Senate Bill 51 Summary

• Increases fees for motor vehicle registration and license plate services, including temporary permits rising from $7.50 to $5-$10 depending on the service, and raises fees for contract license office operations.

• Extends the alternative fuel vehicle tax credit program sunset date from August 28, 2008 to August 28, 2013, and modifies the cumulative annual tax credit cap to $1 million per year (previously tiered between $2-3 million).

• Updates commercial driver's license (CDL) requirements and definitions to align with federal regulations, including adding texting and hand-held mobile phone prohibitions, and establishing a compliance deadline of July 8, 2015.

• Modifies towing company standards to begin January 1, 2014 (instead of 2005) and adjusts insurance requirements to be prescribed by the U.S. Department of Transportation rather than specifying a fixed dollar amount.

• Adds provisions for emergency utility response permits for post-disaster utility repairs and includes requirements for data integration access by quasi-government entities that manage criminal justice information systems.