The bill SB258 amends various sections of the Code of Alabama 1975 to align state regulations governing commercial motor vehicles with updated Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) standards. Key changes include the
of the requirement for drivers to report certain violations to the Department of Public Safety, the removal of a fee and written test waiver for school bus drivers, and the repeal of the certification requirement for transporting steel coils. The bill introduces a ban on human trafficking and revises the fee structure for commercial driver licenses and learner's permits, reducing fees for Class A and Class B licenses and establishing a four-year validity for licenses and a one-year validity for learner's permits.
Additionally, the bill modifies the qualifications for commercial driver licenses, including the of provisions for learner's permits that may include endorsements or restrictions as per federal regulations. It establishes stricter disqualification periods for drivers convicted of certain offenses, such as a minimum one-year disqualification for DUI violations and a lifetime disqualification for using a vehicle in felonies related to controlled substances. The bill also emphasizes compliance with federal load securement regulations for transporting metal coils and sets penalties for violations, including fines and potential imprisonment. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2024, and is exempt from certain constitutional requirements due to its nature of defining or amending crimes.Statutes affected:
Introduced: 32-6-49, 32-6-49, 32-6-49, 32-6-49, 32-6-49, 32-9A-2, 32-9A-4
Engrossed: 32-6-49, 32-6-49, 32-6-49, 32-6-49, 32-6-49, 32-9A-2, 32-9A-4
Enrolled: 32-6-49, 32-6-49, 32-6-49, 32-6-49, 32-6-49, 32-9A-2, 32-9A-4