12-20 15:40 H.B. 53 1 Unsecured Load Amendments 2025 GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor: Ken Ivory Senate Sponsor: Wayne A. Harper 2 3 LONG TITLE 4 Committee Note: 5 The Transportation Interim Committee recommended this bill. 6 Legislative Vote:14 voting for1 voting against2 absent 7 General Description: 8 This bill addresses unsecured loads, litter, and landfills. 9 Highlighted Provisions: 10 This bill: 11 ▸ establishes the Litter Abatement Expendable Special Revenue Fund; 12 ▸ directs certain fees to the Litter Abatement Expendable Special Revenue Fund; 13 ▸ modifies penalties for certain offenses; 14 ▸ requires reporting for certain entities; 15 ▸ imposes a landfill fee for an unsecured load; and 16 ▸ defines terms. 17 Money Appropriated in this Bill: 18 None 19 Other Special Clauses: 20 None 21 Utah Code Sections Affected: 22 AMENDS: 23 41-1a-1201, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 483 24 41-1a-1206, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 483 25 41-6a-1712, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 22 26 41-6a-1713, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2015, Chapter 412 27 53-8-105, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 425 28 72-1-201, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 517 29 72-7-409, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2021, Chapter 327 30 ENACTS: H.B. 53 12-20 15:40 31 72-2-135, Utah Code Annotated 1953 32 72-7-410, Utah Code Annotated 1953 33 34 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah: 35 Section 1. Section 41-1a-1201 is amended to read: 36 41-1a-1201 . Disposition of fees. 37 (1) All fees received and collected under this part shall be transmitted daily to the state 38 treasurer. 39 (2) Except as provided in Subsections (3), (5), (6), (7), (8), and (9) and Sections 41-1a-1205, 40 41-1a-1206, 41-1a-1220, 41-1a-1221, 41-1a-1222, 41-1a-1223, and 41-1a-1603, all fees 41 collected under this part shall be deposited into the Transportation Fund. 42 (3) Funds generated under Subsections 41-1a-1211(1)(b)(ii), (6)(b)(ii), (7), and (9), and 43 Section 41-1a-1212 shall be deposited into the License Plate Restricted Account created 44 in Section 41-1a-122. 45 (4)(a) Except as provided in Subsections (3) and (4)(b) and Section 41-1a-1205, the 46 expenses of the commission in enforcing and administering this part shall be 47 provided for by legislative appropriation from the revenues of the Transportation 48 Fund. 49 (b) Three dollars of the registration fees imposed under Subsections 41-1a-1206(2)(a) 50 and (b) for each vehicle registered for a six-month registration period under Section 51 41-1a-215.5 may be used by the commission to cover the costs incurred in enforcing 52 and administering this part. 53 (c) Fifty cents of the registration fee imposed under Subsection [41-1a-1206(1)(i)] 54 41-1a-1206(1)(k) for each vintage vehicle that has a model year of 1983 or newer 55 may be used by the commission to cover the costs incurred in enforcing and 56 administering this part. 57 (5)(a) The following portions of the registration fees imposed under Section 41-1a-1206 58 for each vehicle shall be deposited into the Transportation Investment Fund of 2005 59 created in Section 72-2-124: 60 (i) $30 of the registration fees imposed under Subsections 41-1a-1206(1)(a), (1)(b), 61 (1)(f), (4), and (7); 62 (ii) $21 of the registration fees imposed under Subsections 41-1a-1206(1)(c)(i) and 63 (1)(c)(ii); 64 (iii) $2.50 of the registration fee imposed under Subsection 41-1a-1206(1)(e)(ii); - 2 - 12-20 15:40 H.B. 53 65 (iv) $23 of the registration fee imposed under Subsection 41-1a-1206(1)(d)(i); 66 (v) $24.50 of the registration fee imposed under Subsection 41-1a-1206(1)(e)(i); 67 (vi) $1 of the registration fee imposed under Subsection 41-1a-1206(1)(d)(ii); and 68 (vii) $17 of the registration fee imposed under Subsection [41-1a-1206(1)(j)] 69 41-1a-1206(1)(l). 70 (b) The following portions of the registration fees collected for each vehicle registered 71 for a six-month registration period under Section 41-1a-215.5 shall be deposited into 72 the Transportation Investment Fund of 2005 created in Section 72-2-124: 73 (i) $23.25 of each registration fee collected under Subsection 41-1a-1206(2)(a)(i); and 74 (ii) $23 of each registration fee collected under Subsection 41-1a-1206(2)(a)(ii). 75 (6)(a) Ninety-four cents of each registration fee imposed under Subsections 41-1a-1206 76 (1)(a) and (b) for each vehicle shall be deposited into the Public Safety Restricted 77 Account created in Section 53-3-106. 78 (b) Seventy-one cents of each registration fee imposed under Subsections 41-1a-1206 79 (2)(a) and (b) for each vehicle registered for a six-month registration period under 80 Section 41-1a-215.5 shall be deposited into the Public Safety Restricted Account 81 created in Section 53-3-106. 82 (7)(a) One dollar of each registration fee imposed under Subsections 41-1a-1206(1)(a) 83 and (b) for each vehicle shall be deposited into the Motor Vehicle Safety Impact 84 Restricted Account created in Section 53-8-214. 85 (b) One dollar of each registration fee imposed under Subsections 41-1a-1206(2)(a) and 86 (b) for each vehicle registered for a six-month registration period under Section 87 41-1a-215.5 shall be deposited into the Motor Vehicle Safety Impact Restricted 88 Account created in Section 53-8-214. 89 (8) Fifty cents of each registration fee imposed under Subsection 41-1a-1206(1)(a) for each 90 motorcycle shall be deposited into the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Fund created in 91 Section 26B-1-318. 92 (9)(a) Beginning on January 1, 2024, subject to Subsection (9)(b), $2 of each 93 registration fee imposed under Section 41-1a-1206 shall be deposited into the Rural 94 Transportation Infrastructure Fund created in Section 72-2-133. 95 (b) Beginning on January 1, 2025, and each January 1 thereafter, the amount described 96 in Subsection (9)(a) shall be annually adjusted by taking the amount deposited the 97 previous year and adding an amount equal to the greater of: 98 (i) an amount calculated by multiplying the amount deposited by the previous year by - 3 - H.B. 53 12-20 15:40 99 the actual percentage change during the previous fiscal year in the Consumer Price 100 Index; and 101 (ii) 0. 102 (c) The amounts calculated as described in Subsection (9)(b) shall be rounded up to the 103 nearest 1 cent. 104 (10) The amount described in Subsections 41-1a-1206(1)(i) and(1)(j) shall be deposited into 105 the Litter Abatement Expendable Special Revenue Fund created in Section 72-2-135. 106 Section 2. Section 41-1a-1206 is amended to read: 107 41-1a-1206 . Registration fees -- Fees by gross laden weight. 108 (1) Except as provided in Subsections (2) and (3), at the time application is made for 109 registration or renewal of registration of a vehicle or combination of vehicles under this 110 chapter, a registration fee shall be paid to the division as follows: 111 (a) $46.00 for each motorcycle; 112 (b) $44 for each motor vehicle of 12,000 pounds or less gross laden weight, excluding 113 motorcycles; 114 (c) unless the semitrailer or trailer is exempt from registration under Section 41-1a-202 115 or is registered under Section 41-1a-301: 116 (i) $31 for each trailer or semitrailer over 750 pounds gross unladen weight; or 117 (ii) $28.50 for each commercial trailer or commercial semitrailer of 750 pounds or 118 less gross unladen weight; 119 (d)(i) $53 for each farm truck over 12,000 pounds, but not exceeding 14,000 pounds 120 gross laden weight; plus 121 (ii) $9 for each 2,000 pounds over 14,000 pounds gross laden weight; 122 (e)(i) $69.50 for each motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles, excluding 123 farm trucks, over 12,000 pounds, but not exceeding 14,000 pounds gross laden 124 weight; plus 125 (ii) $19 for each 2,000 pounds over 14,000 pounds gross laden weight; 126 (f)(i) $69.50 for each park model recreational vehicle over 12,000 pounds, but not 127 exceeding 14,000 pounds gross laden weight; plus 128 (ii) $19 for each 2,000 pounds over 14,000 pounds gross laden weight; 129 (g) $45 for each vintage vehicle that has a model year of 1983 or newer; 130 (h) in addition to the fee described in Subsection (1)(b): 131 (i) an amount equal to the road usage charge cap described in Section 72-1-213.1 for: 132 (A) each electric motor vehicle; and - 4 - 12-20 15:40 H.B. 53 133 (B) Each motor vehicle not described in this Subsection (1)(h) that is fueled 134 exclusively by a source other than motor fuel, diesel fuel, natural gas, or 135 propane; 136 (ii) $21.75 for each hybrid electric motor vehicle; and 137 (iii) $56.50 for each plug-in hybrid electric motor vehicle; 138 (i) in addition to the fee described in Subsection (1)(c), three dollars for a trailer or 139 semitrailer, unless the trailer or semitrailer is exempt from registration under Section 140 41-1a-202 or is registered under Section 41-1a-301; 141 (j) in addition to the fee described in Subsection (1)(e), three dollars for a motor vehicle 142 or combination of motor vehicles, excluding farm trucks, over 14,000 pounds gross 143 laden weight; 144 [(i)] (k) in addition to the fee described in Subsection (1)(g), for a vintage vehicle that 145 has a model year of 1983 or newer, 50 cents; and 146 [(j)] (l) $28.50 for each roadable aircraft. 147 (2)(a) At the time application is made for registration or renewal of registration of a 148 vehicle under this chapter for a six-month registration period under Section 149 41-1a-215.5, a registration fee shall be paid to the division as follows: 150 (i) $34.50 for each motorcycle; and 151 (ii) $33.50 for each motor vehicle of 12,000 pounds or less gross laden weight, 152 excluding motorcycles. 153 (b) In addition to the fee described in Subsection (2)(a)(ii), for registration or renewal of 154 registration of a vehicle under this chapter for a six-month registration period under 155 Section 41-1a-215.5 a registration fee shall be paid to the division as follows: 156 (i) an amount equal to the road usage charge cap described in Section 72-1-213.1 for: 157 (A) each electric motor vehicle; and 158 (B) each motor vehicle not described in this Subsection (2)(b) that is fueled 159 exclusively by a source other than motor fuel, diesel fuel, natural gas, or 160 propane; 161 (ii) $16.50 for each hybrid electric motor vehicle; and 162 (iii) $43.50 for each plug-in hybrid electric motor vehicle. 163 (3)(a) Beginning on January 1, 2024, at the time of registration: 164 (i) in addition to the amounts described in Subsections (1)(a), (1)(b), (1)(c)(i), 165 (1)(c)(ii), (1)(d)(i), (1)(e)(i), (1)(f)(i), (1)(g), (1)(h), (4)(a), and (7), the individual 166 shall also pay an additional $7 as part of the registration fee; and - 5 - H.B. 53 12-20 15:40 167 (ii) in addition to the amounts described in Subsection (2)(a), the individual shall also 168 pay an additional $5 as part of the registration fee. 169 (b)(i) Beginning on January 1, 2019, the commission shall, on January 1, annually 170 adjust the registration fees described in Subsections (1)(a), (1)(b), (1)(c)(i), 171 (1)(c)(ii), (1)(d)(i), (1)(e)(i), (1)(f)(i), (1)(g), [(1)(j)] (1)(l), (2)(a), (3)(a), (4)(a), and 172 (7), by taking the registration fee rate for the previous year and adding an amount 173 equal to the greater of: 174 (A) an amount calculated by multiplying the registration fee of the previous year 175 by the actual percentage change during the previous fiscal year in the 176 Consumer Price Index; and 177 (B) 0. 178 (ii) Beginning on January 1, 2024, the commission shall, on January 1, annually 179 adjust the registration fees described in Subsections (1)(h)(ii) and (iii) and 180 (2)(b)(ii) and (iii) by taking the registration fee rate for the previous year and 181 adding an amount equal to the greater of: 182 (A) an amount calculated by multiplying the registration fee of the previous year 183 by the actual percentage change during the previous fiscal year in the 184 Consumer Price Index; and 185 (B) 0. 186 (c) The amounts calculated as described in Subsection (3)(b) shall be rounded up to the 187 nearest 25 cents. 188 (4)(a) The initial registration fee for a vintage vehicle that has a model year of 1982 or 189 older is $40. 190 (b) A vintage vehicle that has a model year of 1982 or older is exempt from the renewal 191 of registration fees under Subsection (1). 192 (c) A vehicle with a Purple Heart special group license plate issued on or before 193 December 31, 2023, or issued in accordance with Part 16, Sponsored Special Group 194 License Plates, is exempt from the registration fees under Subsection (1). 195 (d) A camper is exempt from the registration fees under Subsection (1). 196 (5) If a motor vehicle is operated in combination with a semitrailer or trailer, each motor 197 vehicle shall register for the total gross laden weight of all units of the combination if the 198 total gross laden weight of the combination exceeds 12,000 pounds. 199 (6)(a) Registration fee categories under this section are based on the gross laden weight 200 declared in the licensee's application for registration. - 6 - 12-20 15:40 H.B. 53 201 (b) Gross laden weight shall be computed in units of 2,000 pounds. A fractional part of 202 2,000 pounds is a full unit. 203 (7) The owner of a commercial trailer or commercial semitrailer may, as an alternative to 204 registering under Subsection (1)(c), apply for and obtain a special registration and 205 license plate for a fee of $130. 206 (8) Except as provided in Section 41-6a-1642, a truck may not be registered as a farm truck 207 unless: 208 (a) the truck meets the definition of a farm truck under Section 41-1a-102; and 209 (b)(i) the truck has a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 12,000 pounds; or 210 (ii) the truck has a gross vehicle weight rating of 12,000 pounds or less and the owner 211 submits to the division a certificate of emissions inspection or a waiver in 212 compliance with Section 41-6a-1642. 213 (9) A violation of Subsection (8) is an infraction that shall be punished by a fine of not less 214 than $200. 215 (10) Trucks used exclusively to pump cement, bore wells, or perform crane services with a 216 crane lift capacity of five or more tons, are exempt from 50% of the amount of the fees 217 required for those vehicles under this section. 218 Section 3. Section 41-6a-1712 is amended to read: 219 41-6a-1712 . Destructive or injurious materials on highways -- Throwing lighted 220 material from moving vehicle -- Enforcement officers. 221 (1) As used in this section, "lighted material" means an item that is flaming, burning, or smoking, including lighted charcoal, fireworks, matches, tobacco, cigars, or cigarettes. 222 (2) A person may not throw, deposit, or discard, or permit to be dropped, thrown, deposited, 223 or discarded on any public road or highway in the state, whether under state, county, 224 municipal, or federal ownership, any plastic container, glass bottle, glass, nails, tacks, 225 wire, cans, barbed wire, boards, trash or garbage, paper or paper products, or any other 226 substance which would or could: 227 (a) create a safety or health hazard on the public road or highway; or 228 (b) mar or impair the scenic aspect or beauty of the public road or highway. 229 [(2)] (3) A person who drops, throws, deposits, or discards, or permits to be dropped, 230 thrown, deposited, or discarded, on any public road or highway any destructive, 231 injurious, or unsightly material shall: 232 (a) immediately remove the material or cause it to be removed; and 233 (b) deposit the material in a receptacle designed to receive the material. - 7 - H.B. 53 12-20 15:40 234 [(3)] (4) A person distributing commercial handbills, leaflets, or other advertising shall take 235 whatever measures are reasonably necessary to keep the material from littering public 236 roadways or highways. 237 [(4)] (5) A person removing a wrecked or damaged vehicle from a public road or highway 238 shall remove any glass or other injurious substance dropped from the vehicle on the road 239 or highway. 240 [(5)] (6) A person may not throw any lighted material from a moving vehicle. 241 [(6)] (7) Except as provided in Section 72-7-409, any person transporting loose cargo by 242 truck, trailer, or other motor vehicle shall secure the cargo in a reasonable manner to 243 prevent the cargo from littering or spilling on both public and private property or public 244 roadways. 245 [(7)] (8) A law enforcement officer as defined in Section 53-13-103, within the law 246 enforcement officer's jurisdiction: 247 (a) shall enforce the provisions of this section; 248 (b) may issue citations to a person who violates any of the provisions of this section; and 249 (c) may serve and execute all warrants, citations, and other process issued by any court 250 in enforcing this section. 251 [(8)] (9) A municipality within its corporate limits and a county outside of incorporated 252 municipalities may enact local ordinances to carry out the provisions of this section. 253 Section 4. Section 41-6a-1713 is amended to read: 254 41-6a-1713 . Penalty for littering on a highway. 255 (1) [A person] Except as provided in Subsection (3), an individual who violates any of the 256 provisions of Section 41-6a-1712 is guilty of an infraction and shall be fined: 257 (a) not less than $200 for a violation; or 258 (b) not less than $500 for a second or subsequent violation within three years of a 259 previous violation of this section. 260 (2) The sentencing judge may require that the offender devote at least eight hours in 261 cleaning up: 262 (a) litter caused by the offender; and 263 (b) existing litter from a safe area designated by the sentencing judge. 264 (3) An individual who violates Subsection 41-6a-1712(6) is guilty of a class C 265 misdemeanor. 266 Section 5. Section 53-8-105 is amended to read: 267 53-8-105 . Duties of Highway Patrol. - 8 - 12-20 15:40 H.B. 53 268 (1) In addition to the duties in this chapter, the Highway Patrol shall: 269 (a) enforce the state laws and rules governing use of the state highways; 270 (b) regulate traffic on all highways and roads of the state; 271 (c) assist the governor in an emergency or at other times at his discretion; 272 (d) in cooperation with federal, state, and local agencies, enforce and assist in the 273 enforcement of all state and federal laws related to the operation of a motor carrier on 274 a highway, including all state and federal rules and regulations; 275 (e) inspect certain vehicles to determine road worthiness and safe condition as provided 276 in Section 41-6a-1630; 277 (f) upon request, assist with any condition of unrest existing or developing on a campus 278 or related facility of an institution of higher education; 279 (g) assist the Alcoholic Beverage Services Commission in an emergency to enforce the 280 state liquor laws; 281 (h) provide security and protection for both houses of the Legislature while in session as 282 the speaker of the House of Representatives and the president of the Senate find 283 necessary; 284 (i) enforce the state laws and rules governing use of capitol hill; and 285 (j) carry out the following for the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals: 286 (i) provide security and protection to those courts when in session in the capital city 287 of the state; 288 (ii) execute orders issued by the courts; and 289 (iii) carry out duties as directed by the courts. 290 (2)(a) The division and the department shall annually: 291 (i) evaluate the inventory of new and existing state highways, in coordination with 292 relevant local law enforcement agencies, to determine which law enforcement 293 agency is best suited to patrol and enforce state laws and regulate traffic on each 294 state highway; and 295 (ii) before October 1 of each year, report to the Transportation Interim Committee 296 and the Executive Offices and Criminal Justice Appropriations Subcommittee 297 regarding: 298 (A) significant changes to the patrol and enforcement responsibilities resulting 299 from the evaluation described in Subsection (2)(a)(i); and 300 (B) any budget request necessary to accommodate additional patrol and 301 enforcement responsibilities. - 9 - H.B. 53 12-20 15:40 302 (b) The division and the department shall, before July 1 of each year, coordinate with the 303 Department of Transportation created in Section 72-1-201 regarding patrol and 304 enforcement responsibilities described in Subsection (2)(a) and incident management 305 services on state highways. 306 (3)(a) A district court and a justice court shall collect and maintain data regarding 307 violations in Sections 41-6a-1712, 41-6a-1713, and 72-7-409. 308 (b) Each court shall transmit dispositions described in (3)(a) electronically to the 309 department. 310 Section 6. Section 72-1-201 is amended to read: 311 72-1-201 . Creation of Department of Transportation -- Functions, powers, 312 duties, rights, and responsibilities. 313 (1) There is created the Department of Transportation which shall: 314 (a) have the general responsibility for planning, research, design, construction, 315 maintenance, security, and safety of state transportation systems; 316 (b) provide administration for state transportation systems and programs; 317 (c) implement the transportation policies of the state; 318 (d) plan, develop, construct, and maintain state transportation systems that are safe, 319 reliable, environmentally sensitive, and serve the needs of the traveling public, 320 commerce, and industry; 321 (e) establish standards and procedures regarding the technical details of administration 322 of the state transportation systems as established by statute and administrative rule; 323 (f) advise the governor and the Legislature about state transportation systems needs; 324 (g) coordinate with utility companies for the reasonable, efficient, and cost-effective 325 installation, maintenance, operation, relocation, and upgrade of utilities within state 326 highway rights-of-way; 327 (h) in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, 328 make rules for the administration of the department, state transportation systems, and 329 programs; 330 (i) jointly with the commission annually report to the Transportation Interim Committee, 331 by November 30 of each year, as to the operation, maintenance, condition, mobility, 332 safety needs, and wildlife and livestock mitigation for state transportation systems; 333 (j) ensure that any training or certification required of a public official or public 334 employee, as those terms are defined in Section 63G-22-102, complies with Title 335 63G, Chapter 22, State Training and Certification Requirements, if the training or - 10 - 12-20 15:40 H.B. 53 336 certification is required: 337 (i) under this title; 338 (ii) by the department; or 339 (iii) by an agency or division within the department; 340 (k) study and make recommendations to the Legislature on potential managed lane use 341 and implementation on selected transportation systems within the state; 342 (l) before July 1 of each year, coordinate with the Utah Highway Patrol Division created 343 in Section 53-8-103 regarding: 344 (i) future highway projects that will add additional capacity to the state transportation 345 system; 346 (ii) potential changes in law enforcement responsibilities due to future highway 347 projects; and 348 (iii) incident management services on state highways;[ and] 349 (m) provide public transit services, in consultation with any relevant public transit 350 provider[.] ; and 351 (n) implement a public service campaign as described in Section 72-2-135, in 352 coordination with relevant stakeholders including permitted landfills and transfer 353 stations, to generate public awareness regarding the importance of proper 354 transportation and disposal of waste and maintaining clean roads and highways. 355 (2)(a) The department shall exercise reasonable care in designing, constructing, and 356 maintaining a state highway in a reasonably safe condition for travel. 357 (b) Nothing in this section shall be construed as: 358 (i) creating a private right of action; or 359 (ii) expanding or changing the department's common law duty as described in 360 Subsection (2)(a) for liability purposes. 361 Section 7. Section 72-2-135 is enacted to read: 362 72-2-135 . Litter Abatement Expendable Special Revenue Fund. 363 (1) There is created an expendable special revenue fund, known as the "Litter Abatement 364 Expendable Special Revenue Fund." 365 (2) The fund shall consist of: 366 (a) the fees described in Subsections 41-1a-1206(1)(i) and (1)(j); and 367 (b) the landfill minimum fee for an unsecured load as described in Section 72-7-410. 368 (3) The department shall use money in the fund for: 369 (a) litter cleanup efforts on or near highways, including highways near waste - 11 - H.B. 53 12-20 15:40 370 management facilities and other high-litter areas the department identifies; 371 (b) a public service campaign to generate awareness regarding the importance of proper 372 transportation and disposal of waste, the negative impact of littering, and the need to 373 maintain clean highways; and 374 (c) increased enforcement of Sections 41-6a-1712, 41-6a-1713, and 72-7-410. 375 Section 8. Section 72-7-409 is amended to read: 376 72-7-409 . Loads on vehicles -- Limitations -- Confining, securing, and fastening 377 load required -- Penalty. 378 (1) As used in this section: 379 (a) "Agricultural product" means any raw product which is derived from agriculture, 380 including silage, hay, straw, grain, manure, and other similar product. 381 (b)(i) "Unsecured load" means the contents of a vehicle, operated on a highway, not 382 sufficiently covered, confined, fastened, or otherwise secured in a way to prevent 383 the contents from escaping the vehicle. 384 (ii) "Unsecured load" includes materials such as dirt, sand, gravel, rock fragments, 385 pebbles, crushed base, aggregate, any other similar material, or scrap metal or 386 other loose material on any portion of the vehicle not designed to carry the 387 material. 388 (c) "Vehicle" means the same as that term is defined in Section 41-1a-102. 389 (2) Except as provided in Subsections (3) through (5), a person may not: 390 (a) operate a vehicle with an unsecured load on any highway; or 391 (b) operate a vehicle carrying trash or garbage without a covering over the entire load. 392 (3)(a) A vehicle carrying dirt, sand, gravel, rock fragments, pebbles, crushed base, 393 aggregate, any other similar material, or scrap metal shall have a covering over the 394 entire load unless: 395 (i) the highest point of the load does not extend above the top of any exterior wall or 396 sideboard of the cargo compartment of the vehicle; and 397 (ii) the outer edges of the load are at least six inches below the top inside edges of the 398 exterior walls or sideboards of the cargo compartment of the vehicle. 399 (b) The following material is exempt from the provisions of Subsection (3)(a): 400 (i) hot mix asphalt; 401 (ii) construction debris or scrap metal if the debris or scrap metal is a size and in a 402 form not susceptible to being blown out of the vehicle; 403 (iii) material being transported across a highway between two parcels of property that - 12 - 12-20 15:40 H.B. 53 404 would be contiguous but for the highway that is being crossed; and 405 (iv) material listed under Subsection (3)(a) that is enclosed on all sides by containers, 406 bags, or packaging. 407 (c) A chemical substance capable of coating or bonding a load so that the load is 408 confined on a vehicle, may be considered a covering for purposes of Subsection (3)(a) 409 so long as the chemical substance remains effective at confining the load. 410 (4) Subsection (2) does not apply to a vehicle or implement of husbandry carrying an 411 agricultural product, if the agricultural product is: 412 (a) being transported in a manner which is not a hazard or a potential hazard to the safe 413 operation of the vehicle or to other highway users; and 414 (b) loaded in a manner that only allows minimal spillage. 415 (5)(a) An authorized vehicle performing snow removal services on a highway is exempt 416 from the requirements of this section. 417 (b) This section does not prohibit the necessary spreading of any substance connected 418 with highway maintenance, construction, securing traction, or snow removal. 419 (6)(a) Any person suspected of operating a vehicle with an unsecured load on a 420 highway may be issued a warning. 421 (b) Any person who violates this section is guilty of: 422 (i) [an infraction] a class C misdemeanor, if the violation creates a hazard but does not 423 lead to a motor vehicle accident; 424 (ii) a class B misdemeanor, if the violation creates a hazard that leads to a motor 425 vehicle accident; or 426 (iii) a class A misdemeanor, if the violation creates a hazard that leads to a motor 427 vehicle accident that results in the serious bodily injury or death of a person. 428 (c) A person who violates a provision of this section shall be fined not less than: 429 (i) $200 for a violation; or 430 (ii) $500 for a second or subsequent violation within six years of a previous violation 431 of this section. 432 (d) A person who violates a provision of this section while operating a commercial 433 vehicle as defined in Section 72-9-102 shall be fined: 434 (i) not less than $500 for a violation; or 435 (ii) $1,000 for a second or subsequent violation within six years of a previous 436 violation of this section. 437 (7) As resources and opportunities allow, the department shall implement programs or - 13 - H.B. 53 12-20 15:40 438 activities that increase public awareness on the importance of properly securing loads. 439 Section 9. Section 72-7-410 is enacted to read: 440 72-7-410 . Public landfill litter abatement fee. 441 (1) As used in this section: 442 (a) "Landfill" means a landfill or transfer station that is permitted by the Department of 443 Environmental Quality. 444 (b) "Securely covered" means that the content of a load is completely covered by a solid 445 barrier which will prevent the load from blowing, spilling, or falling from the vehicle. 446 (2) A driver utilizing a landfill shall ensure that the vehicle's load is securely covered from 447 the destination of origin until the driver deposits the load at the landfill. 448 (3)(a) A landfill shall collect a $10 minimum fee for a vehicle in violation of Subsection 449 (2), beginning no later than July 1, 2026. 450 (b) Five dollars of the fee described in Subsection (3)(a) shall be collected by the 451 Department of Environmental Quality and deposited into the Litter Abatement 452 Expendable Special Revenue Fund created in Section 72-2-135. 453 (c) The remainder of the fee described in Subsection (3)(a) shall be retained by the 454 collecting landfill. 455 (d) The minimum fee described in Subsection (3)(a) does not preclude a landfill from 456 imposing an additional or higher fee for an unsecured load. 457 (e) A landfill may impose an additional penalty for a driver who repeatedly violates 458 Subsection (2). 459 (4) A landfill shall provide an annual report to the Department of Environmental Quality on 460 or before March 1 regarding violations of Subsection (2). 461 Section 10. Effective Date. 462 This bill takes effect on May 7, 2025. - 14 -