Transportation

Requires that upon transfer of jurisdiction over state highway from Department of Transportation (ODOT) to other road authority, Travel Information Council (TIC) retains authority over tourist oriented directional signs and logo signs. Requires ODOT to give notice to TIC of proposed transfers. Requires that as a condition of transfer, receiving jurisdiction must agree to protect the signs from removal or destruction.

Directs Association of Oregon Counties to establish a work group of county officials to study the method by which highway funds are allocated to counties. Allows appointment of persons other than county officials. Specifies certain issues to be included in the study.

Requires the Department of Transportation to transfer the portion of identification card fees exceeding the cost of issuance to the Elderly and Disabled Special Transportation Fund.

Allows motor vehicle fuel (gasoline) dealers to receive, upon application, a refund of fuel tax paid under certain conditions, if the dealer has received less than full consideration for the fuel from the purchaser. The account must have been declared uncollectible by the dealer following federal standards for determining deductibility and only one refund is allowed per purchaser. Directs Department of Transportation to adopt rules governing the refund process.

Increases threshold amount of property damage that requires driver and owner to file Driver and Motor Vehicle Services (DMV) accident report, from $1,000 to $1,500. Removes dual reporting requirement in some cases. Requires only damaged vehicle’s driver and owner to file when damage amount from $1,500 up to level requiring vehicle to be towed from scene; requires all drivers and owners to file when any vehicle towed from scene.

Revokes, rather than suspends, the driver’s license of a person convicted for the third time of misdemeanor driving under the influence of intoxicants.

Expands eligibility for permanent antique or special interest vehicle registration by removing requirement that they be “motor vehicles,” and requiring only that they be “vehicles.” Antique vehicles are defined as motor vehicles maintained as collector’s items that are older than half the number of years between the current year and 1900.