Legislature(2023 - 2024)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/22/2024 03:30 PM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB18 | |
| SB208 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 18 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 208 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
SB 208-VEHICLES:REGISTER; TRANSFER; INS.; LICENSE
3:53:02 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO.
208 "An Act relating to the registration and titling of
vehicles; relating to electronic registration and titling;
relating to the powers of the commissioner of administration
with respect to motor vehicles; relating to the transfer of
vehicles; relating to motor vehicle liability insurance;
relating to non-domiciled commercial driver's licenses and non-
domiciled commercial learner's permits; and providing for an
effective date."
3:54:01 PM
LESLIE ISSACS, Legislative Liaison, Department of
Administration, Anchorage, Alaska, introduced himself.
3:54:28 PM
JEFF SCHMITZ, Director, Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV),
Juneau, Alaska, noted this is basically an omnibus bill before
you and there has not been an active omnibus bill in the past 25
years despite DMV's interest in changing certain provisions. He
said SB 208 aims to modernize DMV's processes and systems,
provide conveniences for Alaskans, remove governmental burdens,
and allow access to electronic access to government services.
These changes authorize DMV to implement electronic vehicle
titling and registration, enter into data sharing agreements
with law enforcement agencies or national driver data services,
and issue non-domicile commercial driver's licenses and
learner's permits. Other changes include the repeal of
provisions concerning the long-shuttered Vehicle Inspection
Program (I/M), cleanup of ambiguous or contradictory statutes,
clarification on registration requirements, and adding new
language that would require DMV to review crash reports and
request proof of insurance from individuals who have not already
provided, it as required by law. These changes seek to enhance
organizational efficiency, ensure clear communications and
practices within DMV, and bring operations in line with both
state and national contexts.
3:57:28 PM
MR. SCHMITZ presented the sectional analysis:
[Original punctuation provided.]
SB208: VEHICLES: REGISTER; TRANSFER; INS.; LICENSE
(Version A)
Sectional Analysis
Section 1
This section adds a new subsection into Alaska Statute
28.05.011 that allows the Commissioner of
Administration to adopt regulations for the electronic
registration and titling process.
Section 2
This section adds a new subsection into Alaska Statute
28.05.021 which allows the Commissioner of
Administration to enter into agreements with a law
enforcement agency, a governmental agency or program
or a data exchange service.
Section 3
This section amends Alaska Statute 28.05.045 by
removing the requirement that a voter application must
be made in a Department office.
Section 4
This section amends Alaska Statute 28.10.081(a) by
adding explanatory language which orders the
department to mail or deliver the certificate of
registration to the owner of a vehicle in accordance
with Title 28. This section also amends Alaska Statute
28.10.081(b) by removing the requirement that the
certificate of registration be carried in the vehicle
and adding the requirement that the driver shall carry
a certificate of registration in the vehicle. This
section also removes language from Alaska Statute
28.10.081(b) that requires the driver of a vehicle to
carry the original certificate of registration or
photocopy.
Section 5
This section adds a new subsection into Alaska Statute
28.10.081 that releases a peace officer from liability
if presented with registration on a mobile electronic
device, unless there are damages because of
intentional misconduct.
Section 6
This section amends Alaska Statute 28.10.091 to add
the words 'or defective' when referencing a
certificate of registration or a registration plate.
Additionally, this amendment adds the term 'if
applicable' when referencing returning an original
registration or registration plate.
Section 7
This section amends Alaska Statute 28.10.108(h) to add
verbiage which allows the department to renew a timely
registration and deliver the registration directly to
the owner, mail to the mailing address in department
records, or to deliver to the electronic mail address
recorded in department records.
Section 8
This section amends Alaska Statute 28.10.181(e) by
removing the requirement that should the Division
request a listing of vehicles from the state,
municipality, or charitable organization that the
listing be in order of registration number assigned.
Section 9
This section repeals and reenacts Alaska Statute
28.10.201(c) to require all owners consent on the
initial issuance to register a vehicle if the
certificate of title lists the owners using the
conjunctive 'and' whereas only one of the owners'
consents is necessary to register the vehicle if the
disjunctive 'or' is used.
Section 10
This section amends AS 28.10.231(c) to allow the
Division to print all registered owners on a Vehicle
Title.
Section 11
This section amends Alaska Statute 28.10.251(a) to add
the words 'or defective' when referencing a
certificate of title.
Section 12
This section amends Alaska Statute 28.10.271(a) by
adding language which states the registration of the
vehicle does not expire unless expiration is addressed
in Alaska Statute 28.10.181.
Section 13
This section amends Alaska Statute 28.10.381(b) by
adding language that all owners of the vehicle will be
listed on the title.
Section 14
This section adds a new subsection into Alaska Statute
28.10.441 that allows the Commissioner of
Administration to adopt regulations and if so, set
fees for the electronic registration and titling
process.
Section 15
This section amends Alaska Statute 28.15.031(c) by
removing the requirement for a Commercial Driver
License applicant to be domiciled in this State.
Section 16
This section adds a new subsection into Alaska Statute
28.22.031 which requires the department to review all
crash reports and request proof of insurance from a
vehicle owner only when that proof is not present in
the report.
Section 17
This section amends Alaska Statute 28.33.100(a) by
adding the authority for a non-domiciled commercial
driver's license applicant to not have to surrender
their license issued by a foreign jurisdiction. This
section also removes the requirement for a commercial
driver license applicant to be domiciled in this
state.
Section 18
This section adds a new subsection into Alaska Statute
28.33 which provides the authority for the department
to issue a non-domiciled commercial driver's license
and non-domiciled commercial learner's permit to an
applicant who is domiciled in a foreign jurisdiction
or another state. This section also allows a
commercial learners permit to be issued to a non-
domiciled applicant for their duration of stay or for
one year, whichever one is sooner.
Section 19
This section amends Alaska Statute 28.39.040(c) which
removes the requirement for a certificate of
registration to be signed.
Section 20
This section amends Alaska Statute 28.39.040(f) to
allow a driver to display an electronic certificate of
registration for a snowmobile on a mobile device. This
section also directs that a peace officer is not able
to access other contents of the mobile device and
releases a peace officer from liability if presented
with registration on a mobile electronic device unless
there are damages because of intentional misconduct.
Section 21
This section amends Alaska Statute 28.39.050(a) to put
the responsibility of the change of ownership for a
snowmobile on only the buyer, removing the
responsibility from the seller. This amendment
requires the buyer to apply for registration to the
department and if requirements are met, the department
shall process.
Section 22
This section amends Alaska Statute 28.90.990(a) by
adding definitions for 'commercial driver license' and
'commercial learner's permit' to both include non-
domiciled credentials.
Section 23
This section repeals Alaska Statute 28.10.271(d) which
covered the emissions inspection and maintenance
certificate. This section also repeals Alaska Statute
28.33.190(9) which is the definition of 'domicile'.
Section 24
This section provides an immediate effective date per
AS 01.10.070(c).
4:05:53 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI asked if the data exchange services under section
2 are managed through commercial or governmental avenues.
4:06:25 PM
MR. SCHMITZ explained that by implementing data exchange
services, Alaskans could conveniently apply for a new social
security card online. He stated that while other states utilize
the Driver's License Data Verification Service (DLDV) through
the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA)
to facilitate this process, the state currently lacks the
ability to verify information online. Alaskans are required to
visit physical offices or send submissions via mail, which
inconveniences residents. SB 208 aims to streamline services,
enabling Alaskans to fulfill requests through DLDV services.
4:07:38 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI asked which department, or organization manages
DLVD services and where the data originates.
4:08:05 PM
MR. SCHMITZ replied that DLDV services are provided by AAMVA,
which is a non-profit organization that serves state agencies
and counterparts across the country. He said AAMVA serves as an
intermediary to filter data and provide only "yes" or "no"
answers.
4:09:24 PM
SENATOR BJORKMAN inquired about the rationale to repeal the
definition of "domicile" under AS 28.33.190(9).
4:09:41 PM
MR. SCHMITZ replied that including the definition of domicile is
an important provision that would enable non-domiciled
residents, such as Ukrainian refugees temporarily staying in the
state, to obtain a commercial driver's license (CDL) in Alaska.
Under the existing statute, these individuals are unable to
pursue a CDL. SB 208 would remove the current barrier and grant
non-domiciled individuals access to job opportunities.
4:11:10 PM
SENATOR BJORKMAN stated that he understands the desire to
provide refugees with job opportunities, but expressed
uncertainty about the need to repeal the definition.
4:11:52 PM
MR. SCHMITZ responded that several people contributed to the
development of SB 208. He offered to provide additional
information to the committee.
4:12:45 PM
SENATOR BJORKMAN wondered whether DMV offers vehicle tag
forwarding services for individuals temporarily residing in
other parts of the state.
4:13:19 PM
MR. SCHMITZ asked for clarification to ensure he understood the
question.
4:13:38 PM
SENATOR BJORKMAN clarified that he wondered why DMV does not
have a mail forwarding process.
4:13:54 PM
MR. SCHMITZ invited David Dunlap, DMV Program Manager, to
respond.
4:14:10 PM
DAVID DUNLAP, Program Manager, Department of Motor Vehicles
(DMV), Juneau, Alaska, stated that DMV currently maintains both
a mailing and physical address for residents. When renewing
registration, residents have the option to update their mailing
addresses through the DMV website. Alternatively, they can
request forwarding by contacting DMV directly over the phone.
4:15:16 PM
SENATOR BJORKMAN asserted that DMV currently lacks the ability
to forward mail and questioned why this limitation exists. He
asked why DMV chose to not forward mail, despite the
availability of this service at the post office.
4:15:43 PM
MR. DUNLAP replied that he was unaware of that issue and said he
would investigate it further.
4:16:24 PM
MR. SCHMITZ conveyed that SB 208 aims to provide clearer
guidelines for issuing registrations and titles. He stated that
existing statutes suggest that a certificate or title must be a
physical document, which posed challenges for troopers last
year. The goal is to streamline registration and titling
processes. Part of the bill seeks to eliminate barriers that
hinder DMV's ability to offer electronic services.
4:18:00 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI opened public testimony on SB 208; finding none,
he closed public testimony.
4:18:36 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI held SB 208 in committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB0018A.pdf |
SSTA 2/22/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 18 |
| SB 18. Sponsor Statement. 1.31.24.pdf |
SSTA 2/22/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 18 |
| SB 18. Sectional Analysis 1. 31.25.pdf |
SSTA 2/22/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 18 |
| SB 18 fiscal note 2.19.24.pdf |
SSTA 2/22/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 18 |
| Digital Drivers Licenses__Jan 2024.pdf |
SSTA 2/22/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 18 Digital Drivers License |
| SB0208A.pdf |
SSTA 2/22/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 208 |
| SB208 Sectional Analysis.pdf |
SSTA 2/22/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 208 |
| 01.24.24 DMV Omnibus Senate Transmittal Letter.pdf |
SSTA 2/22/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 208 |
| SB208-DOA-DMV-02-16-2024.pdf |
SSTA 2/22/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 208 |
| Follow up responses SB 208.pdf |
SSTA 2/22/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 208 |