Oklahoma House Bill HB1393

Oklahoma 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/23
• Refer: 2/7/23
• Report Pass: 2/8/23
• Engrossed: 2/21/23
• Refer: 3/23/23
• Report Pass: 4/13/23
• Enrolled: 4/24/23
• Passed: 5/1/23

Caption

Motor vehicles; modifying responsible entity; effective date.

Impact

The passage of HB 1393 is expected to impact state laws by formalizing the requirement for fees associated with law enforcement escorts. The bill states that fees collected will be deposited into the State Transportation Department of Public Safety Revolving Fund. This change is aimed at enhancing state revenue directly associated with transportation safety enforcement activities and ensuring that those who utilize escort services contribute fairly to the costs involved.

Summary

House Bill 1393 amends the existing law concerning motor vehicle escorts as specified in 47 O.S. Section 14-120.2. This bill establishes that individuals or entities required to have a law enforcement escort for the transportation of oversized loads or hazardous shipments must pay a fee that covers the full costs incurred by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. The bill intends to streamline the funding for these services while ensuring safety in transportation.

Sentiment

The sentiment around HB 1393 appears to be generally favorable among legislators, as evidenced by its unanimous passage in the House with 96 votes in favor and no opposition. Support for the bill indicates a collective agreement on the importance of funding necessary safety measures for transporting oversized and hazardous materials, ensuring that the operational costs are sustainably met through user fees rather than state funding alone.

Contention

While the bill passed without opposition, some potential points of contention may arise regarding the fairness of fees and their impact on businesses transporting oversized loads or hazardous materials. Critics might argue that additional fees could place a financial burden on smaller businesses or entities that regularly utilize these services. Future discussions may need to address these concerns and consider provisions that could mitigate the financial impact on those who depend on law enforcement escorts.