Legislature(2013 - 2014)BUTROVICH 205
03/12/2013 09:00 AM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB46 | |
| SB48 | |
| SB44 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 46 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 48 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 44 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 46-WAIVE CDL SKILL TEST FOR CERTAIN VETERANS
9:03:16 AM
CHAIR DYSON announced the consideration of HB 46.
REPRESENTATIVE DAN SADDLER, sponsor of HB 46, said the bill is
predicated on the assumption that veterans have honed their
driving skills while in the military and should not have to pass
the state Commercial Motor Vehicle Driving Skills Test (CDL).
The bill would help veterans get jobs and businesses hire
qualified drivers. Many Alaska industries require the (CDL) and
recent federal law allows this test to be bypassed.
He noted the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is
encouraging states to allow such waivers and as of January 9,
2013, 34 states allow the waiver. Ten states are working on
similar legislation, including Alaska, and seven states do not
currently allow the waiver. The bill directs the Department of
Administration to adopt regulations in accordance with federal
law to allow such waivers.
CHAIR DYSON asked about the process of applying for a CDL in
Alaska.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER explained that one has to be an Alaska
resident and domiciled here for 30 days, possess a regular
driver's license for a year, and pass knowledge and road tests.
9:06:37 AM
AMY ERICKSON, Director, Division of Motor Vehicles, Department
of Administration, introduced herself and offered to answer
questions related to HB 46.
CHAIR DYSON asked if the department favored the bill.
MS. ERICKSON said yes.
CHAIR DYSON asked how much time a veteran would save by not
having to take the CDL.
MS. ERICKSON replied that the pass/fail test takes about two
hours and scheduling it could take a few weeks. Once an
applicant passes the test, the division would issue the license
immediately.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked if the bill is necessary or if the
division could adopt regulations without the bill.
MS. ERICKSON said legislation is needed to waive the skills
test.
SENATOR STEDMAN clarified that the written test is still in
order; this legislation waives the driving test and vehicle
inspection portion of the test.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER said agreed.
SENATOR STEDMAN noted he has a CDL.
9:09:31 AM
MARC SAN SOUCI, Northwest Regional Liaison, U.S. Department of
Defense (DOD), testified in support of HB 46. He reported that
heavy and tractor trailer driving ranks in the top ten of all
occupational specialties in the military and is the second
highest occupation in the Army, with almost eight percent of
personnel skilled in it, and the second highest in the Marines
with over five percent skilled in it. The Department of Labor
forecasts that the truck driving field will have a faster-than-
average job growth projection between 2010 and 2020.
He emphasized that taxpayers have already paid for military
truck driver training through federal tax dollars to the DOD
budget.
CHAIR DYSON asked how a veteran verifies that he or she has the
military training and experience.
MR. SAN SOUCI explained that the military is working on
documentation to submit to the respective state agency upon
discharge.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER offered his understanding that a form is
under development for an officer to fill out to verify the
veteran's experience and training. The military member's service
record would include which schools he or she attended.
9:12:57 AM
SENATOR STEDMAN asked for the difference between military
training and a citizen's training. His impression is that the
military training is more stringent.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER said he couldn't give a detailed
differentiation. He deferred the answer to Mr. Thompson.
CHAIR DYSON mentioned double or "train" rigs and asked if there
is comparable military equipment.
MR. SAN SOUCI said he wasn't qualified to answer that question.
9:15:03 AM
AVES THOMPSON, Executive Director, Alaska Trucking Association
(ATA), testified in support of HB 46. He related that ATA is a
statewide organization representing over 200 businesses. He said
it is difficult to find qualified drivers of commercial
vehicles. The industry welcomes returning veterans and the
opportunity to help former military drivers find employment, as
they have good training and extensive experience.
SENATOR GIESSEL asked about comparability of civilian and
military licensing.
MR. THOMPSON said he wasn't altogether familiar with military
training, but did know that they operate large rigs on
substandard roads. In Alaska there are private driving schools
that provide 4-6 weeks of classroom and on-the-road training. He
opined that civilian training was not minimal and was basically
the same as military training.
CHAIR DYSON commented that military drivers do not have to deal
with scale houses and inspections.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER added that civilians do not have to deal
with improvised explosion devices.
CHAIR DYSON asked for the will of the committee.
9:18:09 AM
SENATOR GIESSEL moved to report HB 46, version 28-LS0263\A, from
committee with individual recommendations and attached zero
fiscal note.
CHAIR DYSON found no objection and announced that HB 46 moved
from the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.