SF 2216 – Motor carrier and motor truck registration
FLOOR ACTION:
SF 2216 was originally approved unanimously by the Senate on February 29. The House amended the bill on March 27. This Department of Transportation (DOT) bill addresses the registration of commercial motor vehicles that operate in interstate trucking and are subject to the International Registration Plan (IRP). IRP is an agreement providing registration reciprocity among all 48 contiguous states of the United States, the District of Columbia, and various Canadian provinces. The IRP agreement provides for the payment of registration fees on the basis of fleet distance operated in the various jurisdictions. Even though fees are paid to multiple jurisdictions through the “base jurisdiction,” only one license plate and registration cab card (known as “credentials”) is required for each vehicle. IRP is intended to facilitate free and efficient movement of commerce among states.
The bill makes these changes to simplify the registration and titling process and allow the DOT to balance its workload, as well as improve the process for customers and law enforcement:
** Updates Iowa Code chapter 326 (Registration Reciprocity) in conformance with the IRP, which is the governing document for registration reciprocity.
** Implements a “staggered registration” system for IRP vehicles so that the registrations and renewals are spread evenly throughout the year. Currently these registrations are all based on a calendar year and expire each December 31.
** Provides for “county truck” registration to be staggered, based on the owner’s birth month, as are passenger vehicle registrations. As with IRP vehicles, trucks registered at the county level for use in-state are also currently based on a calendar year basis. “County trucks” are registered in accordance with chapter 321.
** Eliminates the half-year payment option for truck registration and makes conforming changes.
** Provides that trailers registered under the IRP will continue to have an annual and five-year payment option and eliminates the three-year trailer registration option. Permanent plates are available in both the annual or five-year options.
** Eliminates the grace period for IRP truck registration renewal. Notices will be sent to a customer 60 days prior to the renewal month and a customer will have until the last day of the renewal month to renew a vehicle registration.
** Makes various process changes to the cab card and decals used for credentials for IRP registered trucks. [4/3: 48-0 (Bertrand, Horn excused]