Legislature(1997 - 1998)
04/07/1998 09:05 AM Senate FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE BILL NO. 404
"An Act relating to the regulation of commercial
vehicles; relating to the temporary registration of
out-of-state commercial vehicles; relating to
registration fees for commercial vehicles; and
providing for an effective date."
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 404(TRA)
"An Act relating to the regulation of commercial
vehicles; relating to the temporary registration of
out-of-state commercial vehicles; relating to
registration fees for commercial vehicles; and
providing for an effective date."
Co-chair Sharp reviewed the calendar for today. He first
called HB 404.
PETER ECKLND, staff to Representative Bill Williams was
invited to join the committee. He read the sponsor
statement into the record. He said the bill would promote
safer commercial vehicles.
Senator Donley asked the about the changes to the bill this
year as compared to last year. Mr. Eckland said he would
have to check with the sponsor. He will also ask if the
sponsor has any objection to adding to the bill the
requirement for truckers to know the insurance telephone
number. Mr. Eckland said there were representatives present
from the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities,
Division of Motor Vehicles and the industry present to
answer any specific questions.
In response to questions from Senator Adams, Mr. Eckland
said he did not think there would be any impact on the
fiscal note. The increase of permit fees for out-of-state
trucks would generate revenue for the State. However, he
said that the fees were still less than what Alaska trucks
were charged for out-of-state and the provinces.
Senator Parnell noted sections 18 and 19 and asked about
the changes to the annual registration fees. Mr. Eckland
explained these sections for the committee. He said the
increases as outlined were offset by a decrease in the one-
time registration of commercial trailers of $10.
FRANK DILLON, Executive Vice-President, Alaska Truckers
Association was invited to join the committee. He said the
Alaska Truckers Association supported HB 404 because it
would level the playing field amongst competitors. He has
worked extensively with Division of Motor Vehicles and the
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. In
response to an earlier question by Senator Donley he said
section 1 of the bill answered that. He agreed that all
commercial vehicles should be inspected twice yearly
according to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards,
insuring all mechanical operations be up to standard. The
Alaska State Troopers carry out random safety checks. The
bill would also raise fees for out-of-state trucks and the
$300 - $350 cost for a temporary permit did not seem out of
line. He noted that Alaska trucks were paying approximately
$1000/trip into the Yukon Territory. He referred to the new
money the State would collect and said it would be used to
keep the weigh station in Tok open twenty-four hours a day.
This will help to insure trucks have proper insurance,
qualified drivers and are safe. The bill also eliminates
the requirement for the annual registration of commercial
trailers with the Division of Motor Vehicles. The money
currently collected will be added to the registration costs
of commercial power units in the corresponding weight
classes. This would maintain a revenue neutrality as far as
the amount of money that was collected by the State. A
built-in $10 fee for a one-time tag would basically show a
permanent registration of that trailer in the State of
Alaska. Another important feature of this bill, as far as
the trucking industry and the economy of Alaska was that
there is a program adopted by about forty-five states and
soon to be adopted by all outside states, with the exception
of Hawaii, along with six Canadian provinces and territories
called the International Registration Plan. It would allow
for truck equipment to move between various jurisdictions
whether they be Canadian or other states, and only pay based
on the amount of mileage used in other states, your base
state. Presently it is not unusual for a tractor that
operated for instance from the Lynden fleet in the western
states to have more than one hundred different pieces of
paper they had to carry with them to be legal in the
jurisdictions it operated in. This was very inefficient and
costly. By eliminating the annual registration requirements
the State would become eligible to participate in this
International Registration Plan. This would allow for
"transparency of the trailing equipment" between
jurisdictions because all fees would be shifted to the power
units. He said the bill would do nothing to diminish the
number or types of inspections that are taking place. The
Association felt it was a good, comprehensive piece of
legislation. It has wide support and they urged passage of
the bill.
BARBARA HUFF-TUTNESS, Director of Governmental and
Legislative Affairs, Teamsters Local 959 and on behalf of
the Teamsters supported HB 404. They supported the adoption
of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Program, which from the
Teamsters' perspective is a very important issue. This
would be a great asset to the State of Alaska and for all
those who do drive or utilize the roads. The temporary
increase for registration would level the playing field.
They also supported keeping the weigh stations open extra
hours. This would insure trucks on the road are legal
weight and also insure public safety. They also agree with
the transfer of the registration of the trailers to the
power units.
PETER BLANAS, Teamster Local 959, testified via
teleconference from Anchorage. He said because weigh
stations were not open twenty-four hours and drivers did not
have to keep up their logbooks they were able to make many
multiple trips, and he felt this was the greatest
contributing factor to fatigue related accidents. Scale
operators also warn drivers of pending weather conditions,
but also can summons help in an emergency, or maintenance
crews. Monies collected from outside operators may also be
available for funding State Department of Transportation
inspection programs. He noted for the committee that as a
truck driver he had received on inspection in the last four
years and that was because he found the inspector and
requested it. He supported passage of HB 404.
Senator Adams said it was only necessary to call the
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to
testify regarding amendment #1.
Senator Torgerson MOVED amendment #1. Senator Adams
OBJECTED. Senator Torgerson said the intent of the
amendment was to clarify that a vehicle or motor home that
was not primarily used as a commercial entity would be
exempt. It would also include a pick-up that did not exceed
six thousand pounds. The definition section further
clarified "not to exceed six months".
JUANITA HENSLEY, Division of Motor Vehicles was invited to
join the committee. Senator Adams asked Ms. Hensley to
explain what effect this amendment would have on the agency.
Ms. Hensley said she read the amendment that a passenger
vehicle or motor home not primarily used for or maintained
for transportation along with a pick-up truck or van not
exceeding six thousand pounds would be exempt. She did not
have any numbers at this time as to how many individuals
would be affected. The division had this restriction in
statute several years ago however it was not enforceable.
She wanted to know how to enforce whether someone was using
the vehicle six months of the year or not and what portion
of the registration fees would they collect. She objected
to going back to the way it was when it was unenforceable.
Senator Donley asked what the difference in costs were
regarding a small van or pick-up. Ms. Hensley said
registration fees for a pick-up truck or van not exceeding
six thousand pounds was currently $78. Senator Donley asked
what the cost was if they were commercial. Ms. Hensley
indicated that for a vehicle more than five thousand pounds
but less than twelve thousand and one pound was $170.
Senator Donley said it seemed that if a commercial fee had
to be paid it would be deductible from the costs of running
the business. Ms. Hensley concurred.
Senator Torgerson asked if commercial vehicles were required
to stop at weigh scales. Ms. Hensley deferred to the
Department of Transportation.
AVES THOMPSON, Chief, Weights and Measures, Division of
Measurement Standards and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement,
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities was
invited to join the committee. He said commercial vehicles
required to stop at weigh scales were those of ten thousand
pounds or more unladen weight. A small trailer would not be
required to stop.
Senator Torgerson said the vehicles were not being
inspected, rather just monies being collected. He asked
what was the benefit of making these individuals come under
commercial regulations. Ms. Hensley said the intent was
because they use the roads. She said some of the vehicles
in combination with a boat may exceed the ten to twelve
thousand pounds weight limit. She further noted that any
vehicle being used in furtherance of business must be
registered.
Senator Parnell asked if there was more reasonable language
to satisfy all? Ms. Hensley responded "not so far".
Co-chair Sharp, with reference to the amendment, asked Ms.
Hensley if she could come up with an estimate on the loss of
revenue. Senator Torgerson said since it was not being paid
now there was no loss of revenue. Maybe it would be an
increase in revenue if they got all individuals to pay. Ms.
Hensley said she could come up with some figures based on
the four truck classes they had under categories 41 and 42.
Co-chair Sharp noted that amendment #1 was still pending and
there had been objection. By a roll call vote of 3 yeas
(Pearce, Torgerson, Parnell) and 3 nays (Sharp, Donley,
Adams) the amendment FAILED.
Senator Donley MOVED CSHB 404(TRA) and WITHOUT OBJECTION it
was REPORTED OUT with individual recommendations and
previous fiscal note from the Department of Transportation
and Public Facilities in the amount of $512.9 and an
indeterminate fiscal note from the Department of
Administration, Division of Motor Vehicles.
Co-chair Sharp noted SB 295 had been removed from the agenda
and called SB 345.
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