23-13-265. Exempt motor carrier to possess annual receipt.

23-13-265. Exempt motor carrier to possess annual receipt. (a)(1) It is declared unlawful for any motor carrier of property who is exempt from certain provisions of this subchapter pursuant to § 23-13-206(a)(6) to use any of the public highways of this state for the transportation of property for hire in intrastate commerce without possessing a copy of an annual receipt from the State Highway Commission permitting those operations. (2) Copies of the annual receipt shall be made and maintained in the cab of the power unit of each motor vehicle operated over the highways of this state while transporting property for hire intrastate. (3)(A) Every application for a permit for the transportation of property by a carrier shall be in writing on a form to be specified by the commission. (B) The application shall contain and be accompanied by the following: (i) The name and trade name, if any, and address or location of the principal office or place of business of the applicant; (ii) A statement giving full information concerning the ownership, reasonable value, and physical condition of vehicles and other property to be used by the applicant in the intrastate operations; (iii) A full and complete financial statement giving detailed information concerning the financial condition of the applicant; (iv) Proof of public liability insurance in the amounts set out in all rules made and promulgated by the commission; (v) In the event the motor carrier did not hold a valid certificate or permit authorizing intrastate transportation by motor vehicle in this state on December 31, 1994, remittance of a processing fee in the amount of twenty-five dollars ($25.00); (vi) Remittance of an insurance filing fee in the amount of five dollars ($5.00) for each motor vehicle, truck, or truck-tractor, to be operated in the State of Arkansas in intrastate operations; (vii)(a) Remittance of a copy of the motor carrier's latest United States Department of Transportation safety rating or, in the event the carrier has not been given a safety rating, a signed notarized statement indicating the company's intention to comply with all United States Department of Transportation safety regulations. (b) At any time as may be practical, a physical inspection of the equipment may be made by the Arkansas Highway Police Division of the Arkansas Department of Transportation; (viii) At the option of the applicant, the motor carrier may request that any and all laws, regulations, or other provisions relating to uniform cargo liability rules, uniform bills of lading and receipts for property being transported, uniform cargo credit rules, or antitrust immunity for joint line rates or routes, classification, and mileage guides, apply to the carrier; and (ix) Any other information that may be required by the commission. (b)(1) Every motor carrier of property complying to the satisfaction of the commission with the provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall be issued a receipt for the current year indicating the name of the motor carrier's company, the principal place of business of the carrier, and the number of motor vehicles to be operated in Arkansas. (2)(A) Copies of the receipt shall be made by the motor carrier and shall be maintained in the power unit of each motor vehicle operated over the highways of Arkansas while transporting property for hire intrastate. (B) The receipt shall be presented by the driver of the motor vehicle for inspection by any authorized government personnel. (C) Failure to carry the receipt and maintain adequate proof of public liability insurance shall subject the motor carrier to the civil and criminal penalties and fines as are authorized by this subchapter. (c)(1) Every motor carrier of property which held a valid certificate or permit authorizing intrastate transportation by motor vehicle in the state on December 31, 1994, shall continue to be authorized to transport property for hire in the state and shall be issued an annual receipt after complying with the provisions of subdivisions (a)(3)(B)(iv), (vi), (viii), and (ix) of this section. Provided, neither the previously held certificate, the previously held permit, nor any annual receipt issued pursuant to this section shall have any asset value. (2) Every motor carrier of property initially complying with all the provisions of subsection (a) of this section to the satisfaction of the commission and issued an annual receipt shall thereafter be issued an annual receipt upon complying with subdivisions (a)(3)(B)(iv), (vi), (viii), and (ix) of this section. (d) The annual fee required by subdivision (a)(3)(B)(vi) of this section shall not be required for each motor vehicle if the motor carrier of property otherwise remits the proper annual registration fees to the commission pursuant to § 23-13-235, or the motor carrier of property otherwise remits the proper annual registration fees for the benefit of the State of Arkansas to the motor carrier's base state. (e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section to the contrary, the commission shall have the authority to periodically review the motor carrier's fitness and shall have the authority to suspend or revoke the annual receipt or other credential granting the right of the motor carrier to operate intrastate if the motor carrier is determined by the commission to be unfit or unsafe, or fails to maintain adequate public liability insurance. (f) The commission shall have the authority to make and promulgate rules for the implementation of this section. (g) All fees received by the commission pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be deposited with the Treasurer of State and classified as general revenues for distribution and usage as provided by the laws of this state; provided, one and one-half percent (1.5%) of all the funds so deposited shall be classified as special revenues and transferred by the Treasurer of State on the last business day of each month in which they are deposited to the State Highway and Transportation Department Fund to be utilized by the Arkansas Department of Transportation for the purpose of administering this subchapter.