These vehicles may already get a special distinctively designed porcelain license plate instead of regular license plates. The bill prohibits any vehicle operating with a farm registration and license plates from being used to transport 10 or more passengers unless it meets the equipment and mechanical condition requirements of the motor vehicle laws. If used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, it must also meet all the applicable federal motor carrier safety requirements that have been adopted as state requirements. The driver of any such vehicle for 10 or more passengers must hold a public transportation permit or license endorsement as required by law for drivers of similar vehicles with other types of registrations. To be eligible for federal transportation funds, states must get express consent before disseminating from a motor vehicle record a person s driver s photograph, Social Security number, or medical or disability information.
Some infractions increase when committed in designated construction, utility work, and school zones.
The Senate referred the bill to the Judiciary Committee on April 5 and the committee reported it favorably without changes on April 7. The Senate referred it to the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee on April 12 and the committee reported it favorably without changes on April 17.