Nevada § 481A.010 - Enactment and text of Agreement

§ 481A.010. Enactment and text of Agreement

The Multistate Highway Transportation Agreement is hereby enacted into law and entered

into with all jurisdictions legally joining therein, in the form substantially as

follows: ARTICLE I Findings and Purposes Section 1. Findings. The participating jurisdictions find that: (a) The expanding regional economy depends on expanding transportation capacity; (b) Highway transportation is the major mode for movement of persons and goods in

the western states; (c) Uniform application in the west of more adequate vehicle size and weight standards

will result in a reduction of pollution, congestion, fuel consumption and related

transportation costs, which are necessary to permit increased productivity; (d) A number of western states have already, to the fullest extent possible, adopted

substantially the 1964 Bureau of Public Roads recommended vehicle size and weight

standards; and (e) The participating jurisdictions are most capable of developing vehicle size and

weight standards most appropriate for the regional economy and transportation requirements,

consistent with and in recognition of principles of highway safety. Sec. 2. Purposes. The purposes of this agreement are to: (a) Adhere to the principle that each participating jurisdiction should have the freedom

to develop vehicle size and weight standards that it determines to be most appropriate

to its economy and highway system. (b) Establish a system authorizing the operation of vehicles traveling between two

or more participating jurisdictions at more adequate size and weight standards. (c) Promote uniformity among participating jurisdictions in vehicle size and weight

standards on the basis of the objectives set forth in this agreement. (d) Secure uniformity insofar as possible, of administrative procedures in the enforcement

of recommended vehicle size and weight standards. (e) Provide a means for the encouragement and utilization of research which will facilitate

the achievement of the foregoing purposes, with due regard for the findings set forth

in section 1 of this article. (f) Facilitate communication among legislators, state transportation administrators

and commercial industry representatives in addressing issues relating to highway transportation

in participating jurisdictions. ARTICLE II Definitions Section 1. As used in this agreement: (a) “ Cooperating committee ” means the committee consisting of the designated representatives from all participating

jurisdictions. (b) “ Designated representative ” means a legislator or other person authorized pursuant to Article XI to represent

the jurisdiction. (c) “ Jurisdiction ” means a state of the United States or the District of Columbia. (d) “ Vehicle ” means any vehicle as defined by statute to be subject to size and weight standards

which operates in two or more participating jurisdictions. ARTICLE III General Provisions Section 1. Qualifications for Membership. Participation in this agreement is open to jurisdictions which subscribe to the

findings, purposes and objectives of this agreement and will seek legislation necessary

to accomplish those objectives. Sec. 2. Cooperation. The participating jurisdictions, working through their designated representatives,

shall cooperate and assist each other in achieving the desired goals of this agreement

pursuant to appropriate statutory authority. Sec. 3. Effect of Headings. Article and section headings contained herein shall not be deemed to govern, limit,

modify or in any manner affect the scope, meaning or intent of the provisions of any

article or section of this agreement. Sec. 4. Vehicle Laws and Regulations. This agreement does not authorize the operation of a vehicle in any participating

jurisdiction contrary to the laws or regulations of the participating jurisdiction. Sec. 5. Interpretation. The final decision regarding interpretation of questions at issue relating to this

agreement must be reached by a unanimous joint action of the participating jurisdictions,

acting through the designated representatives. Results of all such actions must be placed in writing. Sec. 6. Amendment. This agreement may be amended by a unanimous joint action of the participating jurisdictions,

acting through the officials thereof authorized to enter into this agreement, subject

to the requirements of section 4 of article III. Any amendment must be placed in writing and become a part of this agreement. Sec. 7. Restrictions, Conditions or Limitations. Any jurisdiction entering into this agreement shall provide to each other participating

jurisdiction a list of any restriction, condition or limitation on the general terms

of this agreement, if any. Sec. 8. Additional Jurisdictions. Additional jurisdictions may become members of this agreement by signing and accepting

the terms of the agreement. ARTICLE IV Cooperating Committee Section 1. Each participating jurisdiction is entitled to select not more than two

designated representatives. Pursuant to section 2 of article III, the designated representatives of the participating

jurisdictions constitute a cooperating committee which may: (a) Collect, correlate, analyze and evaluate information resulting or derivable from

research and testing activities in relation to vehicle size and weight-related matters. (b) Recommend and encourage the undertaking of research and testing in any aspect

of vehicle size and weight or related matter when, in their collective judgment, appropriate

or sufficient research or testing has not been undertaken. (c) Recommend changes in law or policy with emphasis on compatibility of laws and

uniformity of administrative rules or regulations which would promote effective governmental

action or coordination in the field of vehicle size and weight-related matters. (d) Recommend improvements in highway operations, vehicular safety and state administration

of highway transportation laws. (e) Perform any functions required to carry out the purposes of this agreement. Sec. 2. Each designated representative of a participating jurisdiction is entitled

to one vote only. No action of the committee may be approved unless a majority of the total number

of votes cast by the designated representatives of the participating jurisdictions

are in favor of the action. Sec. 3. The committee shall meet at least once annually and shall elect, from among

its members, a chairman, a vice chairman and a secretary. Sec. 4. The committee shall submit annually to the legislature of each participating

jurisdiction a report setting forth the work of the committee during the preceding

year and including recommendations developed by the committee. The committee may submit such additional reports as it deems appropriate. ARTICLE V Objectives of the Participating Jurisdictions Section 1. Objectives. The participating jurisdictions hereby declare that: (a) It is the objective of the participating jurisdictions to obtain more efficient

and economical transportation by motor vehicles between and among the participating

jurisdictions by encouraging the adoption of standards that will, as minimums, allow

the operation of a vehicle or combination of vehicles in regular operation on all

state highways, except those determined through an engineering evaluation to be inadequate,

with a single-axle weight not in excess of 20,000 pounds, a tandem-axle weight not

in excess of 34,000 pounds, and a gross vehicle or combination weight not in excess

of that resulting from application of the formula: W = 500 [LN/ (N-1) + 12N + 36] where W = Maximum weight in pounds carried on any group of two or more axles computed to nearest

500 pounds. L = distance in feet between the extremes of any group of two or more consecutive axles. N = number of axles in group under consideration. (b) It is the further objective of the participating jurisdictions that the operation

of a vehicle or combination of vehicles in interstate commerce according to the provisions

of subsection (a) of this section be authorized under special permit authority by

each participating jurisdiction if the vehicle or combination of vehicles weighs more

than 80,000 pounds or exceeds the length prescribed by statute in the participating

jurisdiction in which the vehicle or combination of vehicles is operated. (c) It is the further objective of the participating jurisdictions to facilitate and

expedite the operation of any vehicle or combination of vehicles between and among

the participating jurisdictions under the provisions of subsection (a) or (b) of this

section, and to that end the participating jurisdictions hereby agree, through their

designated representatives, to meet and cooperate in the consideration of vehicle

size and weight-related matters, including, but not limited to, the development of

uniform enforcement procedures, additional vehicle size and weight standards, operational

standards, agreements or compacts to facilitate regional application and administration

of vehicle size and weight standards, uniform permit procedures, uniform application

forms, rules and regulations for the operation of vehicles, including equipment requirements,

driver qualifications, and operating practices, and such other matters as may be pertinent. (d) It is further the objective of the participating jurisdictions that the cooperating

committee may recommend that the participating jurisdictions jointly secure Congressional

approval of this agreement and, specifically of the vehicle size and weight standards

set forth in subsection (a) of this section. (e) It is the further objective of the participating jurisdictions to: (1) Establish transportation laws and regulations that satisfy regional and economic

requirements and promote an efficient, safe and compatible network of transportation. (2) Develop standards that facilitate the most efficient and environmentally sound

operation of vehicles on highways, consistent with and in recognition of the principles

of highway safety. (3) Establish programs to increase productivity and reduce congestion, consumption

of fuel and related costs of transportation and enhance the quality of air through

the uniform application of state vehicle laws and regulations. ARTICLE VI Entry Into Force and Withdrawal Section 1. This agreement enters into force when enacted into law by any two or more

jurisdictions. Thereafter, this agreement becomes effective as to any other jurisdiction upon its

enactment thereof, except as otherwise provided in section 8 of article III. Sec. 2. Any participating jurisdiction may withdraw from this agreement by cancelling

this agreement, but such a withdrawal must not take effect until 30 days after the

designated representatives of the withdrawing jurisdiction have given notice in writing

of the withdrawal to all other participating jurisdictions. ARTICLE VII Construction and Severability Section 1. This agreement must be liberally construed to effectuate the purposes thereof. Sec. 2. The provisions of this agreement are severable and if any phrase, clause,

sentence or provision of this agreement is declared to be contrary to the constitution

of any participating jurisdiction, or the applicability thereto to any government,

agency, person or circumstance is held invalid, the validity of the remainder of this

agreement must not be affected thereby. If this agreement is held to be contrary to the constitution of any jurisdiction

participating herein, the agreement remains in full force and effect as to the remaining

jurisdictions and in full force and effect as to the jurisdictions affected as to

all severable matters. ARTICLE VIII Filing of Documents Section 1. A copy of this agreement, its amendments, and rules or regulations promulgated

thereunder and interpretations thereof must be filed in the highway department in

each participating jurisdiction and must be made available for review by interested

parties. ARTICLE IX Cooperation by State Governments With Cooperating Committee Section 1. Within the limits of legislative appropriations, the departments, agencies

and officers of each participating jurisdiction may cooperate with and provide assistance

to the cooperating committee concerning any provision of this agreement. ARTICLE X Funding Section 1. Funds for the administration of this agreement, including participation

in the cooperating committee and the actual authorized expenses of the designated

representatives, must be budgeted from any fees collected for the highway fund of

each participating jurisdiction. ARTICLE XI Selection of Designated Representatives Section 1. Each participating jurisdiction shall establish by law the procedure for

selecting its designated representatives to serve on the cooperating committee.