(a)
(1) From each common or contract carrier of passengers or property, there shall be collected an annual fee for the registration of insurance. The annual registration fee to be collected from each common or contract carrier of passengers or property holding only a certificate or permit issued pursuant to this subchapter shall be five dollars ($5.00) for each bus, truck, or truck-tractor of the carrier to be operated in this state.
(2) The annual registration fee for the registration of insurance to be collected from any other carrier, including a carrier holding a certificate or permit issued by the United States Surface Transportation Board, on behalf of the State of Arkansas shall be collected under the base state registration program and shall be five dollars ($5.00) per motor vehicle.
(3) The Arkansas Department of Transportation shall also collect fees under the base state registration program on behalf of and for all other participating states of travel from all carriers based in the State of Arkansas. All fees collected on behalf of other participating states shall be collected in the amount required by that state and remitted to that state under the rules adopted by the United States Surface Transportation Board.
(b) All fees as set out in this section shall be due and payable on or before January 1 of each year to cover the ensuing calendar year. However, the fees to be collected from the holders of temporary authority shall be due and payable before the authority is first exercised.
(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring the payment of more than the fees for each bus, truck, or truck-tractor so used as set out in subsection (a) of this section, but the fee shall be paid annually for each motor vehicle, as the term “motor vehicle” is defined in rules of the United States Surface Transportation Board.
(d) Failure on the part of any person or carrier to pay the annual registration fees as provided in this section shall be a violation of this subchapter, and upon conviction the person or carrier shall be punished as provided in § 23-13-257.