1996-06-03                     House Journal                      Page 4659
HB 1007                                                                      
HOUSE BILL NO. 1007 by the House Rules Committee by request of                 
the Governor, entitled:                                                        
                                                                               

1996-06-03                     House Journal                      Page 4660
HB 1007                                                                      
 An Act relating to motor vehicle records and hearings of the                 
Department of Public Safety; increasing the period under which a               
person may drive a motor vehicle under a temporary permit;                     
relating to ownership of certain abandoned motor vehicles; relating            
to suspension or revocation of a motor vehicle registration or                 
special permit; relating to renewal of a driver's license by mail;             
relating to procedures applicable to administrative revocation of a            
driver's license; relating to commercial driver training schools;              
increasing the property damage amounts for proof of financial                  
responsibility and proof of motor vehicle eligibility in order to              
lawfully operate a motor vehicle in the state; amending the                    
definition of `commercial motor vehicle'; relating to prohibited               
operation of a commercial motor vehicle and to disqualification                
from driving a commercial motor vehicle; relating to certain                   
notifications in accidents involving property damage; relating to              
motor vehicle registration procedures; and providing for an                    
effective date.                                                                
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                 
                                                                               
The following fiscal notes apply:                                              
                                                                               
Zero fiscal note, Dept. of Public Safety, 6/3/96                               
Zero fiscal note, Dept. of Transportation & Public Facilities, 6/3/96          
                                                                               
The Governor's transmittal letter, dated June 3, 1996, appears below:          
                                                                               
Dear Speaker Phillips:                                                         
                                                                               
Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am     
transmitting an omnibus motor vehicle bill, which makes several                
amendments to our motor vehicle statutes, including statutes relating          
to commercial motor vehicles.                                                  
                                                                               
The bill will make our highways safer by increasing the Department             
of Public Safety's authority to enforce laws relating to commercial            
motor vehicles.  This bill is important to consider during this special        
session because, in addition to being good public policy, failure to pass      
the bill will result in a serious loss of federal funding.  The                
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities will lose $8,000,000        

1996-06-03                     House Journal                      Page 4661
HB 1007                                                                      
in federal highway money in fiscal year 1997 for failure to comply             
with the federal Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act.   Additionally,          
the Department of Public Safety will lose $200,000 in federal funding          
for commercial motor vehicle inspection, which represents half the             
budget for that program.                                                       
                                                                               
Under the changes made by the bill, the Department of Public Safety            
will be better able to the enforce safety requirements for commercial          
motor vehicles.  It will be able to revoke the registration of a               
commercial motor vehicle if the vehicle is put back on the road                
without making repairs ordered by the department or without being              
inspected as required.  Furthermore, commercial motor vehicles must            
meet the department's safety requirements even when driven on a                
highway that is not connected with other highways and on low traffic           
volume roads.                                                                  
                                                                               
In addition, other amendments made by the bill will save the                   
Department of Public Safety (department) and the public time and               
resources by streamlining many of the duties of the department.  Most          
Alaskans need a driver's license in order to carry on their daily lives -      
earning an income and taking care of their families.  Obtaining license        
renewals and conducting other business with the division of motor              
vehicles can be time consuming.  Most of us have stood in line waiting         
to take care of such business, wishing the line were shorter.  This bill       
will make it easier and less expensive for the department to serve the         
public.  For example, it 1) simplifies procedures for obtaining a              
driver's license; 2)allows for administrative hearings to be held by           
telephone to avoid costly travel; and 3) allows the department to keep         
its records electronically and provides that certified copies of               
electronically stored records are admissible in court and administrative       
hearings.                                                                      
                                                                               
I urge your prompt consideration and passage of this bill.                     
                                                                               
							Sincerely,                                                              
							/s/                                                                     
							Tony Knowles                                                            
							Governor