04/13/2023 01:30 PM Senate TRANSPORTATION

           SB 123-LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: COMM. DRIVERS                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
1:33:12 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR KAUFMAN announced the consideration  of SENATE BILL NO. 123                                                               
"An  Act relating  to commercial  motor vehicle  drivers' license                                                               
requirements; and providing for an effective date."                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
This is  the second hearing and  the intention is to  hear public                                                               
testimony and report the bill from committee.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
1:33:59 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR KAUFMAN opened public testimony on SB 123.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
1:34:19 PM                                                                                                                    
DON ETHERIDGE, Lobbyist, Alaska  American Federation of Labor and                                                               
Congress of  Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO),  Juneau, Alaska,                                                               
testified in support of SB 123.  He expressed his belief that the                                                               
proposed  legislation would  remove barriers  for those  in rural                                                               
Alaska seeking to  obtain CDLs and related  employment. He opined                                                               
that the training and testing  offer excellent commercial vehicle                                                               
driving preparation.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
1:35:43 PM                                                                                                                    
TETYANA  ROBBINS, CEO  and  Co-Founder,  Ukraine Relief  Program,                                                               
Anchorage, Alaska,  testified in  support of  SB 123.  She stated                                                               
that her  relief program  brought approximately  1,000 Ukrainians                                                               
to safety  here in Alaska.  A large number settled  in Anchorage,                                                               
others  in  Mat-Su,  Delta  Junction,  Fairbanks,  Dutch  Harbor,                                                               
Kodiak, Ketchikan, and Juneau. The  most important aspect of this                                                               
program  is   finding  employment.  She  opined,   from  personal                                                               
experience, that  the best  way to  be productive,  find friends,                                                               
and join  the community  is through a  job. Many  Ukrainians have                                                               
experience  with heavy  equipment and  driving trucks  and buses.                                                               
She  learned  that  Alaska is  not  well-coordinated  with  other                                                               
states.  She noted  that a  driver can  obtain a  CDL quickly  in                                                               
other  states.  She  hoped  that   Alaska  does  not  lose  good,                                                               
professional drivers to other states.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
1:39:28 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR KAUFMAN closed public testimony on SB 123.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
1:39:40 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR MYERS  commented that SB  123 pertains to  his profession                                                               
outside of the  legislature. Initially, he wondered  if this bill                                                               
would  help  CDL  drivers. He  expressed  satisfaction  that  the                                                               
proposed legislation  will help. There  is an increased  need for                                                               
drivers in  construction and mining.  He opined that SB  123 will                                                               
remove a significant barrier and help people get to work.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
1:41:06 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR WILSON agreed with the previous  speaker that SB 123 is a                                                               
helpful bill.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
1:41:25 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR KAUFMAN solicited the will of the committee.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
1:41:32 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR MYERS  moved to  report SB  123, work  order 33-LS0721\A,                                                               
from  committee  with  individual  recommendations  and  attached                                                               
fiscal note(s).                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
1:41:47 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR KAUFMAN  found no  objection and SB  123 was  reported from                                                               
the Senate Transportation Standing Committee.