ARTICLE 2B. CONSOLIDATION OF THE REGULATION OF THE MOTOR CARRIER INDUSTRY.

§17A-2B-1. Legislative findings and purpose.

(a) The Legislature finds that responsibility for delivery of government services and the enforcement of laws pertaining to the motor carrier industry currently resides in several state agencies, divisions and departments including the Division of Motor Vehicles, Public Service Commission, Division of Highways, State Tax Department and the State Police. The Division of Motor Vehicles currently administers numerous provisions of this code relating to the regulation of the motor carrier industry in this state, including chapter seventeen-a of this code, which prescribes the process for titling and registration of all motor vehicles, the provisions for commercial drivers licenses set forth in chapter seventeen-b of this code, and has numerous other responsibilities relating to the motor carrier industry. The Division of Motor Vehicles also has significant interaction with the various federal agencies and other state agencies responsible for the administration of government functions relative to the industry. It further appears to the Legislature that a significant portion of the responsibility, in terms of volume of transactions and its database, routine contact with the industry and assignment of staff pertaining to regulating the motor carrier industry, is currently vested in the Division of Motor Vehicles. Therefore, the Legislature finds that the Division of Motor Vehicles is the appropriate agency to plan the consolidation of the administration and enforcement of the various state laws pertaining to the motor carrier industry.

(b) The Legislature further finds that it is very cumbersome and onerous for motor carrier business entities to obtain the necessary permits, licenses and file the necessary returns, reports and other documents through numerous state agencies whose offices are scattered both geographically and administratively throughout state government. The lack of centralization of these various state agencies also results in the redundancy of information provided by motor carrier entities to the various state agencies. The Legislature further finds that the lack of centralization of these government functions does not encourage the growth and success of this industry in the State.

(c) The Legislature further finds that it would be more cost effective and efficient to both the state agencies and the motor carrier industry to provide these services through consolidated facilities, licensing and permitting processes and electronic information and communication technologies.

(d) Therefore, it is the purpose of this article to facilitate the consolidation of the administration of government services pertaining to the motor carrier industry and to designate the division as the lead agency in planning the consolidation of state government services and enforcement of laws pertaining to the regulation and taxation of the motor carrier industry.

§17A-2B-2. Development of plan of consolidation of government services and regulation applicable to the motor carrier industry.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this code to the contrary, the Division of Motor Vehicles is authorized and directed, and is designated the lead state agency to formulate and develop a plan for the consolidation of state government services and enforcement of laws pertaining to the regulation and taxation of the motor carrier industry.

(b) (1) The Public Service Commission, Division of Highways, State Tax Department and the State Police shall cooperate with the division and provide information, aid and assistance as requested by the division to plan the consolidation of state government services and of enforcement of laws pertaining to the regulation and taxation of the motor carrier industry.

(2) The division shall consult with these agencies and shall solicit and use any applicable experience and expertise that can be beneficial to the development of the plan of consolidation.

§17A-2B-3. Report to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.

(a) The Division of Motor Vehicles shall submit to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance on or before December 1, 2012, a report setting forth the plan for the consolidation of state government services and of enforcement of laws pertaining to the regulation and taxation of the motor carrier industry.

(b) The report shall make recommendations pertaining to changes in laws, administration, personnel and procedure in the provision of government services applicable to the motor carrier industry and shall include drafts of recommended legislation necessary to implement the proposed consolidation.