What is MHTA?
Ten western states have joined an alliance designed to foster cooperation on a variety of highway-related issues, including truck size and weight, highway safety, cooperative state highway administration and improved commercial vehicle safety inspections. The alliance, known as the Multi-State Highway Transportation Agreement (MHTA), recognized the unique transportation challenges faced by rural western states and was intended to improve communication between state legislators, state administrators and private industry.
November 14th 2009
We have just concluded the Fall Conference for MHTA in Scottsdale AZ. Although the conference was for a short day and half, we were able to tack our meeting onto the meetings the trucking associations were having, to save travel money and time. The Conference had several important outcomes that will help us shape MHTA for the future.
Seven resolutions were developed from input from the members and these resolutions were discussed and voted on at the Fall Conference.
1. 2009-1: Income Tax on Interstate Trucking Operations- Passed
2. 2009-2: CVSA Lead Agency Oversight and Inspection Data Processes- Passed as amended.
3. 2009-3: Climate Change Legislation- Failed
4. 2009-4: Smart Way Tax Incentives Encouraged at State Level- Passed
5. 2009-5: Create DBA for MHTA- Western States Transportation Alliance or WSTA - passed
6. 2009-6: Create a Process for Regional Permits for Energy Loads in Western States to be coordinated- Passed
7. 2009-7: Lifting of western Longer Vehicle Combination Freeze & allow state pilot projects- Passed
In addition, we will soon be posting the MHTA Action Plan which will include the action plan for these resolutions with member states, electronic presentations on MHTA and the federal reauthorization process. We will also be expanding the contact information for each state to include all relevant state agencies and other vital information.
MHTA has filed for the new DBA under their Colorado Corporation as a non-profit and that new DBA is Western States Transportation Alliance (WSTA). All MHTA communications and documents will list this new DBA.
Summer Conference 2010: Salt Lake Utah on June 27-29. Please reserve the dates as we plan on having a full agenda.