CSSB 174(L&C)am  EXEMPTING CAB DRIVERS FROM EMPLOYMENT LAW                   
                                                                               
  Number 246                                                                   
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN VEZEY then read the title to CSSB 174(L&C)am and                    
  called for a sponsor statement.                                              
                                                                               
  Number 254                                                                   
                                                                               
  JOSH FINK, AIDE TO SENATOR TIM KELLY, joined the committee                   
  to deliver the sponsor statement.  He noted Chairman Vezey                   
  introduced the House version of SB 174, and stated they were                 
  almost identical.  He stated CSSB 174(L&C)am simply                          
  maintains the status quo, which gives drivers the right to                   
  collect their pay directly from customers while paying a                     
  flat fee to a dispatch service.  He said CSSB 174(L&C)am                     
  also allows exemptions of taxicab operators from various                     
  state employment acts, and enjoys widespread support from                    
  both operators and dispatchers across the state.                             
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN VEZEY noted the reason behind CSSB 174(L&C)am was a                 
  1992 court decision.                                                         
                                                                               
  MR. FINK expressed his agreement, and noted that the                         
  Department of Labor is currently working to change its                       
  regulations after the decision.                                              
                                                                               
  Number 295                                                                   
                                                                               
  KAREN CHASSE, ANCHORAGE TAXICAB PERMIT OWNERS ASSOCIATION,                   
  joined the committee to testify in favor of CSSB 174(L&C)am.                 
  She stated operators have for years gone into business for                   
  themselves, knowing in advance they would not receive the                    
  benefits outlined in state employment acts.  In exchange for                 
  that, they remain independent businessmen able to determine                  
  their own hours and decide their own economic fate.  She                     
  said the Department of Labor is actively trying to take that                 
  status away from drivers by classifying them as employees,                   
  while making dispatchers employers.  She stated the industry                 
  and customers would both lose if that change is made.                        
                                                                               
  Number 372                                                                   
                                                                               
  REGINA DOYLE, DISPATCH MANAGER FOR YELLOW CAB, joined the                    
  committee to support CSSB 174(L&C)am.  She echoed many of                    
  Ms. Chasse's remarks, and stated CSSB 174(L&C)am simply put                  
  the status quo into statute before independent status might                  
  be taken from drivers.                                                       
                                                                               
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE ULMER moved passage of CSSB 174(L&C)am.                       
  There were no objections.