The House Technology and Infrastructure Committee met this afternoon to consider the following:
House Bill 4434 prohibits state agencies and local government units from restricting the sale or use of motor vehicles based on the energy sources used to power the vehicles. It does not prohibit the agencies from buying any type of vehicle but prohibits them from making policy restrictions. The bill does have a committee amendment which includes other equipment using motors. The bill advances to the Committee on Government Organization.
House Bill 4764 requires the DMV to allow the purchase of one-trip special permits for a new motor vehicle dealer to be made and paid online. The committee substitute places the bill into Code 17a-7-2, as the current bill form has it in the wrong section. The bill would help car buyers/dealers legally and efficiently get these temporary plates for vehicle purchasing.
House Bill 4766 creates a new section of code that addresses road closures. The bill requires signage for road closures to be posted 30 days prior to closure if the closure will last more than 30 days and the detour is longer than one mile. There is an exemption for emergency closures.
The Commissioner of DOT expressed concerns about signs being up that long, as that can cause drivers to get comfortable with signs being out with no work being done leading to speeding. This would put workers at risk. Another concern with the bill is there is no language relating to the specifications of the signage in size, color, and font. There are federal regulations on interstate signage. He suggested another form of notification would be better than a roadside sign. Signage is planned out in the development phase months or even years in advance.
The bill sponsor brought up electric signage was added to a project in his county, and it was helpful. He wonders if this can be done 30 days in advance. He stated the bill was intentionally vague on signage specifications so that the division could comply with federal regulations.
Other proponents of the bill believe signage can help people prepare for alternative works and make plans. The committee substitute was advanced.
