04/11/1994 09:12 AM Senate STA

 CHAIRMAN LEMAN brings up HB 299 (DRIVER'S LIC REVOCATION; ALCOHOL             
 / DRUGS) as the next order of business before the Senate State                
 Affairs Committee.  The chairman calls the prime sponsor to                   
 testify.                                                                      
                                                                               
 Number 127                                                                    
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE CYNTHIA TOOHEY, prime sponsor of HB 299, thanks the            
 committee for the opportunity to testify and reads the sponsor                
 statement on HB 299.  Representative Toohey introduces Ms. Knuth              
 and Mr. Ford.                                                                 
                                                                               
 CHAIRMAN LEMAN asks if there are any questions of Representative              
 Toohey.                                                                       
                                                                               
 Number 174                                                                    
                                                                               
 SENATOR TAYLOR asks if the revocation or suspension of driving                
 priveleges would require that person to provide an SR22 to the                
 Division of Motor Vehicles before their privileges are reinstated.            
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE TOOHEY states they would not have to do so.                    
                                                                               
 SENATOR TAYLOR asks why we would want to allow young people who               
 have been caught drinking, to drive without proof of motor vehicle            
 insurance.                                                                    
                                                                               
 Number 190                                                                    
                                                                               
 MARGOT KNUTH, Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division,                  
 Department of Law believes that the Department of Public safety was           
 concerned that since this is revoking the privilege to drive, and             
 not necessarily revoking a drivers' license- she doesn't recall               
 whether- Ms. Hensley is out of town today.                                    
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE TOOHEY adds this question was asked and satisfied.             
                                                                               
 Number 201                                                                    
                                                                               
 REPRSENATIVE VEZEY also adds that this is not a DWI or drunk                  
 driving bill, this is a penalty for minor consuming, and does not             
 necessarily have anything to do with a person driving while                   
 intoxicated.                                                                  
                                                                               
 SENATOR TAYLOR responds he understands that aspect of HB 299.  If             
 a person is a dangerous driver, even if drinking did not contribute           
 to their dangerous driving, they can get their license suspended.             
                                                                               
 Number 228                                                                    
                                                                               
 MS. KNUTH states it has been brought to her attention that under              
 AS 22.15.185, under court revocation of a minor's license to drive,           
 the department may not require proof of financial responsibility              
 before restoring or issuing the person's drivers' license.  It                
 would cause a problem if Alaska Statute were to specify that SR22's           
 are not required for court revocation of a minor's driving                    
 privileges, but SR22's are required for administrative revocation             
 of a minor's driving privileges.                                              
                                                                               
 SENATOR TAYLOR asks if all other administrative revocations require           
 an SR22                                                                       
 MS. KNUTH replies she does not believe that is the case.                      
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE TOOHEY adds that if the administrative revocation              
 occured because the person was driving while intoxicated, then that           
 person would have to submit an SR22 before having their license               
 reinstated.                                                                   
                                                                               
 MS. KNUTH states the distinction between revoking the license of              
 someone who was driving while intoxicated, someone who was driving            
 recklessly, and someone who was drinking underage, is that the                
 person who losses their driving privileges for a non-driving                  
 offense cannot be required to file an SR22.                                   
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE VEZEY comments it is his understanding that DMV will           
 not reissue a revoked license without proof of insurance.  SR22's             
 are but one form of a proof of insurance.  SR22 is the form that is           
 issued when a person is not eligible for motor vehicle insurance              
 other than from a high-risk pool.                                             
                                                                               
 CHAIRMAN LEMAN asks if anyone else wishes to testify on HB 299.               
 The chairman states it is his intent to move the bill today.                  
                                                                               
 Number 297                                                                    
                                                                               
 SENATOR MILLER makes a motion to discharge HB 299 from the Senate             
 State Affairs Committee with individual recommendations.                      
                                                                               
 CHAIRMAN LEMAN, hearing no objection, orders HB 299 released from             
 committee with individual recommendations.