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SB 339

AN ACT relating to motor carrier safety regulation.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jimmy Higdon

Kentucky will regulate motor carriers primarily through the Department of Vehicle Regulation, aligning state rules with federal FMCSA standards while preserving farm/intrastate exe

to Committee on Committees (S)
#agriculture #federallawsandregulations #motorcarriers #stateagencies
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Bill Summary · SB 339

Summary of SB 339 (2026 Kentucky Session)

Purpose and intent

  • The bill relates to motor carrier safety regulation in Kentucky, aligning state regulation with federal standards and delegating certain safety oversight activities to state agencies. Its overarching goal is to regulate motor carriers, vehicles, and drivers to promote safe operation on Kentucky roadways.

Key provisions and changes

  • Department of Vehicle Regulation (DVR) responsibilities

    • The DVR is designated to handle all administrative functions in relation to motor carrier transportation in Kentucky.
    • The department should, as far as practicable, apply federal regulations and interpretations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and other federal agencies.
    • The DVR may regulate motor carriers under the chapter by establishing reasonable requirements related to:
    • Continuous and adequate transportation service
    • Systems of accounts, records, and reports
    • Record preservation
    • Safety of operation and equipment
    • The DVR is authorized to conduct administrative hearings under Kentucky law (KRS 13B) and to promulgate administrative regulations under KRS Chapter 13A to carry out the chapter’s provisions.
    • Specific regulatory authority includes establishing safety requirements for motor vehicles and vehicle operation, and adopting federal motor carrier safety regulations.

  • Application of federal standards

    • The bill states that, to the extent practicable, Title 49 of the United States Code (as adopted by subsection (1)) applies to drivers, vehicles, and motor carriers under Kentucky jurisdiction.
    • If a conflict arises between Kentucky law and the adopted federal standards, the federal standards shall control, with certain enumerated exceptions.
    • The bill clarifies that some federal regulatory provisions do not apply to certain agricultural or farming contexts (see exceptions below).

  • Specific carve-outs/exceptions

    • Several provisions from the FMCSA and related federal regulations have carve-outs for:
    • Fertilizer distribution equipment: A fertilizer spreader-attached vehicle (gross weight ≤ 36,000 pounds) and used only for bulk fertilizer transport is exempt from certain FMCSA rules.
    • Farm-wagon-type tank trailers (≤ 2,000 gallons) used during the fertilizer season for field storage and transporting fertilizer intrastate are exempt.
    • For Kentucky vehicle registrations under certain farm-related categories, federal rules on specific FMCSA sections (49 C.F.R. 393, and related sections) do not apply if:
    • The vehicle is not engaged in interstate commerce
    • The vehicle is farming or agriculturally related
    • The weight thresholds (≤ 26,000 pounds gross weight or related ratings) apply
    • Similar exemptions apply to other listed FMCSA sections (e.g., 49 C.F.R. 391.41–391.49 and 49 C.F.R. pt. 395) for certain farm or intrastate farm operations with weight limits.
    • The exemptions emphasize intrastate agricultural operations, and limit applicability based on interstate commerce status, use case (agricultural), and weight limits.

  • Motor carrier safety management audit

    • The Kentucky State Police would oversee all administrative functions related to the motor carrier safety management audit program, administered in line with FMCSA and federal regulations.

Affected entities

  • State agencies
    • Department of Vehicle Regulation: primary regulator for motor carrier safety and related regulatory functions.
    • Kentucky State Police: administers the motor carrier safety management audit program pursuant to the bill.
  • Motor carriers, drivers, and vehicles operating under Kentucky jurisdiction
    • Carriers must comply with DVR regulations and, where applicable, federal FMCSA rules adopted by Kentucky.
    • Agricultural and farm-related operators may benefit from specified exemptions, especially for intrastate operations and certain weight limits.
  • Agricultural operations
    • Farm and agricultural transport equipment and operations may receive regulatory exemptions from certain FMCSA/federal requirements when meeting stated conditions (intrastate, specific weight caps, and farming use).

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill was introduced in the Senate on March 2, 2026, and referred to the Committee on Committees.
  • It outlines authority to promulgate administrative regulations (KRS 13A) and conduct hearings (KRS Chapter 13B), indicating an intended rulemaking process to implement these changes.
  • Specific federal standards apply “to the extent practicable,” with defined exemptions; the process to align state rules with FMCSA standards will likely involve regulatory rulemaking by the DVR and related agencies.

Overall impact

  • Provides a framework for Kentucky to regulate motor carriers in alignment with federal FMCSA standards while preserving certain exemptions for agricultural intrastate operations.
  • Shifts or confirms regulatory authority to the Department of Vehicle Regulation and the Kentucky State Police for safety audits.
  • Establishes a clear path for promulgation of regulations and administration of hearings to enforce motor carrier safety rules within the Commonwealth.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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