Legislature(2011 - 2012)BUTROVICH 205
03/22/2012 09:00 AM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB132 | |
| HJR34 | |
| HB129 | |
| HB180 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 132 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HJR 34 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 129 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 180 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SB 132-PROVISIONAL DRIVER'S LICENSE STICKER
9:02:32 AM
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI announced that the first bill before the
committee would be SB 132, which would direct the Department of
Motor Vehicles to produce a "provisional driver's sticker" for
drivers between the ages of 16 and 18.
SENATOR KEVIN MEYER, sponsor of SB 132, introduced the bill. He
related that the bill came to his attention from Jessica Luiken,
a student in Anchorage, who researched a high school project on
a provisional driver's sticker. He shared his experience taking
a driver's education course when he was in high school. Since
those classes no longer exist, he thought the idea of a
provisional sticker had a lot of merit.
9:04:53 AM
BOB PAWLOWSKI, staff, Senator Kevin Meyer, explained SB 132 on
behalf of the sponsor. He read from the following sponsor
statement:
SB 132 provides for a 'provisional driver's license
sticker' for drivers between 16 and 18 years of age
who are driving under the Alaska Graduated License
Program. The Alaska Graduated License Program requires
one to have an 'instruction permit' at least 6 months
prior to testing for a driver's license. Upon receipt
of the license and between the ages of 16 and 18 years
old, the driver is driving under a 'provisional
driver's license'. This provisional license is in
effect for 6 months or longer, based on any motor
vehicle violations during the provisional period. The
Alaska Graduated License Program remains in effect
until one's 18th birthday. Upon obtaining a
provisional license, under SB 132, the driver would
obtain a sticker that shows that the vehicle is being
driven by a driver with a 'provisional' license.
If enacted, SB 132 would add a new subsection to AS
28.15.055 (Alaska's Provisional License Law)
establishing a provisional license sticker and the
responsibility of the driver to display it in the car
they are operating. SB 132 would continue the
responsibilities of the driver and the other
responsible parties established in the 2005
Provisional Driver's License Law.
We all know the challenges of Alaska driving
conditions. Winter cold weather, darkness, snow berms,
frosted windows, and low sun level and glare all add
to challenges we are all experienced with. Similarly,
our extended summer light and activities bring their
own risks with tiredness, crowded roads, and
distractions. SB 132 simply helps experienced drivers
recognize the inexperienced driver by providing for a
permit for drivers 'provisionally licensed'.
Recognizing inexperienced driving as a step to
improving driving safety was a reason behind the
Alaska Graduated License Program. By adding a
"provisional sticker" to the car, other drivers can
respect the inexperience the new driver has and drive
appropriately.
Finally, the bill provides guidance to the Department
of Motor Vehicles and Department of Public Safety on
issuing and enforcing the 'provisional driver's
sticker'.
This bill was researched and proposed by Jessica
Luiken, a senior in Alaska's Home School Program.
Jessica is here to share her research and reasons for
proposing to our office, SB 132.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked for a solution if a young driver's
family has multiple cars.
MR. PAWLOWSKI said that DMV is researching how best to handle
that issue.
WHITNEY BREWSTER, Director, Division of Motor Vehicles,
Department of Administration, provided information related to SB
132. She addressed Chair Wielechowski's question. She explained
that DMV has researched the use of the provisional sticker and
she suggested various methods of displaying them on multiple
vehicles. She noted there are 6,300 provisional licenses and it
would be inexpensive to implement the program at 20 cents per
sticker. She said the bill allows DMV the flexibility in
offering more than one sticker.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked how much it would cost the teens.
MS. BREWSTER related that the sticker costs 20 cents and it
would be less than $1,000 for DMV to administer the program.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked if there would be a charge.
MS. BREWSTER replied that DMV has the option to charge a fee,
but does not intend to charge it.
9:11:35 AM
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked if other states have this type of
sticker.
MS. BREWSTER said she was aware that other states do have them.
She suggested Ms. Luiken could answer that question.
SENATOR KOOKESH asked how big the sticker would be.
MS. BREWSTER suggested it would be small, possibly 3" by 10",
and easily seen in the back window by law enforcement. She noted
she would work with law enforcement to determine the size.
SENATOR KOOKESH thought the sticker would be hard to see. He
said he didn't understand how the sticker would make roads
safer.
9:13:15 AM
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked Ms. Brewster if she thought the fine of
$300 was appropriate.
MS. BREWSTER replied that the fine for failure to follow the
restrictions of a provisional license is $200 and a 2-point
ticket. She opined the $300 fine was "in the same ballpark." She
suggested the legislature could change that amount.
SENATOR KOOKESH thought a $300 fine was excessive. He did not
like the idea of taking points off for not displaying a sticker.
MS. BREWSTER said she envisioned the provisional sticker being
distributed by DMV when the provisional license was issued. She
said fines and point restrictions were outside DMV's scope. She
suggested contacting law enforcement regarding that.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked if loss of points was part of the
penalty for not having the sticker displayed.
MS. BREWSTER did not believe so. She thought point penalties
were reserved for moving violations.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked if the administration supports bill.
MS. BREWSTER reported that the department is neutral.
9:16:14 AM
JESSICA LUIKEN, student, testified in favor of SB 132, which she
authored. She began by thanking the committee for allowing her
to testify on SB 132. She thanked Senator Meyer and his staff,
and Representative Millett and her staff for making her project
possible. She gave a brief history of the bill, which began as a
Juneau Close Up project.
MS. LUIKEN presented a slide show about student drivers and
their habits. She discussed the causes of death among teenagers
between 1999 and 2006. Out of 48 percent of unintentional
injuries, 73 percent were from motor vehicle traffic accidents.
She shared statistics about the high numbers of fatal crashes in
Alaska for drivers 14-16, from 2004 to 2008. She reported on the
ages and percentage of drivers involved in crashes between 2002
and 2011.
She noted the traits of provisional license drivers that have an
effect on their poor driving records. She said novice drivers
are more likely to be nervous, due to the fact that they are
driving by themselves for the first time, they lack experience,
and many lack sound judgment. Frequent adverse weather
conditions such as rain, snow, and ice are but a few examples of
Alaska's diverse weather conditions, which also have an impact
on youthful drivers. Alaska also has dangerous roads and
wildlife to look out for.
MS. LUIKEN proposed a solution of having provisional drivers
display stickers in the rear window of their cars to show that a
provisional driver is operating the vehicle. British Columbia,
Newfoundland, Yukon, Australia, and England, as well as New
Jersey, have laws that require provisional stickers.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked if the red sticker in the picture
indicates the provisional sticker.
MS. LUIKEN said yes. Teen drivers in New Jersey are required to
display a red decal on the back of their license plates.
She showed pictures of various methods of displaying stickers.
9:20:18 AM
MS. LUIKEN defended the provisional sticker solution for the
following reasons: it will impress upon other drivers to be more
cautious driving near a novice driver; it will assist law
enforcement officers in implementing the law as it relates to
provisional drivers.
She suggested as a possible enforcement regulation, a fine of
not more than $300. She gave an example of the steps to be taken
after the bill is passed: the state will supply DMV with
stickers to distribute to those persons who acquire a
provisional license; those applying for a provisional license
will pay for the sticker and place it on the rear window of the
operating vehicle.
She concluded that teen drivers with provisional licenses are
statistically more hazardous to themselves and others and should
be required to identify their status in order to reduce the
number of accidents and infractions and help save lives.
9:22:07 AM
SENATOR KOOKESH asked why this bill would reduce accidents and
infractions in Alaska.
MS. LUIKEN said the idea was to notify experienced drivers that
an inexperienced driver was near. She shared her own experience
as a novice driver. The sticker would also allow law enforcement
officers to identify provisional licensed drivers.
SENATOR KOOKESH asked if Ms. Luiken had researched accidents by
provisional drivers.
MS. LUIKEN said no.
SENATOR KOOKESH assumed there was no evidence whether other
drivers or provisional drivers caused an accident.
MS. LUIKEN explained that she is not suggesting that provisional
drivers caused accidents, but that they should be identified as
provisional drivers in order to reduce accidents.
SENATOR KOOKESH did not see the point. He requested more
evidence.
MS. LUIKEN reiterated that the goal of the bill is to ensure
that accidents won't happen and that restrictions required of
provisional drivers will be enforced. She said she has found
little evidence to show the causes of accidents by provisional
drivers.
9:24:44 AM
SENATOR MEYER thought the bill would be very helpful in urban
areas, and if other drivers know a young driver is near, they
may cut them some slack. He pointed out that kids no longer
receive driver's training. He related that insurance companies
advocated very strongly for provisional licenses and would be
supportive of SB 132.
He suggested the idea must work because other states use it. He
asked if there were statistics to justify its use in other
states. He suggested using an 'N' for new drivers on the
sticker.
MS. LUIKEN spoke of New Jersey's policy which was implemented in
2010.
SENATOR GIESSEL said one of the strong points of the argument is
that driver education cars say "student driver" because it is
important to identify beginning drivers. She noted the presence
of "crazy drivers" in Anchorage.
SENATOR KOOKESH maintained that the provisional license in
Angoon, Alaska, is not necessary. He pointed out that rural
Alaska is different and people cannot afford a $300 fine. He
gave another example of Beaver, Alaska.
9:29:05 AM
MS. LUIKEN clarified that the fine is only assessed if the
driver does not have a sticker. DMV would provide the sticker
when the driver receives the provisional license.
SENATOR KOOKESH maintained his arguments.
SENATOR MEYER suggested that the amount of the fine could be
amended, but the bill deals with a public safety issue and he
opined that the subject is important and warrants the
committee's time.
SENATOR KOOKESH thought the discussion was part of the committee
process. He said he was opposed to unnecessary regulations.
9:32:06 AM
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked if there are any statistics to show
that the sticker reduces accidents.
MS. LUIKEN explained that she was unable to get statistics
because the sticker has not been implemented in the United
States, except for recently in New Jersey.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked if there was any data from other
countries. He asked what percentage of provisional drivers are
involved in accidents.
MS. LUIKEN replied that she does not have that information.
9:33:53 AM
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked whether the problem is young drivers or
new drivers, no matter the age.
MS. LUIKEN thought the situation was different for drivers over
21 because they can drink. She thought the accident rate for
older new drivers would be higher than for young drivers who are
required to be accompanied by an adult.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked if the driving age is appropriate or if
it should be raised.
MS. LUIKEN thought it was appropriate.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked if the $300 fine is excessive.
MS. LUIKEN replied that bill says the fine is not to exceed
$300, and the House State Affairs Committee amended the bill to
say a "secondary stop" with a $200 fine and a 2-point reduction.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked if the sticker would be required for
motorcycles, snow machines, and other vehicles.
MS. LUIKEN said just cars and trucks.
9:36:06 AM
SENATOR GIESSEL referred to page 3 of the slide presentation
with statistics of accidents by drivers who hold learners
permits, ages 14 - 16. She thought that was good information.
She said it is hard to demonstrate the effects of prevention.
She asked Ms. Luiken if she has talked with her peers about the
provisional sticker.
MS. LUIKEN replied that she had not, but thought that they might
not like it. She also said the original idea was geared toward
drivers with a learners permit, but it seemed more beneficial
for provisional drivers who are driving without an adult
present.
SENATOR GIESSEL asked if driver's education companies are in
favor of the sticker.
MS. LUIKEN offered to provide that information.
SENATOR KOOKESH referred to the last sentence of paragraph (b),
"a person violating this section may not be convicted . . ." and
asked if Ms. Luiken envisioned the involvement of a court.
MS. LUIKEN believed a court would be involved if the person was
pulled over and was required to provide proof of having the
sticker.
SENATOR KOOKESH pointed out the cost of court expenses.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI noted there was one "free pass"; however, on
the second violation a court could be involved.
MS. LUIKEN agreed.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI read, "However, a person charged with
violating this section may not be convicted if the person has
not previously been arrested, charged, or cited for a violation
of this section."
9:39:54 AM
LIEUTENANT RODNEY DIAL, Deputy Commissioner, Division of Alaska
State Troopers, Department of Public Safety, provided
information related to SB 132. He said that the department was
neutral on the bill. He explained that the fine is set by the
Supreme Court and $300 is the maximum fine. The first offense
would be a correctable citation if the individual was complying
with the requirements of the bill. There is not a mandatory
court appearance, but a person could contest the citation and go
to court. He said the potential benefits from the bill would be
to help identify vehicles operated in violation of provisional
restrictions. For example, if a provisional driver was driving
between the hours of 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m., they would be
stopped. If the bill is kept at a secondary violation, there
would have to be another reason for a traffic stop, not just to
check for a sticker.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked Lt. Dial if he believed the bill would
make Alaska's roads safer.
LT. DIAL said the department had no opinion.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI closed public testimony.
9:43:26 AM
MS. LUIKEN said she believed that the cost of not passing the
bill would be someone's life and the benefit of passing the bill
would be saving that life. She urged passage of SB 132.
[SB 132 was held in committee.]
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 132 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SSTA 3/22/2012 9:00:00 AM SSTA 3/27/2012 9:00:00 AM |
SB 132 |
| SB0132A.pdf |
SSTA 3/22/2012 9:00:00 AM SSTA 3/27/2012 9:00:00 AM |
SB 132 |
| SB132-DOA-DMV-3-16-12.pdf |
SSTA 3/22/2012 9:00:00 AM SSTA 3/27/2012 9:00:00 AM |
SB 132 |
| SB 132 Student Driving Presentation.ppt |
SSTA 3/22/2012 9:00:00 AM SSTA 3/27/2012 9:00:00 AM |
SB 132 |
| 1-HJR034A- Bill.pdf |
HMLV 2/16/2012 1:00:00 PM SSTA 3/22/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HJR 34 |
| CSHJR 34 (STA) am.PDF |
SSTA 3/22/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HJR 34 |
| 2- HJR 34 - USCG Icebreakers Arctic Base - Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HMLV 2/16/2012 1:00:00 PM SSTA 3/22/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HJR 34 |
| 3- HJR 34 - 12 01 11-LG Treadwell on Icebreakers.pdf |
HMLV 2/16/2012 1:00:00 PM SSTA 3/22/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HJR 34 |
| 4- HJR 34 - 2010 USCG Auth Act - AMSA Section.pdf |
HMLV 2/16/2012 1:00:00 PM SSTA 3/22/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HJR 34 |
| 5- HJR 34 - ANWTF Recs PP 14-21.pdf |
HMLV 2/16/2012 1:00:00 PM SSTA 3/22/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HJR 34 |
| 6- HJR 34 - Foreign Minister Amendment.pdf |
HMLV 2/16/2012 1:00:00 PM SSTA 3/22/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HJR 34 |
| 7- HJR 34 - Ltr from Lawson Brigham.pdf |
HMLV 2/16/2012 1:00:00 PM SSTA 3/22/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HJR 34 |
| 8- HJR 34 Leg Coun-Fiscal Note.pdf |
HMLV 2/16/2012 1:00:00 PM SSTA 3/22/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HJR 34 |
| HJR 34 - US Arctic Policy - NSPD-66.pdf |
SSTA 3/22/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HJR 34 |
| 01 HB 129 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HMLV 2/22/2011 1:00:00 PM SSTA 3/22/2012 9:00:00 AM SSTA 3/27/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HB 129 |
| HB129-DHSS-BVS-2-21-11.pdf |
HMLV 2/22/2011 1:00:00 PM SSTA 3/22/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HB 129 |
| HB 129 - Explanation of Changes.pdf |
HMLV 2/22/2011 1:00:00 PM SSTA 3/22/2012 9:00:00 AM SSTA 3/27/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HB 129 |
| HB 129 - Death Certificate Example.pdf |
HMLV 2/22/2011 1:00:00 PM SSTA 3/22/2012 9:00:00 AM SSTA 3/27/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HB 129 |
| HJR 34 - USCG Arctic Strategic Approach.pdf |
SSTA 3/22/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HJR 34 |
| HJR034-1-2-021712-LEG-N.PDF |
SSTA 3/22/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HJR 34 |
| CS HJR 34 (STA) am Explanation of Changes.pdf |
SSTA 3/22/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HJR 34 |
| HJR 34 - Sponsor Statement (STA).pdf |
SSTA 3/22/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HJR 34 |
| CSHB 129(FIN) - Version I.pdf |
SSTA 3/22/2012 9:00:00 AM SSTA 3/27/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HB 129 |
| HB129CS(FIN)-DHSS-BVS-12-15-11.pdf |
SSTA 3/22/2012 9:00:00 AM SSTA 3/27/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HB 129 |
| CSHB180 (FIN).PDF |
SSTA 3/22/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HB 180 |
| Sponsor Statement CSHB 180 (FIN).pdf |
SSTA 3/22/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HB 180 |
| HB 180 Military Discount List.pdf |
HFIN 2/6/2012 1:30:00 PM SSTA 3/22/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HB 180 |
| HB 180 Support Resolution AK Vet. Advisory Council.pdf |
SSTA 3/22/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HB 180 |
| HB180CS(FIN)-DOA-DMV-2-8-2012.pdf |
SSTA 3/22/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HB 180 |
| HB180CS(FIN)-DOA-DMV-1-17-2012.pdf |
SSTA 3/22/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HB 180 |
| Explanation of Changes in CSHB 180(FIN).pdf |
SSTA 3/22/2012 9:00:00 AM |
HB 180 |