The bill establishes a weigh-in-motion monitoring program to be implemented by the Department of Transportation (DOT) in collaboration with the Department of Law and Public Safety (DLPS). This program will involve the installation of monitoring systems at selected bridge entrances to detect vehicle weight violations, particularly focusing on bridges in poor condition. The DOT will determine the locations for these systems based on bridge conditions and violation frequencies. The systems will automatically record vehicle information and violation details, sending notifications to both the DOT and DLPS when a violation is detected. Importantly, vehicles that do not exceed the weight threshold will be allowed to bypass weigh stations, and enforcement actions will be prohibited against vehicles directed by the DOT to cross a bridge despite exceeding the weight limit.

In addition to establishing the monitoring program, the bill enhances enforcement capabilities related to vehicle weight regulations. It grants officers the authority to require vehicle weighing and allows for weight redistribution to avoid violations. The bill introduces penalties for violations, including fines for false dispatch papers and non-compliance with the monitoring systems. It also includes provisions to protect individual vehicle and personal information, ensuring that such data is not retained or disclosed for unrelated purposes. Violations will not be recorded if a vehicle exceeds the weight threshold by five percent or less, and the DOT and DLPS are required to publish annual reports on the program's operations. Funding for the program will come from the Annual Transportation Capital Program, and the bill ensures compliance with existing state and federal laws regarding vehicle weight and infrastructure inspections.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 39:3-84.3