HB 46-WAIVE CDL SKILL TEST FOR CERTAIN VETERANS  9:03:16 AM CHAIR DYSON announced the consideration of HB 46. REPRESENTATIVE DAN SADDLER, sponsor of HB 46, said the bill is predicated on the assumption that veterans have honed their driving skills while in the military and should not have to pass the state Commercial Motor Vehicle Driving Skills Test (CDL). The bill would help veterans get jobs and businesses hire qualified drivers. Many Alaska industries require the (CDL) and recent federal law allows this test to be bypassed. He noted the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is encouraging states to allow such waivers and as of January 9, 2013, 34 states allow the waiver. Ten states are working on similar legislation, including Alaska, and seven states do not currently allow the waiver. The bill directs the Department of Administration to adopt regulations in accordance with federal law to allow such waivers. CHAIR DYSON asked about the process of applying for a CDL in Alaska. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER explained that one has to be an Alaska resident and domiciled here for 30 days, possess a regular driver's license for a year, and pass knowledge and road tests. 9:06:37 AM AMY ERICKSON, Director, Division of Motor Vehicles, Department of Administration, introduced herself and offered to answer questions related to HB 46. CHAIR DYSON asked if the department favored the bill. MS. ERICKSON said yes. CHAIR DYSON asked how much time a veteran would save by not having to take the CDL. MS. ERICKSON replied that the pass/fail test takes about two hours and scheduling it could take a few weeks. Once an applicant passes the test, the division would issue the license immediately. SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked if the bill is necessary or if the division could adopt regulations without the bill. MS. ERICKSON said legislation is needed to waive the skills test. SENATOR STEDMAN clarified that the written test is still in order; this legislation waives the driving test and vehicle inspection portion of the test. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER said agreed. SENATOR STEDMAN noted he has a CDL. 9:09:31 AM MARC SAN SOUCI, Northwest Regional Liaison, U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), testified in support of HB 46. He reported that heavy and tractor trailer driving ranks in the top ten of all occupational specialties in the military and is the second highest occupation in the Army, with almost eight percent of personnel skilled in it, and the second highest in the Marines with over five percent skilled in it. The Department of Labor forecasts that the truck driving field will have a faster-than- average job growth projection between 2010 and 2020. He emphasized that taxpayers have already paid for military truck driver training through federal tax dollars to the DOD budget. CHAIR DYSON asked how a veteran verifies that he or she has the military training and experience. MR. SAN SOUCI explained that the military is working on documentation to submit to the respective state agency upon discharge. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER offered his understanding that a form is under development for an officer to fill out to verify the veteran's experience and training. The military member's service record would include which schools he or she attended. 9:12:57 AM SENATOR STEDMAN asked for the difference between military training and a citizen's training. His impression is that the military training is more stringent. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER said he couldn't give a detailed differentiation. He deferred the answer to Mr. Thompson. CHAIR DYSON mentioned double or "train" rigs and asked if there is comparable military equipment. MR. SAN SOUCI said he wasn't qualified to answer that question. 9:15:03 AM AVES THOMPSON, Executive Director, Alaska Trucking Association (ATA), testified in support of HB 46. He related that ATA is a statewide organization representing over 200 businesses. He said it is difficult to find qualified drivers of commercial vehicles. The industry welcomes returning veterans and the opportunity to help former military drivers find employment, as they have good training and extensive experience. SENATOR GIESSEL asked about comparability of civilian and military licensing. MR. THOMPSON said he wasn't altogether familiar with military training, but did know that they operate large rigs on substandard roads. In Alaska there are private driving schools that provide 4-6 weeks of classroom and on-the-road training. He opined that civilian training was not minimal and was basically the same as military training. CHAIR DYSON commented that military drivers do not have to deal with scale houses and inspections. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER added that civilians do not have to deal with improvised explosion devices. CHAIR DYSON asked for the will of the committee. 9:18:09 AM SENATOR GIESSEL moved to report HB 46, version 28-LS0263\A, from committee with individual recommendations and attached zero fiscal note. CHAIR DYSON found no objection and announced that HB 46 moved from the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.