H165 - Department of Transportation Legislative Changes. (SL 2021-185)

Overview: S.L. 2021-185 makes various changes to the transportation laws of this State, and more specifically:

• Requires the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to study right-of-way planning and acquisition procedures.
• Repeals the Map Act damages monetary cap enacted by S.L. 2019-251.
• Modifies the fiscal-year look back period for Transportation Investment Strategy Formula variance.
• Expands application of division need project alternate quantitative criteria within the Transportation Investment Strategy Formula for time-critical job creation opportunities.
• Increases cost threshold for the NCDOT small project informal bidding authority.
• Amends non-State dollar cost-share exemption under the Shallow Draft Navigation Channel Dredging and Aquatic Weed Fund for certain channel dredging projects, as enacted by S.L. 2021-108.
• Modifies and clarifies requirements for NCDOT litter removal coordination with right-of-way mowing.
• Requires all insurers to submit certain motor vehicle liability policy notifications to the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) electronically.
• Clarifies the DMV must offer in person and online renewals for handicapped credentials.
• Requires the DMV to disqualify persons from operating a commercial motor vehicle for certain convictions of severe forms of trafficking in persons to comply with federal law.
• Clarifies DMV dealer and inspection license hearing transfer feasibility study requirements enacted by S.L. 2021-134.
• Delays the implementation date of certain implied consent offense revocation timing modifications enacted by S.L. 2021-134.
• Extends DMV's authority, as enacted by S.L. 2021-13, to promulgate emergency rules to modify road test requirements during the coronavirus emergency.
• Modifies DMV procedures that relate to motor vehicle insurance lapse and requires the DMV to submit a plan to create a system to allow electronic submission of certain insurance documentation.
• Clarifies NCDOT and Turnpike Authority designated managed lane use violations are punishable as infractions.
• Amends passenger bus length restrictions to authorize longer articulated buses.
• Authorizes commercial driver training schools to administer Level 2 provisional license road tests.
• Authorizes Durham charter schools meeting certain conditions to utilize on-street right-of-way for temporary student loading and unloading.
• Eliminates the notarized signature requirement for an owner-retained salvage form.

Except as otherwise provided, this act became effective November 23, 2021. The provision regarding the DMV road test rule making authority became effective September 30, 2021. The provisions regarding managed lanes and commercial driver training schools became effective December 1, 2021.