HB 345-WAIVE CDL SKILL TEST FOR CERTAIN VETERANS  1:09:54 PM CHAIR P. WILSON announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 345, "An Act relating to regulations adopted by the Department of Administration waiving the commercial motor vehicle driving skills test for certain drivers with military commercial motor vehicle experience." 1:10:27 PM REPRESENTATIVE DAN SADDLER, Alaska State Legislature, speaking as the sponsor of HB 345, stated that HB 345 will help Alaska's returning personnel find good jobs and help Alaska businesses find qualified drivers by acknowledging most military drivers leaving the military service already possess the skills they need to be productive and safe drivers on civilian roads. The U.S. military depends on trucks and truck drivers, the so called "88 Mike" - the military occupation specialty of motor transport operators. The defense budget cuts indicate more veterans with an "88 Mike" designation are seeking work in Alaska. Fortunately there are many industries that are looking for civilian truck drivers. The civilian commercial license or CVL is a valuable credential that offers a significant boost for anyone looking for work in the civilian job market. He explained that CVLs are issued by the state but under strict federal standards. This bill, HB 345, would direct the Department of Administration (DOA) to adopt regulations in accordance with federal standards, which will allow these veterans to use their military driving experience in lieu of the road skills test as long as the applicant meets other standards. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER explained that in order to qualify for a waiver a driver must have spent the last two years or more driving the type of equipment in the military he/she hopes to use in the civilian jobs. Further, the drivers must have worked for the past 90 days as a military driver and must meet federal exemption standards outlined in federal [49] CFR 383.77. The applicant cannot ever have had their driver's license suspended or revoked, had more than one traffic violation, been convicted of any driving offense involving drugs or alcohol, or been convicted for any serious traffic violation involving an accident. These standards, along with the requirement that military drivers must still meet the knowledge test, endorsement of specific knowledge tests, and medical tests, offer assurance that Alaska roads will be just as safe after this bill passes as they currently are today. He summarized the bill, noting that Alaskans who hone their driving skills while still in service to our nation deserve to have that experience validated and honored in the civilian world. He offered his belief that HB 345 is an important tool to help military members obtain credentials they need to get good jobs in the civilian sector and also help Alaska employers hire skilled drivers. 1:12:50 PM REPRESENTATIVE PETERSEN asked what type of documentation veterans will need to show the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to allow them to issue the waiver. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER deferred to the department to answer. 1:13:48 PM WHITNEY BREWSTER, Director, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Department of Administration (DOA), stated several states have implemented similar waiver programs for military personnel, including Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Washington, New York, and Nevada. She offered her belief that the DMV could fashion its program after one adopted by Pennsylvania, which requires an applicant to show a military driver's license that clearly identifies the type of vehicle an individual is authorized to drive. She outlined that if it is not clear on the military license, Pennsylvania allows for use of a verification of military experience and training document, or a letter on military letterhead that indicates the type of vehicles the person is or was authorized to operate. Additionally, Pennsylvania also requires federal DD2 or DD214 forms to be used within two years of honorable discharge. Many states have already adopted similar programs and the DMV would review the programs to determine allowable substitute documents and the DMV would institute a similar program by regulation. 1:15:40 PM CHAIR P. WILSON pointed to language in HB 345 which requires a driver must have spent the last two years or more driving the type of equipment he expects to use in the civilian job and must have worked the past 90 days as a military driver. She questioned whether the DMV will follow the specific requirements of the bill. MS. BREWSTER answered yes. Additionally, the DMV will make sure its program would also meets the federal requirements since commercial driver licensing is a federally-regulated program so the DMV would need to meet the requirements of 49 CFR 383.77 that specifies what evidence is to be shown to the DMV. 1:16:35 PM REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG referenced the sponsor statement. He asked if all of HB 345 provisions fall under the federal regulations 49 CFR 383.77. MS. BREWSTER answered that the 90-day requirement and two-year requirement for operating a similar vehicle is listed in federal regulations 49 CFR 383.77. She pointed out that the state could make the requirements more restrictive since the federal law sets out minimum law. 1:17:50 PM REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG related his understanding the various disqualifying items, such as not more than one conviction, or having serious traffic violations is limited to those convictions that occurred within the past two years. MS. BREWSTER related her understanding that is the case. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG remarked that he did not think many drivers who have been driving for any length of time would have so few traffic violations. He acknowledged the bill addresses the past two years, which seemed doable. 1:19:01 PM AVES THOMPSON, Executive Director, Alaska Trucking Association, Inc. (ATA) stated that the ATA is a statewide organization representing the interests of nearly 200 member companies. He asked to testify in support of HB 345. One of the pressing problems in the industry is to find qualified drivers for commercial vehicles to deliver freight. He said, "As you all know, if you got it, a truck brought it." The ATA spends a lot of time and effort retaining good drivers. The regulatory bar has been raised in the past few years to further increase the professionalism of drivers in the trucking industry. He offered his belief that when someone says they are just a truck driver, they miss the mark completely. He highlighted that truck driving is a profession that requires a great deal of in-depth knowledge of the regulations as well as driving skills to navigate a large rig through Alaska's highway system. He characterized Alaska's drivers as some of the best in the nation. These Alaska become outstanding drivers through training, experience, and their own enlightened self-interest since sometimes their driving skills can save their own lives or the lives of others. He acknowledged that the industry welcomes veterans and appreciates this opportunity to support them. He emphasized that with the proper certification as to a veteran's experience, the ATA supports waiving the skills test for the issuance of a commercial driver's license. He further said, "As a veteran myself and on behalf of our membership, we are proud to support HB 345 and urge that you pass this bill out of committee with do pass recommendations. 1:20:59 PM CHAIR P. WILSON, after first determining no one else wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 345. 1:21:11 PM REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON inquired as to whether there is a similarity and correlation between military and private vehicles so a veteran could easily come in and drive an 18 wheeler or other big rig. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER responded that military personnel drive a wide range of vehicles ranging from jeeps and humvees to large lowboys. He offered his belief there is a correlation and a wide range of experience. He suggested that since the 80s and 90s there has been a move towards automatic transmissions in smaller vehicles. He pointed out that many commercial vehicles have standard transmissions so there might be a small lag time when a military driver may need to pick up an endorsement in order to transition to some commercial vehicles. 1:22:29 PM REPRESENTATIVE PETERSEN moved to report HB 345 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal note. There being no objection, HB 345 was reported from the House Transportation Standing Committee. 1:23:01 PM The committee took an at-ease from 1.23 p.m. to 1:25 p.m.