CS for SB 210                                    First Engrossed
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       2009210e1
       
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to commercial motor vehicles; amending
    3         s. 316.545, F.S.; increasing the maximum weight limits
    4         on certain vehicles to compensate for weight increases
    5         that result from the installation of idle-reduction
    6         technologies; amending s. 316.1895, F.S.; revising the
    7         authorized locations for the placement of certain
    8         warning signs at school zones; providing an effective
    9         date.
   10  
   11  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   12  
   13         Section 1. Subsection (3) of section 316.545, Florida
   14  Statutes, is amended to read:
   15         316.545 Weight and load unlawful; special fuel and motor
   16  fuel tax enforcement; inspection; penalty; review.—
   17         (3) Any person who violates the overloading provisions of
   18  this chapter shall be conclusively presumed to have damaged the
   19  highways of this state by reason of such overloading, which
   20  damage is hereby fixed as follows:
   21         (a) When the excess weight is 200 pounds or less than the
   22  maximum herein provided, the penalty shall be $10;
   23         (b) Five cents per pound for each pound of weight in excess
   24  of the maximum herein provided when the excess weight exceeds
   25  200 pounds. However, whenever the gross weight of the vehicle or
   26  combination of vehicles does not exceed the maximum allowable
   27  gross weight, the maximum fine for the first 600 pounds of
   28  unlawful axle weight shall be $10;
   29         (c) For a vehicle equipped with fully functional idle
   30  reduction technology, any penalty shall be calculated by
   31  reducing the actual gross vehicle weight or the internal bridge
   32  weight by the certified weight of the idle-reduction technology
   33  or by 400 pounds, whichever is less. The vehicle operator must
   34  present written certification of the weight of the idle
   35  reduction technology and must demonstrate or certify that the
   36  idle-reduction technology is fully functional at all times. This
   37  calculation is not allowed for vehicles described in s.
   38  316.535(6);
   39         (d)(c) An apportioned motor vehicle, as defined in s.
   40  320.01, operating on the highways of this state without being
   41  properly licensed and registered shall be subject to the
   42  penalties as herein provided; and
   43         (e)(d) Vehicles operating on the highways of this state
   44  from nonmember International Registration Plan jurisdictions
   45  which are not in compliance with the provisions of s. 316.605
   46  shall be subject to the penalties as herein provided.
   47         Section 2. Subsection (6) of section 316.1895, Florida
   48  Statutes, is amended to read:
   49         316.1895 Establishment of school speed zones, enforcement;
   50  designation.—
   51         (6) Permanent signs designating school zones and school
   52  zone speed limits shall be uniform in size and color, and shall
   53  have the times during which the restrictive speed limit is
   54  enforced clearly designated thereon. Flashing beacons activated
   55  by a time clock, or other automatic device, or manually
   56  activated may be used as an alternative to posting the times
   57  during which the restrictive school speed limit is enforced.
   58  Beginning July 1, 2008, for any newly established school zone or
   59  any school zone in which the signing has been replaced, a sign
   60  stating “Speeding Fines Doubled” shall be installed within or in
   61  advance of the school zone. The Department of Transportation
   62  shall establish adequate standards for the signs and flashing
   63  beacons.
   64         Section 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2009.