With only a couple of weeks left in this year's session, MoDOT has several transportation-related bills of interest to people around the state. The senate recently passed House Bill 744, sponsored by Rep. Neal St. Onge (R-Ballwin) and handled by Sen. Bill Stouffer (R-Napton).

HB 744 began as a federal mandate proposal that contained two of MoDOT’s priorities: voiding outdoor advertising permits and the unified carrier registration system. Sen. Stouffer introduced a floor substitute, which converted this bill into a large omnibus transportation proposal, that got even larger as 18 different amendments were offered, of which, 15 passed during the debate. Some of the issues now included in this proposal are:

• Primary enforcement of Missouri’s safety belt law (supported by MoDOT);
• Modified motor vehicle inspections program, now required for vehicles with more than 100,000 miles, or upon sale or trade of the vehicle;
• Voiding outdoor advertising permits (supported by MoDOT);
• Allows for annual bid bonds to be submitted on MoDOT projects (supported by MoDOT);
• Clarifies the state’s design build statutes as it relates to surety bonds;
• Allows for a contractor sales tax exemption for MoDOT construction projects;
• Implementation of a new drunk driving memorial sign program;
• Modifies the permissible length for saddlemount commercial motor vehicles;
• Modifies the weight allowed on commercial motor vehicles equipped with idle reduction technology;
• Requires commercial motor carrier inspectors to receive POST training;
• Booster seat exemption for buses; and
• Unified Carrier Registration (supported by MoDOT).

Efforts were made, but failed to repeal the state’s motorcycle helmet law during the debate on HB 744.

The Senate has passed HB 744 which is now up to the House to accept the changes made by the senate or request a conference to work out their differences.