HOUSE BILL NO. 75 An Act relating to driver's licenses and alcohol awareness testing. REPRESENTATIVE JAY RAMRAS, SPONSOR, stated that HB 75 would continue his efforts to improve alcohol management and awareness in Alaska. The bill stipulates that all drivers' licenses issued to a person under 21 years old would expire st ninety-days after their 21 birthday. HB 75 would further require that a person turning 21 must take a test regarding alcohol safety awareness and laws related to drinking and driving prior to receiving their adult Alaska driver's license. Representative Ramras explained that once the bill takes effect, all drivers' licenses of Alaskans, 21 years old would be adult licenses. The alcohol awareness test would serve to relate the privileges of driving to the responsibility of consumption of alcohol. The test would be designed by the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). It is the sponsor's intent to have Mother's Against Drunk Driving (MADD) participates in the process of the test design. HB 75 will help cut down on minors consuming alcohol, by creating a bright-line between adult and minor driver licenses as the license issued to a person over 21 would be an adult license and look different than the one issued to a minor. Representative Ramras referenced the sheet distributed by the DMV, indicating the .08 level which qualifies that person as legally drunk for a Driving Under the Influence (DUI). (Copy on File). The legislation attempts to identify the youth-at-risk group, emphasizing the harm that these young people do to their own life as well as others. He pointed out that many businesses will not hire any person with a DUI. Representative Ramras added that there are young people committing a crime, sometimes a matter of ignorance. Representative Ramras summarized that HB 75 is good public policy making the general knowledge test mandatory to minors getting their renewed license. The test will consist of eight questions on driving and eight regarding alcohol and insurance. 1:59:13 PM Representative Joule commented that in many parts of the State, access to a DMV is difficult and worried about the 90-day restriction. Representative Ramras explained that there has to be law, applying to both urban and rural areas. He understood the concerns and offered to discuss them further with legislators and Mr. Bannock from the DMV. 2:00:58 PM DUANE BANNOCK, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES, DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION, ANCHORAGE, pointed out that there are many customers who have off-system licenses. With an off-system license, the customer does not take a driving test nor is their license printed with a photo on it and recommended that the off- system license not be included in the bill. Those people do not take a driving skills test, only a knowledge test. The DMV is prepared that the proposed law will not affect that group; the key words are "off-system license". Representative Joule did not want to see anyone in the State sidestep the responsibility for learning the restrictions that happen when an individual comes of age. He understood that eventually they would have to take the test. It would be more effective if all citizens received the benefit of such education, addressing the responsibility and privilege of having a driver's license. Mr. Bannock agreed. The DMV has provided testimony in other Committees regarding the benefit of the provision outlined in Section 1-creating the distance knowledge test. He noted copies of that test included in member's file. (Copy on File). 2:05:14 PM Representative Hawker referenced Alaska statute, addressing the concern & wondered why the responsibility would be duplicated: AS 28.15.081: "Examination of applicants which includes a test of the applicant's knowledge of the effects of drugs and alcohol and the dangers of driving under the influence." Representative Ramras responded that the test is not administered at 16 but rather at 14 years old. He believed that the maturity & poise of someone at the age of 16 is quite different than that at 21. The judgment of the younger adult population is not always able to manage well, the responsibility of alcohol, placing others at risk. He believed that all communities would benefit at a moderate cost. 2:09:49 PM Representative Hawker asked why the State does not require the test at each renewal date. Representative Ramras agreed that would be a great benefit; however, he did not believe he could get a bill like that moved through the Committee process. Initially, the bill was drafted to testing all adults, but some suggested that was too intrusive. Representative Hawker noted concern when drawing arbitrary age lines. Representative Ramras stated it was not arbitrary, as 21 years old is recognized in statute as the legal age to consume alcohol. 2:11:52 PM Co Chair Chenault commented on the license age extension dates indicated on licenses and the confusion transpiring from that notation. He supported the 90-day period. He inquired the percentage of DUI's at 16 versus 21 years old. JANE PIERSON, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE JAY RAMRAS, responded that those statistics are not available at this time. Co Chair Chenault voiced concern with the testing. He agreed with Representative Hawker that the statutes are already in place. He supported the concept testing at every renewal age. 2:15:07 PM Representative Thomas asked about inclusion of military exemptions. Ms. Pierson explained that those exemptions were indicated in the Alaska Administrative Code (AAC), title 2.90.430, which provides 90-days when returning from active duty. Representative Thomas commented on license expiration related to loosing the Permanent Fund check. He worried about "legislating morality". He supported driver's education classes in high school. Representative Ramras responded that the bill does not have anything to do with legislating morality but rather educating young people about the perils of consuming alcohol & driving at age 21. 2:18:32 PM Representative Gara agreed with the concept, but he did not like the way it was written. He thought that education was the important part. Representative Ramras explained that alcohol awareness is one of the two major components of the bill. Representative Gara stated that the test would not accomplish anything unless the education portion was there. He suggested that an instructional video, showing what driving while impaired, looks like. Representative Ramras disagreed with putting such a burden on the Division. He reiterated that providing a publication & having a test would be best. He hoped that the test would consist of a broader knowledge. 2:21:09 PM Representative Gara asked how the questions would be worded on the written test. Mr. Bannock referenced Page 2, Question 4, on the "knowledge test", as submitted by the Division. (Copy on File). Representative Crawford stated that the bill addresses prevention, which he applauds. He noted that it will provide one more tool to save lives, indicating he had co- sponsored the bill. Representative Gara referenced the test questions, offering his own experience taking the driving written test. He noted that he did not remember any of the test questions but did remember the video he watched showing the consequences of a drunk-driving accident. He believed that if the State is to have a serious impact, a video viewing must be required. Representative Ramras responded that if that were the determination made by the DMV, he would abide by it; however, during his conversation with Director Bannock, it was agreed to be accomplished through the publicized test. The general knowledge test has been designed so that a 14 year old could pass it. The proposed test will be designed for a 21 year old and specific in the knowledge tested. He did not agree with the comments of Representative Gara. Representative Gara asked if it would be possible for DMV offices to offer a video showing the consequences of drunk driving. Mr. Bannock replied anything is possible; however, pointed out that most DMV offices are very small and that they are not in the business of training and educating people. Mr. Bannock added there had been excellent commentary in previous committee provided by Representative Roses - a school teacher, about how important a driver's license is to today's youth. Few school districts teach drivers education. He submitted that a proposed test could be more focused and specific to the age at which the law allows legal drinking. 2:28:37 PM Representative Gara worried what education would be required if it was not submitted by the State. Co-Chair Meyer recommended that a certain amount of the education should come from parents, MADD and other groups interested, the DMV should not be totally responsible for education. Representative Nelson asked the provisions for out-of-state college students. Representative Ramras explained that it would be the same provision allowed for the military. When they return home, they have 90-days to take care of that business. Mr. Bannock added that those are the regulations for both out of out-of-State college students and the military, which is a courtesy provision extension provision and can be up to one year. Sometimes, it is needed when a person is out of State on vacation. 2:32:42 PM Representative Hawker addressed the education aspect and how it could best be delivered. He summarized previous discussion comments, suggested that since the State was imposing a mandate, it should be through the school system. Representative Ramras emphasized that there are many young people struggling in how to handle alcohol. He believed that the correct place to disseminate the information would be the DMV. He stressed his interest in alcohol awareness. The bill provides an opportunity to message-out to the 21 year old, to marry the privilege of driving with the responsibility drinking. He worried about the number of young people that get DWI's. 2:40:20 PM In response to Co-Chair Meyer, Mr. Bannock addressed the fiscal note request in the amount of $5 thousand dollars, which would be used for proprietary software. Co-Chair Meyer agreed that the bill will do more good than harm. 2:41:53 PM Representative Gara advised that he would introduce an amendment to the bill on the House floor. He inquired if the DMV offices have the capability for someone to watch a video. Mr. Bannock said no. The DMV offices usually are not physically bigger than they have to be and that the same standards would have to be imposed on all the smaller offices. 2:44:41 PM Representative Foster MOVED to REPRT CS HB 75 (FIN) out of Committee with individual recommendations and with the accompanying fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CS HB 75 (STA) was reported out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with a new zero note by the Department of Health and Social Services and fiscal note #1 by the Department of Administration. 2:45:41 PM