Legislature(2005 - 2006)
04/19/2005 02:59 PM House TRA
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB268 | |
| HB259 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HB 259 - TRUCK LOAD REQUIREMENTS 3:03:41 PM CO-CHAIR GATTO announced that the final order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 259 "An Act relating to covered or enclosed loads." [Although no formal motion was made, the committee appeared to be referring to a proposed committee substitute (CS) for HB 259 (TRA), Version 24-LS0833\Y, which was included in members' packets.] CO-CHAIR GATTO, speaking as co-chair of the House Transportation Standing Committee, sponsor of HB 259, said much of the bill is housekeeping. He noted that there is intense building activity in Anchorage, and there are numerous uncovered gravel trucks. The loads cannot extend higher than six inches, he said, but it always does. At high speeds the gravel flies off the truck, and he said, "It is almost impossible to get through a year without a cracked windshield." Existing language requires loads to be contained or confined, but legally that may just mean confined but not covered. The bill changes the language from "contained or confined" to "covered or enclosed". He clarified that pickups that weigh 9200 pounds or less are exempted. There are exemptions for sanders, he noted, and asked if trucks filled with snow would also be exempted. 3:07:46 PM REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS suggested the committee clarify the bill by adding the words, "excluding snow". 3:08:04 PM CO-CHAIR GATTO suggested that such an amendment would add "excluding snow" after "rock," on page 1, line 5. 3:08:27 PM REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS made a motion to adopt the foregoing as Amendment 1. 3:08:50 PM NONA WILSON, Legislative Liaison, Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF), said DOT&PF's eight-yard dump trucks are convertible, able to haul gravel in the summer and snow in the winter. So there wouldn't be a reduction in the fiscal note by excluding snow. 3:11:37 PM CO-CHAIR GATTO asked whether there were objections to Amendment 1. There being none, Amendment 1 was adopted. REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS made a motion to adopt Amendment 2 as follows: Page 1, line 13, after "highway." Insert "The requirements of this section do not apply to communities which are not connected by continuous state or federal highways to Anchorage or communities of less than 5,000 population unless specifically adopted by local or state traffic control plans." 3:12:29 PM CO-CHAIR GATTO, characterizing Amendment 2 as perfectly drafted totally understandable, asked whether there were any objections to Amendment 2. There being no objection, Amendment 2 was adopted. 3:12:48 PM MS. WILSON said covered loads are usually only needed when a vehicle is overloaded. She noted that trash flies out of smaller vehicles. 3:14:44 PM MS. WILSON said the DOT&PF owns and operates 228 eight-yard dump trucks, and a fully automatic cover is $2,300. There would be an expenditure of $525,000 initially, she stated. REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS asked about the rural exclusion. MS. WILSON said those trucks will be subtracted. 3:15:31 PM REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS said truckers in smaller communities tend to clean the debris up. 3:15:47 PM REPRESENTATIVE SALMON asked if there have to be covers over dump trucks. CO-CHAIR GATTO said yes. REPRESENTATIVE SALMON asked if a dump truck would need a cover. CO-CHAIR GATTO described automatic covers. MS. WILSON said there are also manual tarps that cost $1,600. 3:17:06 PM REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS noted that there are local ordinances to cover litter in a truck. CO-CHAIR GATTO said dump fees are higher for uncovered trash. 3:18:28 PM REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS moved to report [the proposed CS for HB 259, Version 24-LS0833\Y, as amended,] out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHB 259(TRA) was reported from the House Transportation Standing Committee.
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