The bill amends the Motor Carrier Safety Act to establish comprehensive safety and operational standards specifically for motor carriers transporting railroad employees. It defines a "motor carrier of railroad employees" and introduces requirements such as annual training and certification for drivers, criminal background checks, and maintenance of driver qualification files. Additionally, it mandates a minimum liability insurance coverage of five million dollars per vehicle and outlines specific safety standards for vehicles, including the presence of functioning safety belts and emergency equipment. The bill also sets disqualification criteria for drivers based on certain convictions and authorizes the Department of Transportation to conduct inspections and audits to ensure compliance.

Further amendments include the requirement for an emergency road kit in vehicles, which must contain essential items like a blanket, flares, jumper cables, and a fire extinguisher. Vehicles must display clear identification markings, and new rules regarding drivers' hours of service are established, including maximum driving hours and accurate time record maintenance. The bill also mandates motor carriers to implement drug and alcohol testing programs and specifies reporting obligations for positive test results. The effective date for these provisions is set for January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 65-1-2, 65-3-1, 65-3-3, 65-3-4, 65-3-11, 65-3-14, 66-3-875