61-3-708. Cooperative or reciprocal registration -- filing of insurance -- fee. (1) The department may enter into written agreements with agencies of other states to allow for the cooperative or reciprocal state registration of intrastate, interstate, or international motor carriers, private motor carriers, and freight forwarder and broker industries and may authorize the agency of a participating state to:

(a) issue interstate motor carrier registrations, stamps, and permits;

(b) accept filings of insurance, financial responsibility, and orders;

(c) collect and disburse fees;

(d) share and exchange information for audit, reporting, and enforcement purposes; and

(e) perform any other function that the department determines is justified to facilitate the cooperative or reciprocal registration.

(2) (a) The department may impose a fee set by rule on a motor carrier or freight forwarder or broker industry registered under an agreement entered into as provided in this section. The fee must be paid on each motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer operated by the motor carrier on the public highways of this state. At the time of initial registration and in each succeeding year at a time set by the department, the motor carrier shall pay the fee to the department.

(b) The department shall remit the fee to the state treasurer for deposit in the state special revenue fund for use by the department for motor carrier safety assistance.