04/05/1993 08:35 AM House FIN

  SENATE BILL NO. 47                                                           
                                                                               
       "An Act relating  to equipment for and  registration of                 
       custom  collector   vehicles;  and  providing   for  an                 
       effective date."                                                        
                                                                               
  MAX GIFFORD,  STAFF, SENATOR  KELLY explained  that SSSB  47                 
  provides that pre  1949 vehicles can  be driven if they  met                 
  safety  and  regulatory  requirements.   Cars  must  also be                 
  registered as a "custom classic vehicle" with the Department                 
  of Public Safety.   There is a $50 dollar  registration fee.                 
  Approximately 200 vehicles would be  eligible.  Cars without                 
  bumpers, fenders  and hoods are  not allowed  on the  street                 
  under current law.    Sponsor Substitute for Senate  Bill 47                 
  would  allow  exceptions   for  registered  custom   classic                 
  vehicle.                                                                     
                                                                               
  Representative Navarre  noted that  some older vehicles  are                 
  considered classics.   Mr. Gifford  obsevered that 1948  was                 
  the last year  that side boards were  built.  Representative                 
  Navarre suggested the date be changed  to 1959.  Mr. Gifford                 
  stressed that the legislation is based on programs developed                 
  in other states.   He  added that the  Department of  Public                 
  Safety supports the 1948 cut off date.                                       
                                                                               
  Representative  Navarre emphasized that  the lack  of safety                 
  elements; such as  bumpers and hoods would  place additional                 
  safety hazardous on roads.                                                   
                                                                               
  Mr. Gifford noted  that classic  cars are  insured for  less                 
  than  regular  vehicles   due  to  their  low   incident  of                 
  accidents.                                                                   
                                                                               
  Representative  Navarre  asked  if  the  sponsor  considered                 
  basing eligibility on the age of the vehicle.  For instance,                 
  cars  over 35 years  of age would be  included.  Mr. Gifford                 
  stated that  the sponsor  did consider  this  approach.   He                 
  concluded that the  statutes could be amended  in the future                 
  to allow an age approach.                                                    
                                                                               
  JUANITA  HENSLEY,  CHIEF,  DRIVER'S  SAFETY,  DEPARTMENT  OF                 
  PUBLIC  SAFETY  stated  that  the  Department's  position is                 
  neutral in  regards to  SSSB 47.   She noted  that only  200                 
  vehicles would be  affected by SSSB  47.  She observed  that                 
  the average  of age  of classic  car drivers  is in the  mid                 
  forties.  She stressed  that the average worth of  a classic                 
  vehicle is $15,000 thousand dollars.                                         
                                                                               
  Representative  Grussendorf  noted  that  he  had   received                 
  correspondence questioning  SSSB 47.   Ms.  Hensley observed                 
                                                                               
                                                                               
  that an Anchorage police officer has expressed his concerns.                 
                                                                               
                                                                               
  Ms. Hensley pointed out that the Department would reconsider                 
  its position on SSSB  47 if the eligibility date  is changed                 
  to 1959.  She stressed  that older vehicles containing hoods                 
  and  bumpers  could  be  modified  under  if  the  dated  is                 
  extended.                                                                    
                                                                               
  Representative  Foster  MOVED  to  report  SSSB  47  out  of                 
  Committee  with  individual  recommendations  and  with  the                 
  accompanying fiscal note.   Representative Navarre OBJECTED.                 
                                                                               
                                                                               
  Representative Navarre MOVED  to Amend  SSSB 47 by  deleting                 
  "1949"  and   inserting  "1959".     Representative   Hanley                 
  OBJECTED.  A roll call vote was taken on the motion.                         
                                                                               
  IN FAVOR: Navarre, Hoffman                                                   
  OPPOSED:  Grussendorf,  Foster,  Hanley,   Martin,  Parnell,                 
                 Therriault, Larson                                            
                                                                               
  Co-Chair  MacLean and Representative  Brown were absent from                 
  the vote.                                                                    
                                                                               
  The MOTION FAILED (2-7).                                                     
                                                                               
  Representative  Foster  MOVED  to  report  SSSB  47  out  of                 
  Committee  with  individual  recommendations  and  with  the                 
  accompanying fiscal note.  There being NO  OBJECTION, it was                 
  so ordered.                                                                  
                                                                               
  SSSB   47   was   reported  out   of   Committee   with  "no                 
  recommendation"  and  with  a  fiscal  impact  note  by  the                 
  Department of Public Safety, dated 1/27/93.