Legislature(2007 - 2008)BUTROVICH 205
03/27/2007 01:30 PM Senate TRANSPORTATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB130 | |
| SB68 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| * | SB 130 | ||
| = | SB 68 | ||
SB 130-RANCH, FARM, DAIRY VEHICLE REGISTRATION
CHAIR KOOKESH announced the consideration of SB 130.
DARWIN PETERSON, aide to Senate President Lyda Green, sponsor of
SB 130, explained that farm vehicles are getting heavier and
bigger and the current maximum weight regulations are out of
date; the bill will update the regulation from 16,000 to 20,000
lbs.
1:32:45 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked how many vehicles will be affected by
the bill.
MR. PETERSON replied that there are 466 farm vehicles currently
registered in Alaska with expiration dates of 2007, 2008, or
2009.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked for the rationale for the current
16,000 lbs restriction.
MR. PETERSON replied that true commercial vehicles shouldn't be
used for farm purposes, so a weight restriction applies to
smaller farm trucks.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked if there's any concern about weight
impact on the road system.
MR. PETERSON replied that there is a concern about road damage
regarding heavy trucks but the difference made by the bill will
be negligible.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked what size a 20,000 lb truck would be.
MR. PETERSON replied that it's larger than a Dodge Ram pick-up
truck, in the same category as a cargo van or a bus.
1:35:16 PM
CHAIR KOOKESH asked for an explanation of the farm vehicle
registration plate.
MR. PETERSON replied that the specialized farm plate is in the
same category as legislator plate or veteran plate.
1:36:08 PM
SENATOR OLSON asked if other states have similar farm vehicle
programs.
MR. PETERSON replied that almost every state does.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked if other states have similar weight
limits or just similar plates.
MR. PETERSON replied that he was referring to just the
specialized plate program, and that weight limits vary for each
state.
1:37:17 PM
SENATOR WILKEN asked if there's a committee substitute for the
bill regarding the plate.
MR. PETERSON replied that the bill doesn't change farm plate
legislation.
SENATOR WILKEN asked why a particular pamphlet was made
available to the committee.
MR. PETERSON replied that it was simply to show an example of
what the farm plate looks like.
1:39:04 PM
LARRY DEVILBISS, Director for the Division of Agriculture,
Department of Natural Resources (DNR), said that the farm plates
don't necessarily need to be changed by the bill, and the
department finds it appropriate to raise the limit to 20,000
lbs.
1:41:08 PM
STEVE VAN TROBA, representing himself, said that when he travels
to Alberta, Canada, to buy hay and he pays taxes that would be
avoided by having farm plates.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked if Mr. Van Troba opposes the bill.
MR. VAN TROBA replied that he supports the bill.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked if Mr. Van Troba will be required to
pay additional fees if the bill does not pass.
MR. VAN TROBA answered yes.
1:43:04 PM
DUANE BANNOCK, Director for the Division of Motor Vehicles,
Department of Administration (DOA), related the history of the
weight-limit law in Alaska and said the DMV supports the bill.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked for the punishment for driving over
the weight limit.
MR. BANNOCK said that being over-limit with the wrong plate
would result from one of three elements: a DMV error, improper
information provided by the driver, or fraudulent use of the
plate. The two latter scenarios would result in violation fines.
1:45:18 PM
SENATOR COWDERY asked if the Department of Transportation and
Public Facilities (DOTPF) controls over-weight vehicle permits.
MR. BANNOCK said that the DOTPF does control such permits.
BILL WARD, representing himself, said that it's appropriate to
raise the weight limit; licensed vehicle government is different
from commercial vehicle government, including hours of service
regulations, driver's license requirements, and inspections.
Operation within current statute is possible but truck
modifications and updates will be difficult without the new
requirements.
1:50:07 PM
ADAM GRISWOLD, representing himself, said that it's hard to buy
trucks that meet the current weight limit, and he is in favor of
the bill.
NATE GRISWOLD, representing himself, said that he does have a
need for new equipment but it's hard to find under current
regulation.
CHAIR KOOKESH asked for the will of the committee.
1:51:18 PM
SENATOR COWDERY motioned to report SB 130 from committee with
individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). There
being no objection, the motion carried.
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