SB 123-LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: COMM. DRIVERS                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
4:38:34 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR SUMNER announced  that the next order of  business would be                                                               
the committee substitute  (CS) FOR SENATE BILL  NO. 123(L&C), "An                                                               
Act  relating  to  commercial   motor  vehicle  drivers'  license                                                               
requirements; and providing for an effective date."                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
4:38:54 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
EMMA  TORKELSON,  Staff,  Senator  James  Kaufman,  Alaska  State                                                               
Legislature,   on   behalf   of   the   prime   sponsor,   Senate                                                               
Transportation  Standing  Committee,  of  which  Senator  Kaufman                                                               
serves as  the chair, presented  CSSB 123(L&C).  She  stated that                                                               
the proposed  legislation would repeal the  state requirement for                                                               
individuals to have  a normal driver's license for  a year before                                                               
obtaining  a commercial  driver's license  (CDL).   She explained                                                               
the  difference between  SB 123  and HB  124 is  that the  former                                                               
would have an immediate effective date.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
4:39:40 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  CARRICK  asked  whether  certain  winter  driving                                                               
conditions  should  be  incorporated  into  the  requirement  for                                                               
obtaining a CDL.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
MS. TORKELSON answered that between  the federal requirements and                                                               
the  experience  requirements  for  larger  commercial  vehicles,                                                               
public safety would not be negatively impacted.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
4:41:57 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
VICE  CHAIR RUFFRIDGE  moved to  report SB  123 out  of committee                                                               
with  individual  recommendations  and  the  accompanying  fiscal                                                               
notes.  There being no  objection, CSSB 123(L&C) was reported out                                                               
of the House Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.