Researcher: GM Page 1 3/18/21
OLR Bill Analysis
sSB 261
AN ACT CONCERNING RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE
DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
SUMMARY
§§ 1 & 2 — IDENTITY CARDS
Establishes grounds for revoking identity cards and establishes a restoration fee for a
revoked identity card
§ 4 — LIEN OR TITLE SERVICE FILING FEE
Imposes a fee on a lien or title service that files seven or more registration or title
applications per month and fails to do so electronically
§ 5 — VEHICLE TRANSFERS TO BENEFICIARIES
Extends the timeframe to transfer a vehicle to a beneficiary after the owner’s death
§ 6 — “SAVE OUR LAKES” PLATES
Establishes fees for Save Our Lakes commemorative plates and allows DMV to retain a
portion to defray production and issuance costs
§ 8 — STUDENT TRANSPORTATI ON VEHICLE REGISTRATION
Increases the registration fees for student transportation vehicles designed as passenger
vehicles to reflect current DMV practice
§ 9 — COMMERCIAL PASSENGER VEHICLE INSURANCE
Principally increases the minimum insurance coverage requirements for non-livery
service vehicles (e.g., buses) that transport eight or more passengers
§§ 10 & 19 — DRIVER’S LICENSE CHANGES
Increases the time period by which individuals must obtain a Connecticut driver’s license
after establishing residency in the state; modifies driver testing requirements for
applicants with expired licenses; and gives the DMV commissioner more discretion in
directing how applicants submit supporting documents
§ 10 — COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSE KNOWLEDGE TE STS FOR
ELIGIBLE VETERANS AND SERVICE MEMBERS
Allows for the waiver of commercial driver’s license knowledge tests for qualifying
veterans and service members
§ 11 — ISSUING CREDENTIALS WITHOUT APPLICANT’S PERSONAL
APPEARANCE
Expands the circumstances under which DMV can renew and duplicate credentials
without an applicant’s personal appearance 2021SB-00261-R000089-BA.docx
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§§ 12, 13 & 25 — ONLINE DRIVER EDUCAT ION
Allows driver’s education courses to be provided fully or partially through real-time,
interactive distance learning
§ 14 — DMV CONTRACTORS
Eliminates a restriction requiring DMV contractors to process license and registration
transactions at their own facilities
§ 15 — COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSE VALIDATION
Requires DMV to check the federal Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse before validating a
commercial driver’s license, in accordance with federal regulations
§§ 16 & 17 — COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSE LEARNER’S
PERMITS
Extends the duration of commercial driver’s license learner’s permits
§ 18 — COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSE DISQUALIFICATIONS
Adds certain human trafficking felonies to the list of offenses resulting in a lifetime
disqualification for a commercial driver’s license
§ 20 — ONE-YEAR REGISTRATIONS FOR SENIORS
Allows seniors to renew combination registrations for a one-year period
§§ 21 & 24 — LICENSE DEPOSITS
Eliminates the cash deposit option for repairer, dealer, leasing or rental, and drivers’
school licenses
§ 22 — DEALER AND REPAIRER LICENSES
Allows (1) the DMV commissioner to consider civil judgments against dealer and repairer
license applicants and (2) new car dealer, repairer, and limited repairer license applicants
to be licensed even if they owe sales tax
§ 23 — DEALER FINANCING REFUND
Establishes conditions for a vehicle purchaser’s deposit to be refunded when financing
through the seller
§§ 26, 30 & 31 — OPERATOR RETRAINING AND SCHOOL BUS AND
STUDENT TRANSPORTATI ON VEHICLE SAFETY TRAINING
Allows operator retraining programs and school bus and student transportation vehicle
safety training to be conducted online
§ 28 — EMISSION TESTING DEADLINES
Permits extending the emissions testing deadline after vehicle purchases when DMV or
testing stations are closed or have limited operations
§ 29 — SNOWMOBILE AND ALL -TERRAIN VEHICLE (ATV)
OPERATORS
Specifically adds snowmobiles and ATVs to the implied consent testing statute
§ 32 — BOAT REGISTRATIONS AND DECALS
Allows marine dealers to issue permanent boat registrations and decals
§ 33 — NEW RESIDENT AND DEALER REGISTRATIONS 2021SB-00261-R000089-BA.docx
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Extends the period during which new residents must register a vehicle in Connecticut and
authorizes dealers to issue additional registrations
§§ 35 & 36 — EMERGENCY VEHICLE DE FINITIONS
Makes several changes to emergency vehicle definitions, including adding certain
Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) vehicles
§ 37 — STATE AND MUNICIPAL CONTRACT ELIGIBILITY
Repeals a provision that required a specific number of inspections of certain trucking
companies and commercial motor vehicle drivers in order to make them ineligible for state
or municipal contracts
SUMMARY
This bill makes numerous unrelated changes in motor vehicle laws.
Among other things, the bill:
1. expands the circumstances under which the Department of
Motor Vehicles (DMV) can renew and duplicate credentials
without an applicant’s personal appearance (§ 11);
2. eliminates a restriction requiring DMV contractors to process
license and registration transactions at their own facilities (§ 14);
3. allows for driver education courses, operator retraining
programs, and school bus and student transportation vehicle
safety training to be provided fully or partially online (§§ 12, 13,
25, 26, 30 & 31); and
4. increases the minimum insurance coverage requirements for
non-livery service vehicles (e.g., buses) that transport eight or
more passengers (§ 9).
Lastly, the bill makes numerous technical and conforming changes.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2021, unless otherwise noted below, and
a technical change effective upon passage (§ 34).
§§ 1 & 2 — IDENTITY CARDS
Establishes grounds for revoking identity cards and establishes a restoration fee for a
revoked identity card
The bill requires the DMV commissioner to revoke an identity (ID)
card if (1) the owner misrepresents his or her age or otherwise deceives 2021SB-00261-R000089-BA.docx
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to get the ID card or (2) it is used or exhibited by someone other than
the owner. Under existing law, these actions are class D
misdemeanors, punishable by a fine of up to $250, up to 30 days
imprisonment, or both.
The bill also requires owners of a revoked ID card to pay a $175
restoration fee in order to obtain a new ID card, which is the same
amount to restore a suspended or revoked driver’s license. By law, a
restoration fee must be paid in addition to other applicable fees.
§ 4 — LIEN OR TITLE SERVICE FILING FEE
Imposes a fee on a lien or title service that files seven or more registration or title
applications per month and fails to do so electronically
The bill imposes a $25 fee on applications submitted by a lien or title
service that files seven or more motor vehicle registration or title
applications per month and fails or refuses to do so electronically
when requested by the DMV commissioner.
§ 5 — VEHICLE TRANSFERS TO BENEFICI ARIES
Extends the timeframe to transfer a vehicle to a beneficiary after the owner’s death
This bill lengthens, from 60 to 120 days, the time period during
which a beneficiary designated on a motor vehicle registration
certificate must request a new registration certificate and title in his or
her name after the vehicle owner’s death.
§ 6 — “SAVE OUR LAKES” PLA TES
Establishes fees for Save Our Lakes commemorative plates and allows DMV to retain a
portion to defray production and issuance costs
The bill (1) establishes fees of $60 and $80 for Save Our Lakes
commemorative plates and (2) allows DMV to keep a part of the fees
($15) to defray plate production and issuance costs. Under the bill, the
lower $60 fee is charged if the DMV commissioner selects the plate’s
letters and numbers. The bill’s higher $80 fee is for plates with letters
in place of numbers or for low number plates. The remainder of each
plate fee, after DMV’s costs, must be deposited into the Connecticut
Lakes, Rivers, and Ponds Preservation account. By law, plate fees are
in addition to other vehicle registration fees. 2021SB-00261-R000089-BA.docx
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Correspondingly, the bill eliminates the current requirement that
the DMV commissioner establish the Save Our Lakes plate fees by
regulation. It also deletes a requirement that the DMV commissioner
adopt specific regulations on the plates’ issuance, renewal, and
replacement.
Additionally, the bill extends by 18 months the date by which the
DMV commissioner must begin issuing Save Our Lakes plates, from
January 1, 2020, to July 1, 2021.
§ 8 — STUDENT TRANSPORTATI ON VEHICLE REGISTRAT ION
Increases the registration fees for student transportation vehicles designed as passenger
vehicles to reflect current DMV practice
The bill increases the annual registration fee for student
transportation vehicles (STVs) designed as passenger vehicles from $40
to $44 to reflect DMV’s current practice of issuing these vehicles
combination plates rather than passenger plates due to their mixed-use
nature.
§ 9 — COMMERCIAL PASSENGER VEHICLE IN SURANCE
Principally increases the minimum insurance coverage requirements for non-livery
service vehicles (e.g., buses) that transport eight or more passengers
The bill makes several modifications to the requirements on
insurance policies and indemnity bonds for buses, taxis, livery service
vehicles, and STVs. It eliminates the option for these vehicles to select
double or split limit of liability policies or bonds and instead requires
them to have single limit of liability providing coverage against claims
for personal injury or death and property damage for any one
accident.
Under the bill, non-livery service vehicles designed or used to
transport eight to 14 passengers without compensation must have at
least $750,000 in coverage. Currently, the minimum coverage
requirements for those vehicles range from $150,000 to $200,000.
For non-livery service vehicles designed or used to transport (1)
eight or more passengers for compensation or (2) 15 or more
passengers without compensation, the bill requires at least the 2021SB-00261-R000089-BA.docx
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amounts established under federal law, which are currently $1.5
million for vehicles with a seating capacity of 15 passengers or fewer,
including the driver, and $5 million for vehicles with a seating capacity
of 16 passengers or more, including the driver (49 CFR. § 387.33).
Under current law, the minimum coverage requirements for those
vehicles ranged from $150,000 to $300,000 and $200,000 to $300,000
respectively.
Under existing law, unchanged by the bill, the minimum coverage
requirement is (1) $100,000 for non-livery service vehicles that
transport seven or fewer passengers (e.g., taxis); (2) $1.5 million for
livery service vehicles that transport 14 or fewer passengers; and (3) $5
million for livery service vehicles that transport 15 or more passengers.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2021
§§ 10 & 19 — DRIVER’S LICENSE CHANGES
Increases the time period by which individuals must obtain a Connecticut driver’s license
after establishing residency in the state; modifies driver testing requirements for
applicants with expired licenses; and gives the DMV commissioner more discretion in
directing how applicants submit supporting documents
The bill lengthens, from 30 to 60 days, the time period within which
a person with an out-of-state driver’s license must obtain a
Connecticut license after establishing residency here.
Under current law, driver’s license applicants who have not
operated a motor vehicle in the preceding two years must take a
driver’s test and may be required to pass a vision screening. The bill
instead applies these provisions to applicants whose Connecticut
licenses expired more than two years prior.
Additionally, the bill authorizes the DMV commissioner to direct
how driver’s license applicants must submit supporting documents.
§ 10 — COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSE KNOWLEDGE TE STS
FOR ELIGIBLE VETERAN S AND SERVICE MEMBER S
Allows for the waiver of commercial driver’s license knowledge tests for qualifying
veterans and service members
The bill authorizes the DMV commissioner, in her discretion, to 2021SB-00261-R000089-BA.docx
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waive commercial driver’s license (CDL) knowledge tests for eligible
veterans and active duty service members who meet conditions set by
federal regulation. By law, unchanged by the bill, the commissioner
must waive the CDL driving skills test for such applicants who meet
similar conditions.
The bill specifically applies to:
1. armed forces and National Guard members who currently hold
a military operator’s license of the same class as the CDL they
are applying for and
2. veterans who (a) apply within two years after their military
discharge and (b) before their discharge, held a military
operator’s license to drive the same class of vehicles allowed
under their prospective CDL.
By law, a “veteran” is anyone discharged or released under
conditions other than dishonorable from active service in the armed
forces (i.e., the U. S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Air
Force and any of their reserve components, including the Connecticut
National Guard performing duty under Title 32 of federal law).
For purposes of the knowledge test waiver, u nder federal
regulations an applicant must certify and provide evidence that during
the one-year period prior to applying for the CDL, he or she has not
had:
1. more than one license (except for a military license);
2. any license suspended, revoked, or cancelled;
3. any type of motor vehicle conviction that would disqualify an
applicant from getting a commercial license (e.g., driving under
the influence);
4. more than one conviction for a serious traffic violation (e.g.,
driving recklessly); or 2021SB-00261-R000089-BA.docx
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5. any conviction for violating any military, state, or local law
relating to motor vehicle traffic control (other than a parking
violation) in connection with any traffic accident or any record
of an accident where he or she was at fault.
The applicant must also provide evidence and certify that he or she:
1. is or was regularly employed and designated as an operator of
one of eight specific vehicles (e.g., Air Force 2T1 vehicle
operator) and
2. is or was operating a vehicle that is representative of the type he
or she expects to operate (49 CFR. § 383.77).
§ 11 — ISSUING CREDENTIALS WITHOUT APPLICANT’S
PERSONAL APPEARANCE
Expands the circumstances under which DMV can renew and duplicate credentials
without an applicant’s personal appearance
The bill expands the circumstances under which DMV can renew
and duplicate credentials without an applicant’s personal appearance.
Under the bill, the DMV commissioner may renew or duplicate a
driver’s license, CDL, or an ID card without the applicant’s personal
appearance if:
1. the commissioner has on file the applicant’s photo or digital
image that (a) meets the standards and specifications the
commissioner prescribes (see below) and (b) may be used on a
license or ID card;
2. the commissioner has satisfactory evidence of the applicant’s
identity;
3. the commissioner is satisfied that the applicant is a legal resident
of this state;
4. in the case of renewal, the applicant has personally appeared to
renew the license or ID card within the time limitations specified
in state or federal law; and 2021SB-00261-R000089-BA.docx
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5. the applicant meets all other requirements for a renewal or
duplicate license.
Under current law, the commissioner may renew these credentials
without the applicant’s personal appearance only (1) if the applicant is
an armed forces member, (2) if the applicant is temporarily residing
out-of-state for business or educational purposes, or (3) in other
circumstances where, in the commissioner’s judgement, personal
appearance would be impractical or impose significant hardship.
Current law does not allow the commissioner to issue duplicate
credentials without personal appearance.
The bill specifies that temporary licenses, instruction permits, and
ID cards are not required to contain an applicant’s photo. Current law
requires all licenses and ID cards to contain the holder’s photo or
digital image.
The bill also repeals the commissioner’s authority to adopt
regulations on renewing licenses and ID cards by mail or electronic
communications with DMV. Instead, if the commissioner elects to
renew or issue duplicate credentials without the applicant’s personal
appearance, she must establish procedures to renew or issue them by
mail or electronic communication with DMV.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
§§ 12, 13 & 25 — ONLINE DRIVER EDUCAT ION
Allows driver’s education courses to be provided fully or partially through real-time,
interactive distance learning
Under current law, driver’s education provided by commercial
driving schools and secondary schools must be provided through
classroom instruction, which is generally defined as group instruction
of students in a classroom or a similar group situation by qualified
instructors (Conn. Agencies Regs. §§ 14-36f-1(2) & 14-78-20(2)).
The bill allows these courses to be provided fully or partially
through real-time, interactive distance learning. For the purposes of
courses provided by secondary schools, it defines “classroom 2021SB-00261-R000089-BA.docx
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instruction” to include instruction provided through real-time,
interactive distance learning or through a combination of in-person
and real-time, interactive distance learning. It also requires that the
regulations for commercial and secondary school driver’s education
permit classes to be offered fully or partially through distance learning.
The law authorizes DMV to adopt regulations about commercial
driving schools, including establishing instructional standards and
recordkeeping requirements for them. The bill requires DMV to
update its commercial driving school regulations to include (1)
requirements as to the administration of a test at the conclusion of each
class and (2) the form in which required student records must be
transmitted to the commissioner, when required.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
§ 14 — DMV CONTRACTORS
Eliminates a restriction requiring DMV contractors to process license and registration
transactions at their own facilities
By law, the DMV commissioner is authorized to contract with other
entities, including automobile clubs and municipalities, to conduct
various license and registration transactions.
Under current law, the commissioner can only authorize a
contractor or municipality to conduct these transactions at the
contractor’s or municipality’s office or facilities. The bill eliminates this
restriction.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
§ 15 — COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSE VALIDATION
Requires DMV to check the federal Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse before validating a
commercial driver’s license, in accordance with federal regulations
The bill conforms state law to federal regulations by requiring the
DMV commissioner, beginning January 6, 2023, to request a CDL
applicant’s record from the federal Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse to
determine whether he or she is qualified to renew, transfer, or upgrade
a CDL (49 CFR. § 383.725). The clearinghouse is an online database that 2021SB-00261-R000089-BA.docx
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gives employers and government agencies access to information about
CDL and commercial learner’s permit holders’ drug and alcohol
program violations (e.g., positive drug or alcohol test results and test
refusals).
In accordance with the federal regulations, the bill also prohibits the
commissioner from disclosing the information in the applicant’s
clearinghouse record to any person or entity not directly involved in
evaluating the applicant’s CDL qualifications (49 CFS. § 383.725(c)).
§§ 16 & 17 — COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSE LEARNER’S
PERMITS
Extends the duration of commercial driver’s license learner’s permits
This bill modifies the duration of a CDL learner’s permit from 180
days (i.e., six months) with an option to have it reissued or renewed
for an additional 180 days within a two-year period, to a single, one-
year period. Relatedly, it adjusts the fee for the permit from $10 to $20.
§ 18 — COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSE DISQUALIFICATIONS
Adds certain human trafficking felonies to the list of offenses resulting in a lifetime
disqualification for a commercial driver’s license
The bill conforms state law to federal regulation by requiring a
lifetime CDL disqualification without the possibility of reinstatement
for any person who commits certain human trafficking felonies, as
defined under federal law, while using a commercial motor vehicle.
Specifically, this provision applies to the following felonies:
1. sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force,
fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform
the act is under age 18; or
2. the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or
obtaining of a person for labor or services through the use of
force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to
involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery (49
CFR. § 383.51 & 22 USC. § 7201(11)).
By law, unchanged by the bill, CDL holders are disqualified for life 2021SB-00261-R000089-BA.docx
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and ineligible for reinstatement if they commit a felony involving the
manufacture, distribution, or dispensing of a controlled substance
while using any motor vehicle.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2021
§ 20 — ONE-YEAR REGISTRATIONS F OR SENIORS
Allows seniors to renew combination registrations for a one-year period
Existing law allows registrants age 65 or older to opt to renew their
passenger motor vehicle registrations for a one-year period instead of a
two- or three-year registration period (CGS § 14-49(a)). The bill
additionally allows them to opt to renew combination registrations for
a one-year period.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2021
§§ 21 & 24 — LICENSE DEPOSITS
Eliminates the cash deposit option for repairer, dealer, leasing or rental, and drivers’
school licenses
The bill eliminates the option to deposit cash with DMV as a
condition of obtaining the following licenses: (1) repairer, (2) limited
repairer, (3) new car dealer, (4) used car dealer, (5) leasing or rental, or
(6) drivers’ school. In doing so, it requires those license applicants to
submit surety bonds, which is an option under current law.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2021, except the change affecting
drivers’ school licenses is effective July 1, 2021.
§ 22 — DEALER AND REPAIRER LICENSES
Allows (1) the DMV commissioner to consider civil judgments against dealer and repairer
license applicants and (2) new car dealer, repairer, and limited repairer license applicants
to be licensed even if they owe sales tax
This bill (1) authorizes the DMV commissioner to consider civil
judgments against dealer and repairer license applicants as part of
deciding whether to grant or renew those licenses and (2) allows the
commissioner to require those license applications be submitted
electronically. Under the bill, license holders requesting renewals must
disclose any civil judgements against them under penalty of false 2021SB-00261-R000089-BA.docx
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statement.
Additionally, the bill eliminates current law’s prohibition on new
car dealers, repairers, and limited repairers from receiving initial or
renewed licenses if they owe sales tax but maintains it for used car
dealer licenses.
§ 23 — DEALER FINANCING REF UND
Establishes conditions for a vehicle purchaser’s deposit to be refunded when financing
through the seller
Under current law, vehicle sales must be evidenced by an order
properly signed by the buyer and seller, which must contain certain
specific information (e.g., the make and model year of the vehicle and
the buyer’s deposit). The bill specifies that this order is a “retail
purchase order.” Under the bill, when the buyer is financing the
vehicle through the seller, the retail purchase order must also include a
statement that a buyer’s deposit is refundable if the seller does not
provide written proof of approved financing to the buyer before
executing the order.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2021
§§ 26, 30 & 31 — OPERATOR RETRAINING AND SCHOOL BUS
AND STUDENT TRANSPOR TATION VEHICLE SAFETY TRAINING
Allows operator retraining programs and school bus and student transportation vehicle
safety training to be conducted online
The bill specifies certain training may be offered in person in a
congregate setting, through distance learning, or a combination of the
two. It specifically applies to (1) operator retraining programs
conducted by DMV or DMV-certified organizations, (2) school bus and
STV operator safety training administered by DMV, and (3) school bus
operator safety training required by a town or regional school district.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
§ 28 — EMISSION TESTING DEADLINES
Permits extending the emissions testing deadline after vehicle purchases when DMV or
testing stations are closed or have limited operations
By law, whenever a vehicle’s ownership is transferred, the new 2021SB-00261-R000089-BA.docx
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owner must present the vehicle for an emissions inspection within 30
days after registering the vehicle. The bill authorizes the DMV
commissioner to extend that deadline for the new owner to comply if
circumstances require DMV or emissions inspection stations to close or
have limited operations.
§ 29 — SNOWMOBILE AND ALL -TERRAIN VEHICLE (ATV )
OPERATORS
Specifically adds snowmobiles and ATVs to the implied consent testing statute
By law, motor vehicle operators implicitly consent to chemical
analyses of their blood, breath, or urine; and if the operator is a minor,
his or her parents or guardians have implicitly consented for him or
her. Under current law, this statute applies to all vehicles used on
public roads. The bill also applies this to snowmobiles and ATVs.
By law, a snowmobile is any self-propelled vehicle designed for
travel on snow or ice, except for ones propelled by sail. An ATV is a
self-propelled vehicle designed to travel over unimproved terrain, has
been determined by the DMV commissioner to be unsuitable for
operation on public roads, and is ineligible for registration (CGS § 14-
379).
Under existing law, the implied consent statute establishes
administrative license suspension procedures for operators who refuse
to submit to a test or whose test results indicate an elevated blood
alcohol content. Relatedly, the bill’s specific inclusion of snowmobiles
and ATVs will align the implied consent statute with the state’s
criminal DUI laws (CGS §§ 14-227a and 14-227m).
§ 32 — BOAT REGISTRATIONS A ND DECALS
Allows marine dealers to issue permanent boat registrations and decals
The bill permits the DMV commissioner to allow marine dealers to
issue boat registration and decal certificates without a limitation on the
type of those certificates, thus allowing them to issue permanent
certificates. Under current law, authorized marine dealers may only
issue temporary boat registrations and decals.
Additionally, the bill eliminates a requirement that the DMV 2021SB-00261-R000089-BA.docx
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commissioner adopt regulations about these transactions and instead
grants her the discretion to adopt them.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
§ 33 — NEW RESIDENT AND DEA LER REGISTRATIONS
Extends the period during which new residents must register a vehicle in Connecticut and
authorizes dealers to issue additional registrations
This bill lengthens, from 60 to 90 days, the period during which new
residents must register a vehicle in the state by after establishing
residency in order to legally operate the vehicle without penalty.
Additionally, the bill permits the DMV commissioner to appoint
certain qualified and licensed dealers to issue original and renewal
registrations for passenger motor vehicles, motorcycles, campers, camp
trailers, commercial trailers, service buses, school buses, trucks, and
other vehicle types determined by the commissioner, regardless of
whether the dealers sold the vehicles to the registrants. Under current
law, the commissioner could only appoint dealers to issue registrations
on the vehicles that the dealers sold.
By law, registration applicants must pay the registration fee for their
vehicles as well as any other applicable fees. The bill allows the DMV
commissioner to authorize dealers, as part of their registration
transactions, to charge the existing convenience fee (up to $8) that
other contractors (e.g., AAA) may charge.
The bill also eliminates a requirement that the DMV commissioner
impose a $10 fee for each new dealer issue form furnished to dealers.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2021
§§ 35 & 36 — EMERGENCY VEHICLE DE FINITIONS
Makes several changes to emergency vehicle definitions, including adding certain
Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) vehicles
The bill modifies the statutory definitions of the terms “emergency
vehicle” and “authorized emergency vehicle” as used in the laws
establishing those vehicles’ rights and motorists’ responsibilities with
respect to them. 2021SB-00261-R000089-BA.docx
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Specifically, the bill expands the definition of “emergency vehicle”
to include (1) any ambulance or vehicle operated by an emergency
medical service organization member taking a patient to a hospital and
(2) any DEEP vehicle operated by an authorized DEEP employee while
in the course of his or her employment and while en route to a fire or
responding to an emergency call, but not returning from a fire or an
emergency call.
The bill also removes a public service company or municipal
department ambulance or emergency vehicle designated or authorized
by the DMV commissioner from the definition of “authorized
emergency vehicle” and instead simply specifies that an ambulance is
an authorized emergency vehicle.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
§ 37 — STATE AND MUNICIPAL CONTRACT ELIGIBILITY
Repeals a provision that required a specific number of inspections of certain trucking
companies and commercial motor vehicle drivers in order to make them ineligible for state
or municipal contracts
The bill repeals a statute that prohibited certain trucking companies
and commercial motor vehicle drivers from being found ineligible for
state or municipal contracts based on the results of safety inspections,
unless at least 10 safety inspections of the company’s or driver’s
vehicle had been conducted during the 24 months before the contract’s
starting date.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2021
COMMITTEE ACTION
Transportation Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 34 Nay 0 (03/03/2021)