03/11/1998 01:11 PM House TRA

HB 291 - SLOW VEHICLES MUST PULL OVER                                          
                                                                               
Number 0906                                                                    
                                                                               
CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS announced the next order of business would be HB
, "An Act requiring certain motor vehicles to yield to following            
traffic," sponsored by Representative Hodgins.                                 
                                                                               
Number 0916                                                                    
                                                                               
TOM MANNINEN, Legislative Administrative Assistant to                          
Representative Hodgins, Alaska State Legislature, explained the                
bill would require certain motor vehicles to yield to following                
traffic.  He said they call it the "Winnebago Law II."  He                     
indicated Representative Hodgins agrees with a proposed amendment              
which changes the language from "single" to "double" lane and would            
add a minimum fine of $100 for the infraction.                                 
                                                                               
MR. MANNINEN read the following sponsor statement.  "Basically, it             
would require persons operating a motor vehicle to pull over at the            
first safe opportunity when there is 100 feet or more of visible               
open-lane whenever there are five or more vehicles immediately                 
following the vehicle.  And the violation would be punishable,                 
according to this, a fine not to exceed $100."  He noted the                   
proposed amendment would make it a minimum of $100.                            
                                                                               
Number 1028                                                                    
                                                                               
REPRESENTATIVE HUDSON made a motion to move HB 291, as amended, out            
of committee.                                                                  
                                                                               
CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS noted the amendment hasn't been added to the                 
bill.  He indicated they need to move Amendment 1.                             
                                                                               
REPRESENTATIVE HUDSON said, "I'll amend it just to adopt HB 291 for            
discussion purposes."                                                          
                                                                               
CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS stated, "There being no objection, so ordered."              
                                                                               
REPRESENTATIVE MASEK asked the chairman if he made a motion to                 
adopt Amendment 1.                                                             
                                                                               
REPRESENTATIVE HUDSON replied, "I didn't, I want a little                      
discussion on it."                                                             
                                                                               
CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS asked that the amendment be moved.                           
                                                                               
Number 1100                                                                    
                                                                               
REPRESENTATIVE MASEK made a motion to move Amendment 1 for the                 
purpose of discussion.                                                         
                                                                               
CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS reiterated, "Motion to move for discussion."  He             
asked Mr. Manninen to state his name for the record.                           
                                                                               
MR. MANNINEN introduced himself again.                                         
                                                                               
Number 1115                                                                    
                                                                               
REPRESENTATIVE HUDSON stated the amendment makes it much more                  
difficult because it's difficult to see when you have a five-car               
stack up.  He asked for an explanation as to why it is moved up to             
two lane highways and a higher level of penalty.                               
                                                                               
MR. MANNINEN stated the basic reason for that is that the current              
penalty provides for a penalty of up to $300, and that is set by               
the supreme court.  The minimums that have been assessed during the            
past year were $50.  Representative Hodgins feels strongly that the            
minimum should go up to $100.  The first change is due to an error             
as it should have been double-lane.                                            
                                                                               
Number 1212                                                                    
                                                                               
REPRESENTATIVE MASEK moved and asked unanimous consent to move HB
, as amended, out of committee with individual recommendations              
and with the attached zero fiscal notes.  There being no objection,            
CSHB 291(TRA), moved from the House Transportation Standing                    
Committee.