Committee adopts third-reader amendment to allow out-of-state trailer registration

The House Environment and Transportation Committee approved a third-reader amendment to SB 111 that authorizes out-of-state registration for trailers and applies reciprocity to automated traffic enforcement, the chair said.

The chair asked members to adopt the amendment and said "the motor vehicle administration supports the exception for out of state registration for trailers." Delegate Anderson asked whether there is a GVW (gross vehicle weight) requirement for the trailer exception; the chair responded that there is no such exception and that the amendment would effectively excuse trailers from having in-state license plates. The chair also said the provision is intended, in part, to allow farmers to use out-of-state plates without violating law.

Members agreed to the amendment by voice vote; the chair announced it would be recorded as a third-reader amendment and noted the committee might need to meet later for concurrences off the floor. The transcript does not include a roll-call tally or the names of a mover or seconder for the amendment.

The committee’s action changes trailer registration reciprocity in the bill as described on the floor and signals further procedural steps could occur later in the day.