Legislature(2021 - 2022)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/15/2022 01:30 PM Senate TRANSPORTATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB166 | |
| SB150 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 150 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 166 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SB 150-TRUCK DRIVER APPRECIATION DAY
1:51:03 PM
CHAIR MYERS announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 150
"An Act establishing the second Monday of September of each year
as Truck Driver Appreciation Day."
1:51:23 PM
At ease
1:52:56 PM
CHAIR MYERS reconvened the meeting.
1:53:01 PM
DAWSON MANN, Staff, Senator Robert Myers, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, paraphrased the sponsor statement
on behalf of the sponsor for SB 150.
[Original punctuation provided.]
1:53:28 PM
The continued effects of the Covid-19 pandemic have
illustrated a number of breakdowns in our global
economy and distribution systems. The recent struggles
with the global and state supply chain have led to
growing attention for the unsung backbone of our
modern economy: truck drivers. Almost every industry
in the world requires trucking to keep running. Most
notably, nearly every industry that sells physical
goods needs truck drivers to transport those goods.
Unfortunately, despite their critical role in our
economy, truck drivers have been in short supply with
their ranks ravaged by retirements and resignations as
individuals move to less stressful occupations. Truck
drivers often face various occupational challenges
such as irregular hours, long stints away from home,
and in Alaska hazardous road conditions. Even as the
pandemic slowed many industries and occupations truck
drivers remained hard at work. That is why it is an
important time for Alaska to pay respect and thank the
hundreds of professional truck drivers in our state
for their hard work and commitment in undertaking one
of our economy's most demanding and important jobs.
1:54:47 PM
SB 150 establishes the second Monday of September of
each year as Truck Driver Appreciation Day in
alignment with the National Truck Driver Appreciation
week. The goal of this bill is to codify Alaska's
unique respect for the truck driving industry and
provided appreciation for those who work vigilantly to
keep our shelves stocked.
1:55:11 PM
MR. MANN stated that late last year, Alaskans provided feedback
on the supply chain breakdowns, including sending photos of
empty store shelves in Interior and Southcentral Alaska.
1:56:19 PM
CHAIR MYERS opened public testimony on SB 150.
1:56:45 PM
PHILIP WHITLATCH, Line Driver Supervisor, Crowley Fuel;
Board Member, Alaska Trucking Association, Palmer, Alaska,
spoke in support of SB 150. He stated it is a commonly held
American value to honor those who work for Alaskan/s
benefit and wellbeing. The truck drivers in the state work
to benefit Alaskans. He pointed out that freezing rain in
Anchorage today created hazardous road conditions, yet
truck drivers continued to deliver fuel to their customers.
Further, many drivers spend a lot of time away from home.
He highlighted that if a motorist has an accident on a
lonely stretch of highway, the first responders on the
scene are often truck drivers. He emphasized the importance
of recognizing and honoring truck drivers in Alaska. He
urged members to assist truck drivers by handling other
issues that affect drivers.
1:58:41 PM
RANDY EFIRD, Assistant Terminal Manager, Weaver Brothers,
Anchorage, Alaska, stated that every item in grocery
stores, gas stations, liquor stores, dealerships, and box
stores arrived via a truck driver. If truck drivers did not
deliver goods, consumers would lack necessities in a few
days. This bill will honor truck drivers performing their
jobs.
1:59:30 PM
SAMANTHA BROWN, Manager, United Freight; Board Member,
Alaska Trucking Association, Anchorage, Alaska, stated that
truck drivers deserve recognition for their crucial role in
Alaska's economy. Alaska has skilled, educated truck
drivers who sacrifice so much to perform their work. Truck
drivers are essential but often are not credited for the
recognition they deserve. They work long hours, away from
their families for extended periods, encounter inclement
weather and poor driving conditions, and face obstacles on
a daily basis. Most people don't fully understand the
adversity the drivers face. She noted that Alaska has truck
driver shortages that also adds stress to drivers who work
to meet the demand for goods. Without truck drivers, every
industry and individual in Alaska would be adversely
impacted. She offered her view that SB 150 will show
Alaska's appreciation for truck drivers and help to educate
the general public on the crucial work they perform.
2:00:47 PM
JOE MICHEL, Executive Director, Alaska Trucking Association
(ATA), Anchorage, Alaska, spoke in support of SB 150. This
bill highlights the critical impact and service of the
professional women and men who drive trucks supporting
Alaska's economy every day. It would be difficult to find a
community in Alaska that is not impacted by the
professional work truck drivers perform. He related that
ATA appreciates that the Truck Driver Appreciation Day, the
second Monday of September of each year, aligns with the
National Truck Driver's Appreciation Week. Member companies
have always observed that week by distributing food to
drivers at state weigh stations, among other observances.
He expressed his gratitude for the committee hearing SB
150.
2:01:41 PM
CHAIR MYERS closed public testimony on SB 150.
CHAIR MYERS solicited amendments from members but there
were none.
2:02:00 PM
At ease
2:08:42 PM
CHAIR MYERS reconvened the meeting.
2:08:55 PM
SENATOR SHOWER moved to report HB 150 [in error], work
order 32-LS1277\A from committee with individual
recommendations and attached fiscal note(s).
2:09:09 PM
At ease
2:10:19 PM
CHAIR MYERS reconvened the meeting. He asked Senator Shower
to restate the motion since he misspoke.
[The committee treated it as though the committee had
rescinded the previous motion.]
2:10:24 PM
SENATOR SHOWER moved to report SB 150, work order 32-
LS1277\A from committee with individual recommendations and
attached fiscal note(s).
CHAIR MYERS heard no objection, and SB 150 was reported
from the Senate Transportation Standing Committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 150 v. A Sponsor Statement.pdf |
STRA 2/15/2022 1:30:00 PM |
SB 150 |
| SB 150 v. A Sectional Analysis.pdf |
STRA 2/15/2022 1:30:00 PM |
SB 150 |
| SB 150 Fiscal Note DOT&PF.pdf |
STRA 2/15/2022 1:30:00 PM |
SB 150 |
| SB 150 Support Document- NCSL .pdf |
STRA 2/15/2022 1:30:00 PM |
SB 150 |
| SB 150 Support Document-ATA 2020 National Truck Driver Appreciation Week.pdf |
STRA 2/15/2022 1:30:00 PM |
SB 150 |
| SB 150 Support Document-The New York Times.pdf |
STRA 2/15/2022 1:30:00 PM |
SB 150 |
| SB 150 Support Letter- AMA.pdf |
STRA 2/15/2022 1:30:00 PM |
SB 150 |
| SB 150 Truck Driver AppreciationDay Presentation.pdf |
STRA 2/15/2022 1:30:00 PM |
SB 150 |