SENATOR KELLY called the Senate Labor and Commerce meeting to order at 1:40 p.m. and announced SB 174 (EXEMPTING CAB DRIVERS FROM EMPLOYMENT LAW) to be up for consideration. JOSH FINK, Legislative Aide for Senator Kelly, explained the Labor & Commerce committee substitute that was before the committee. He said it includes he Department of Labor's request that contracts establishing the independent contractor relationship be written; an immediate effective date has been added; and it addresses the retro-activity by limiting that to unemployment insurance in the event a notice of determination has not been given by the Department. SENATOR SALO noted that there were two letters in opposition to the legislation. She asked if they were from former cab drivers. MR. FINK explained that one of them was from a former cab driver in Ketchikan who was denied benefits and had made false certifications. SENATOR RIEGER moved to adopt the CSSB 174(L&C). There were no objections and it was so ordered. Number 77 SENATOR RIEGER moved to pass CSSB 174(L&C) from committee with individual recommendations. There were no objections and it was so ordered. SENATOR KELLY adjourned the meeting at 1:45 p.m.