Port Bills Expected To Pass In California

Two bills that would affect truckers at California ports are likely to become law after the state legislature wraps up its session this week.

One bill will make the provider of the chassis responsible for maintaining the equipment in good repair – a major beef of intermodal truckers, who don’t have the ability to repair the chassis but get the tickets for bad brakes, non-working lights and the like once they’re on the road. This bill has already passed both houses of the legislature and awaits the governor’s signature.
The other bill would fine terminal operators $250 each time a truck must wait outside the terminal gate for more than 30 minutes. Terminals will likely address the issue by setting up an appointment system for truckers and/or extending gate hours. Compromise language added to the bill will give terminal operators a break on fines if they use either or both of these options. The California Trucking Assn., which is backing the legislation, expects it to be approved and sent to the governor.
The governor has until Sept. 30 to sign the bills, which were endorsed by trucking interests and the Teamsters union. Port trucking interests hope the legislation will become a model for other states with container ports.