsensual towing operations are conducted; the provisions of this division notwithstanding, vehicles and the drivers thereof operating within the corporate limits of any city shall be subject to the safety regulations adopted by the commissioner of public safety pursuant to Code Section 40-1-8;

(iii) Hotel passenger or baggage motor vehicles when used exclusively for patrons and employees of such hotel;

(iv) Motor vehicles operated not for profit with a capacity of 15 persons or less when they are used exclusively to transport elderly and disabled passengers or employees under a corporate sponsored van pool program, except that a vehicle owned by the driver may be operated for profit when such driver is traveling to and from his or her place of work provided each such vehicle carrying more than nine passengers maintains liability insurance in an amount of not less than $100,000.00 per person and $300,000.00 per accident and $50,000.00 property damage. For the purposes of this division, elderly and disabled passengers are defined as individuals over the age of 60 years or who, by reason of illness, injury, age, congenital malfunction, or other permanent or temporary incapacity or disability, are unable to utilize mass transportation facilities as effectively as persons who are not so affected;

(v) Granite trucks, where transportation from quarry to finishing plant involves not crossing more than two counties Reserved;

(vi) RFD carriers and star-route carriers which carry no more than nine passengers along with carriage of the United States mail, provided that such carriers shall not carry passengers on a route along which another motor common carrier or motor contract carrier of passengers has a permit or a certificate to operate Reserved;

(vii) Motor trucks of railway companies which perform a pick-up and delivery service in connection with their freight train service, between their freight terminals and points not more than ten miles distant, when either the freight terminal or such points, or both, are outside the limits of an incorporated city Reserved;

(viii) Motor vehicles owned and operated exclusively by the United States government or by this state or any subdivision thereof;

(ix) Single source leasing whereby a leasing company whose primary business is leasing vehicles and who operates a fleet of ten or more vehicles provides vehicle equipment and drivers in a single transaction to a private carrier. Such arrangement is presumed to result in private carriage by the shipper if the requirements enumerated below are met and subject only to the commission's transportation safety rules:

(I) The lease must be reduced to writing and a copy maintained on the leased vehicle at all times during the term of the lease;

(II) The period for which the lease applies must be no less than 30 days;

(III) The lease agreement must provide, and the surrounding facts must reflect, that the leased equipment is exclusively committed to the lessee's use for the term of the lease;

(IV) The lease agreement must provide, and the surrounding facts must reflect, that during the term of the lease the lessee accepts, possesses, and exercises exclusive dominion and control over the leased equipment and assumes complete responsibility for the operation of the equipment;

(V) The lessee must maintain public liability insurance and accept responsibility to the public for any injury caused in the course of performing the transportation service conducted by the lessee with the equipment during the term of the lease;

(VI) The lessee shall display appropriate identification on all equipment leased by it showing operation by the lessee during the performance of the transportation;

(VII) The lessee must accept responsibility for, and bear the cost of, compliance with safety regulations during performance by the lessee of any such transportation services; and

(VIII) The lessee must bear the risk of damage to the cargo, subject to any right of action the lessee may have against the lessor for the latter's negligence Reserved;

(x) Motor vehicles engaged exclusively in the transportation of agricultural or dairy products, or both, between farm, market, gin, warehouse, or mill, whether such motor vehicle is owned by the owner or producer of such agricultural or dairy products or not, so long as the title remains in the producer. For the purposes of this division, the term 'producer' includes a landlord where the relations of landlord and tenant or landlord and cropper are involved. As used in this division, the term 'agricultural products' includes fruit, livestock, meats, fertilizer, wood, lumber, cotton, and naval stores; household goods and supplies transported to farms for farm purposes; or other usual farm and dairy supplies, including products of grove or orchard; poultry and eggs; fish and oysters; and timber or logs being hauled by the owner thereof or the owner's agents or employees between forest and mill or primary place of manufacture; provided, however, motor vehicles with a manufacturer's gross weight rated capacity of 44,000 pounds or more engaged solely in the transportation of unmanufactured forest products shall be subject to the Georgia Forest Products Trucking Rules which shall be adopted and promulgated by the commissioner of public safety only for application to such vehicles and vehicles defined in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (13) of this Code section; provided, further, that pulpwood trailers and pole trailers with a manufacturer's gross weight rated capacity of 10,001 pounds or more engaged solely in the transportation of unmanufactured forest products shall have two amber side marker reflectors on each side of the trailer chassis between the rear of the tractor cab and the rearmost support for the load. All such reflectors shall be not less than four inches in diameter. Such rules and any amendments thereto adopted by the commissioner of public safety shall be subject to legislative review in accordance with the provisions of Code Section 46-2-30, and, for the purposes of such rules and any amendments thereto, the Senate Natural Resources and the Environment Committee and the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment shall be the appropriate committees within the meaning of said Code Section 46-2-30. The first such rules adopted by the commissioner of public safety shall be effective July 1, 1991 Reserved;

(xi) Reserved;

(xii) Reserved;

(xiii) Vehicles, owned or operated by the federal or state government, or by any agency, instrumentality, or political subdivision of the federal or state government, or privately owned and operated for profit or not for profit, capable of transporting not more than ten persons for hire when such vehicles are used exclusively to transport persons who are elderly, disabled, en route to receive medical care or prescription medication, or returning after receiving medical care or prescription medication. For the purpose of this division, elderly and disabled persons shall have the same meaning as in division (iv) of this paragraph subparagraph;

(xiv) Reserved; or

(xv) Ambulances.

(10) 'Passenger' means a person who travels in a public conveyance by virtue of a contract, either express or implied, with the carrier as to the payment of the fare or that which is accepted as an equivalent therefor. The prepayment of fare is not necessary to establish the relationship of passenger and carrier; although a carrier may demand prepayment of fare if persons enter his or her vehicle by his or her permission with the intention of being carried; in the absence of such a demand, an obligation to pay fare is implied on the part of the passenger, and the reciprocal obligation of carriage of the carrier arises upon the entry of the passenger.

(11) 'Permit' means a registration permit issued by the state revenue commissioner authorizing interstate transportation for hire exempt from the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Transportation or intrastate passenger transportation for hire exempt from the jurisdiction of the state revenue commissioner or intrastate transportation by a motor carrier of property Reserved.

(12) 'Person' means any individual, partnership, trust, private or public corporation, municipality, county, political subdivision, public authority, cooperative, association, or public or private organization of any character.

(13) 'Private carrier' means every person except motor common carriers or motor contract carriers owning, controlling, operating, or managing any motor propelled vehicle, and the lessees or trustees thereof or receivers appointed by any court whatsoever, used in the business of transporting persons or property in private transportation not for hire over any public highway in this state. The term 'private carrier' shall not include:

(A) Motor vehicles not for hire engaged solely in the harvesting or transportation of forest products; provided, however, that motor vehicles not for hire with a manufacturer's gross weight rated capacity of 44,000 pounds or more engaged solely in the transportation of unmanufactured forest products shall be subject only to the Georgia Forest Products Trucking Rules provided for in division (9)(C)(x) of this Code section;

(B) Motor vehicles not for hire engaged solely in the transportation of road-building materials;

(C) Motor vehicles not for hire engaged solely in the transportation of unmanufactured agricultural or dairy products between farm, market, gin, warehouse, or mill whether such vehicle is owned by the owner or producer of such agricultural or dairy products or not, so long as the title remains in the producer;

(D) Except for the motor vehicles excluded under subparagraph (C) of this paragraph, motor vehicles having a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less; provided, however, that motor vehicles which have a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less and which are transporting hazardous materials, as the term 'hazardous materials' is defined in Title 49 C.F.R., Parts 107, 171-173, and 177-178, shall be included within the meaning of the term 'private carrier'; or

(E) Exempt rideshares Reserved.

(14) 'Public highway' means every public street, road, highway, or thoroughfare of any kind in this state.

(15) 'Railroad corporation' or 'railroad company' means all corporations, companies, or individuals owning or operating any railroad in this state. This title shall apply to all persons, firms, and companies, and to all associations of persons, whether incorporated or otherwise, that engage in business as common carriers upon any of the lines of railroad in this state, as well as to railroad corporations and railroad companies as defined in this Code section.

(16) 'Rate,' when used in this title with respect to an electric utility, means any rate, charge, classification, or service of an electric utility or any rule or regulation relating thereto.

(17) 'Utility' means any person who is subject in any way to the lawful jurisdiction of the commission.

(18) 'Vehicle' or 'motor vehicle' means any vehicle, machine, tractor, trailer, or semitrailer propelled or drawn by mechanical power and used upon the highways in the transportation of passengers or property, or any combination thereof, determined by the state revenue commissioner commission."

SECTION 19.

Said title is further amended by revising Code Section 46-7-9, relating to fees, as follows:

"46-7-9.

The commission shall collect the following fees pursuant to this article:

(1) A fee of $75.00 to accompany each application for a certificate, or amendment to an existing certificate, where the applicant owns or operates fewer than six motor vehicles;

(2) A fee of $150.00 to accompany each application for a certificate, or amendment to an existing certificate, where the applicant owns or operates six to 15 motor vehicles;

(3) A fee of $200.00 to accompany each application for a certificate, or amendment to an existing certificate, where the applicant owns or operates more than 15 motor vehicles;

(4) A fee of $75.00 to accompany each application for transfer of a certificate; and

(5) A fee of $50.00 to accompany each application for intrastate temporary emergency authority under Code Section 46-7-13; and

(6) A fee of $50.00 to accompany each application for a motor carrier of property permit."

SECTION 20.
Said title is further amended by revising subsection (a) of Code Section 46-7-17, relating to designation and maintenance of agents for service on nonresidence carriers, service of process, and venue, as follows:

"(a) Each nonresident motor carrier shall, before any permit is issued to it under this article or at the time of registering as required by Code Section 46-7-16 40-2-140, designate and maintain in this state an agent or agents upon whom may be served all summonses or other lawful processes in any action or proceeding against such motor carrier growing out of its carrier operations; and service of process upon or acceptance or acknowledgment of such service by any such agent shall have the same legal force and validity as if duly served upon such nonresident carrier personally. Such designation shall be in writing, shall give the name and address of such agent or agents, and shall be filed in the office of the state revenue commissioner. Upon failure of any nonresident motor carrier to file such designation with the state revenue commissioner or to maintain such an agent in this state at the address given, such nonresident carrier shall be conclusively deemed to have designated the Secretary of State and his or her successors in office as such agent; and service of process upon or acceptance or acknowledgment of such service by the Secretary of State shall have the same legal force and validity as if duly served upon such nonresident carrier personally, provided that notice of such service and a copy of the process are immediately sent by registered or certified mail or statutory overnight delivery by the Secretary of State or his or her successor in office to such nonresident carrier, if its address be known. Service of such process upon the Secretary of State shall be made by delivering to his or her office two copies of such process with a fee of $10.00."

SECTION 21.

Said title is further amended by repealing Code Section 46-7-26, relating to the authority of the commissioner to promulgate rules and regulations for safety, and designating it as "Reserved."

SECTION 22.

Said title is further amended by repealing Code Section 46-7-37, relating to exceptions for private carriers, and designating it as "Reserved."

SECTION 23.

Said title is further amended by revising Code Section 46-7-39, relating to violations of orders and penalties, as follows:

"46-7-39.

(a) Every officer, agent, or employee of any corporation and every person who violates or fails to comply with this chapter relating to the regulation of motor carriers or any order, rule, or regulation of the Public Service Commission, Department of Public Safety, or Department of Revenue, or who procures, aids, or abets therein, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

(b) No person shall drive or operate, or cause the operation of, a motor vehicle in violation of an out-of-service order. As used in this subsection, the term 'out-of-service order' means a temporary prohibition against operating as a carrier or driving or moving a motor vehicle, freight container or any cargo thereon, or any package containing a hazardous material.

(c) Misdemeanor violations of this chapter may be prosecuted, handled, and disposed of in the manner provided for by Chapter 13 of Title 40."

SECTION 24.

Said title is further amended by adding a new subsection to Code Section 46-7-85.5, relating to safety and mechanical inspections, as follows:

"(c) In addition to the requirements of this Code section, limousine carriers shall comply with the applicable provisions of Code Section 40-1-8."

SECTION 25.

Said title is further amended by repealing Chapter 11, relating to the transportation of hazardous materials, in its entirety and designating it as "Reserved."

SECTION 26.

This Act shall become effective on July 1, 2011.

SECTION 27.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.