Senate Bill 579 Summary

• Eliminates registration of farm semitrailers and tractors after December 31, 2011, allowing only farm trucks and farm trailers to qualify for farm vehicle registration going forward.

• Maintains the 50% reduction in annual excise tax for farm trucks and farm trailers with at least 11,000 pounds declared gross weight used in agricultural pursuits, effective after December 31, 2011.

• Removes farm semitrailer and tractor provisions from seasonal transportation allowances for perishable fruits, vegetables, tomatoes, and silage after December 31, 2011, limiting these exemptions to farm trucks and trailers only.

• Updates penalty provisions to apply only to farm trucks and farm trailers operating in violation of commercial use restrictions after December 31, 2011.

• Effective date: July 1, 2011, with the farm semitrailer and tractor registration prohibition taking effect January 1, 2012.