SB332 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Kirk HatcherSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Motor carriers, update references to the federal motor carrier safety regulation, Sec. 32-9A-2 am'd.

Summary

SB332 updates Alabama's motor carrier laws to align with federal safety rules, adds metal coil load securement requirements, and creates driver certification and enforcement provisions.

What This Bill Does

It updates Alabama's motor carrier rules to require compliance with current federal safety regulations and their future amendments, including load securement for metal coils. It requires certification in proper load securement for metal coils, with certification conducted according to Department of Public Safety standards on forms provided by the department, and it requires drivers and carriers to comply with these rules. It imposes enforcement measures for law enforcement, including mandatory CVSA basic-course training for officers and annual in-service training, and it introduces flexibility and exemptions related to hours of service for certain intrastate operations (utility vehicles and small CMVs) and emergency waivers.

Who It Affects

• Commercial motor vehicle operators and motor carriers, especially those transporting metal coils, who must comply with updated federal motor carrier safety regulations and load securement requirements.
• Law enforcement officers and the Department of Public Safety, who will enforce the regulations and provide/train officers in CVSA standards and CMV safety procedures.
• Utility service vehicle operators engaged in intrastate commerce, who may have hours-of-service exemptions until mid-2006, subject to federal funding conditions and possible earlier implementation.
• Operators of intrastate CMVs under 26,001 pounds (with certain exceptions for larger passenger vehicles and hazardous materials) who are exempt from the federal CMV regulations.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 32-9A-2 to require compliance with federal motor carrier safety regulations as prescribed by the U.S. Department of Transportation (49 C.F.R. parts 107, 171-180, 380, 382-387, 390-399 and amendments).
• Adds metal coil load securement requirements: prohibits operation or ownership of CMVs with noncompliant load securement under 49 C.F.R. §393.120; requires operator certification in proper load securement per §393.120, with DPS standards and department-provided forms.
• Requires law enforcement training: officers must complete the CVSA basic course and receive annual in-service training on CMV operations, safety inspections, and out-of-service criteria; qualified officers may arrest or cite CMV drivers with reasonable cause.
• Provides regulatory flexibility: allows suspension or earlier adoption of hours-of-service rules for utility intrastate vehicles, allows departmental waivers and exemptions under federal law, and permits emergency timetables or waivers if funding is not jeopardized.
• Establishes intrastate exemptions: CMVs not meeting certain weight and vehicle-type thresholds (e.g., under 26,001 pounds, with exceptions) are exempt from federal CMV regulations applicable in this state; defines 'commercial motor vehicle' per 49 C.F.R. §390.5.
• DPS duties: publish standards for training drivers in proper load securement for metal coils and provide for driver certification.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Motor Vehicles