Legislature(2023 - 2024)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/21/2023 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB89 | |
| SB123 | |
| SB73 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 89 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 123 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 73 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 123-LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: COMM. DRIVERS
2:05:58 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 123 "An Act relating to
commercial motor vehicle drivers' license requirements; and
providing for an effective date."
2:06:47 PM
SENATOR JAMES KAUFMAN, District F, Alaska State Legislature,
Juneau, Alaska, sponsor of SB 123, introduced the legislation
paraphrased the following sponsor statement:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Senate Bill 123 repeals the requirement in AS
28.33.100(a)(2) that requires applicants for a
Commercial Driver's License (CDL) to hold a regular
Alaska driver's license for at least one year before
they can begin the process of obtaining a CDL.
This requirement was enacted in 1985 before state and
federal regulators modernized the training and
licensing standards for CDLs. Today, an individual
seeking a CDL has an extensive training and testing
process to go through to ensure they are ready to
safely drive commercial vehicles.
On the state level, a prospective commercial driver
must pass a written test at the DMV to obtain a CDL
Learners Permit and then a driving test to obtain
their full license. Beginning in February 2022,
federally mandated Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT)
requirements must also be met during the CDL Learner's
Permit stage. ELDT requires comprehensive theory
testing and a driving evaluation process to ensure
that CDL applicants possess the necessary skills and
knowledge to operate commercial vehicles safely and
efficiently. With these new safety and training
standards, the one-year regular driver's license
requirement now only serves as a barrier to workforce
development.
The Alaska Trucking Association estimates that Alaska
is about 500 truck drivers short, presenting a risk
both to food security and major new development
projects in industries like construction, mining, oil
and gas, etc. For young people in urban areas, getting
a driver's license at 16 is common. However, for
people coming from rural communities, a growing number
of urban youth waiting to get their license, and
newcomers to the county, the year-long wait to start
the licensing process often prevents the trucking
industry from being a viable career option.
Repealing the one-year regular driver's license
requirement aligns Alaska's CDL requirements with
modern federal standards and removes a barrier to a
workforce that, although relatively small, is ready
and willing. With the passage of SB 123, Alaska will
better be able to meet our commercial vehicle driver
needs and empower Alaskans to pursue meaningful
employment critical to our state.
2:09:33 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR asked if there was invited testimony.
CHAIR BJORKMAN answered yes.
2:09:51 PM
EMMA TORKELSON, Staff, Senator James Kaufman, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented the following sectional
analysis for SB 123:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Sectional Analysis for SB 123, Version A
"An Act relating to commercial motor vehicle drivers'
license requirements; and providing for an effective
date"
Sec 1. Amends AS 28.33.100(a) to remove subsection
(2) which requires an applicant for a Commercial
Driver's License to have held a regular driver's
license for at least one year before beginning the CDL
certification process.
Sec 2. Sets January 20, 2024, effective date.
2:11:36 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR asked why the effective date wasn't sooner than
January 20, 2024.
2:12:18 PM
MS. TORKELSON replied that this language was modeled on the
companion bill in the House. She agreed that the date should be
sooner and noted that the committee could make that change.
2:13:22 PM
JOE MICHEL, Executive Director, Alaska Trucking Association,
Anchorage, Alaska, gave invited testimony in support of SB 123.
He said that the Alaska Trucking Association fully supports this
bill. It will eliminate one of the many barriers to embarking on
a career in the trucking and transportation industry. In
February 2022, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
implemented an entry-level driver training program and
established the minimum training requirements for entry-level
motor vehicle operators. This program came after years of
engagement with safety organizations, industry leaders, and
stakeholders. There is a checklist of well over a hundred
different skills, inspection, and knowledge requirements that
applicants must prove themselves proficient in before they are
allowed to test for a CDL. The association found the one-year
requirement redundant. Insurance companies are one of the
biggest regulators of trucking and safety scores, and records
dictate whether one can operate on the roads or not.
2:15:53 PM
JOEY CRUM, Chief Executive Officer, Northern Industrial Training
(NIT), Palmer, Alaska, gave invited testimony in support of SB
123. He stated that Northern Industrial Training trains drivers
statewide. This bill removes barriers to entry, especially those
in rural Alaska allowing more workers to choose this career
path. Since the new regulations passed a year ago, the current
statute has been rendered moot. The process to obtain a CDL now
requires a person to pass a Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
written exam and a Department of Transportation and Public
Facilities (DOTPF) physical to be issued a commercial learner's
permit. After the permit is issued, they must practice written
exams proctored by a federally registered training provider, and
pass practical exams and a performance test approved by the DMV
or an approved third party. He said it is important to note that
vehicles such as 16-passenger vans or pick-ups hauling highly
hazardous materials require CDLs. He said the bill needs to pass
to remove unnecessary barriers to gainful employment.
2:19:33 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN opened public testimony on SB 123.
2:20:14 PM
At ease.
2:20:46 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN reconvened the meeting. He stated there were
technical issues with the phone lines. He invited the public to
email written testimony to slac@akleg.gov.
2:21:37 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN closed public testimony and held SB 123 in
committee.