A. A tariffed service carrier shall not commence operations or perform a new service under its operating authority without having an approved tariff on file with the department.

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B. A tariffed service carrier shall file with the department proposed tariffs showing the rates for transportation and all related activities and containing a description of the type and nature of the service, territory and all terms of service for transportation and related services. The rates shall be stated in terms of United States currency. Tariffs for individual carriers shall also include the carrier’s legal name, all business trade names used by the carrier, contact information, information for service of process, the territory authorized for each transportation service listed in the tariff and any terms of service contained in the operating authorities for that particular carrier. Each tariffed service carrier operating pursuant to a statewide tariff shall file with the department a tariff statement referencing the statewide tariff being used and include the carrier’s legal name, all business trade names used by the carrier, contact information, information for service of process, the territory authorized for that carrier and any terms of service contained in the operating authority for that particular carrier.

C. A tariffed service carrier shall not charge, or permit its agents, employees or contract drivers to charge, a different or additional rate, or to use different or additional practices or terms of service, for transportation or for a service rendered to or for the user of the service other than the rates and terms of service specified in approved tariffs in effect at the time, except:

(1)     for ambulance and household goods service carriers, in accordance with rates and terms of service established by federal or state law for federal or state governmental programs or operations; and

(2)     for tariffed passenger service carriers other than ambulance service carriers, in accordance with the rates and terms of service established by governmental programs or operations in which they voluntarily participate.

D. A tariffed service carrier shall not pay or refund, directly or indirectly to any person, a portion of the rate specified in its approved tariff, offer to a person privileges or facilities, perform a service or remit anything of value, except:

(1)     in accordance with tariffs approved by the department;

(2)     for ambulance and household goods service carriers, in accordance with rates and terms of service established by federal and state law for federal and state governmental entities, programs or operations;

(3)     for tariffed passenger service carriers other than ambulance service carriers, in accordance with the rates and terms of service established by governmental programs or operations in which they voluntarily participate; or

(4)     in settling or resolving a claim by a customer.

E. The department shall post on its internet website electronic copies of all currently approved individual and statewide tariffs, and all tariff statements filed by carriers using statewide tariffs, in a manner to facilitate public access, review and comparison of rates and terms of service. A certificated passenger service carrier other than an ambulance service carrier shall post its tariff rates in each vehicle used in the provision of its transportation service.

F. A tariffed service carrier shall file an application with the department for any change in the tariff, accompanied by the proposed tariff, at least twenty days prior to implementation of the amended rates and terms of service contained in the tariff. Except as provided in this section, an amended tariff shall be approved and become effective twenty days after filing of the application for a change in the tariff. The department shall post notice of each application for a change in a tariff along with a copy of the proposed tariff on the department website.

G. No changes in terms of service disapproved by the traffic safety bureau of the department as inconsistent with the Motor Carrier Act, rule of the department, the individual operating authority of the carrier or otherwise in violation of law shall become effective or be part of the approved tariff. The following terms of service contained in a tariff shall not be considered inconsistent with, or predatory or discriminatory in nature under the Motor Carrier Act or department rule:

(1)     a carrier may decline or terminate service under circumstances that reasonably appear to present a physical danger to the driver, to another employee of the carrier or to passengers or, for carriers other than ambulance service carriers, a danger to the condition of the motor vehicle or cargo;

(2)     a carrier is not responsible for cancellations or delays due to weather or road conditions when reasonably required for safety or when due to road construction, road closures, law enforcement stops or similar matters beyond the control of the carrier;

(3)     a passenger service carrier may require that all firearms carried by any passenger other than an authorized law enforcement officer be unloaded and placed in a locked area of the vehicle during transport, along with all ammunition and any other weapons; or

(4)     a passenger service carrier other than an ambulance service carrier may decline or terminate service when the passenger cannot give an adequate description of, or direction to, the destination or cannot transfer into or out of the motor vehicle without requiring physical assistance from the driver.

H. An application for amendment of tariff rates that increases any tariff rate to a level greater than that previously approved by the department for a full-service carrier or

a towing service providing nonconsensual tows shall not become effective until approved by the department as reasonable under Section 65-2A-21 N.M. Stat. Ann.. The department shall hold a hearing appropriate to the type of transportation service provided by the carrier for any such application, if requested by the applicant or by the traffic safety bureau of the department, or if ordered in the discretion of the department. The department may provide for reasonable periodic rate increases for full-service carriers or towing services providing nonconsensual tows pursuant to a rate escalator or adjustment clause for any or all rates of a carrier on such basis as the department finds reasonable.

I. A person may make a complaint in writing to the department that a rate or term of service contained in a tariff, or a rate otherwise charged or practice otherwise effected, is inconsistent with or in violation of the Motor Carrier Act, department rule or the operating authority or current tariff of the motor carrier. The department may suspend the operation of a rate, term of service or practice for a period not to exceed sixty days to investigate its reasonableness. If the department finds that a rate charged by a tariffed carrier, or a term of service or practice effected by a tariffed carrier, is unauthorized, predatory or discriminatory, the department shall prescribe the rate or the maximum or minimum rate to be observed or the terms of service to be made effective.