Transportation (Freight)

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 56-5-4140, RELATING TO GROSS WEIGHT OF VEHICLES, COMBINATIONS OF VEHICLES, AND LOADS, SO AS TO LIMIT THE GROSS WEIGHT OF FARM TRUCKS.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 56-5-4140, RELATING TO GROSS WEIGHT OF VEHICLES, COMBINATIONS OF VEHICLES, AND LOADS SO AS TO LIMIT THE GROSS WEIGHT OF FARM TRUCKS.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 12-37-2645, RELATING TO ASSESSMENT RATIO FOR A PRIVATE PASSENGER MOTOR VEHICLE, SO AS TO INCREASE THE WEIGHT LIMIT FOR PICKUP TRUCKS; BY AMENDING SECTION 56-3-630, RELATING TO VEHICLES CLASSIFIED AS PASSENGER MOTOR VEHICLES, SO AS TO INCREASE THE WEIGHT LIMIT FOR TRUCKS; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 12-28-1920, RELATING TO OPERATION OF PERMANENT OR PORTABLE WEIGH STATIONS, SO AS TO MAKE A CONFORMING CHANGE.

H 3969 permits business entities to operate personal delivery devices, which are small, automated cargo-carrying robots, within Richland County. The bill establishes specific rules for their use, including a maximum speed of ten miles per hour in pedestrian areas and on certain highways. These devices must be remotely monitored by a human operator, yield to pedestrians, and obey traffic laws. Businesses operating these devices must maintain at least $500,000 in liability insurance, and local governments can regulate the time and place of operation. The provisions of this act are set to expire three years after becoming law.