HB 83 COMMERCIAL VEHICLE INSPECTIONS   Number 434 CHAIRMAN WARD announced that CSHB 83(STA) was the final order of business before the committee. REPRESENTATIVE MARTIN , Prime Sponsor, said that this matter was brought to his attention by the Ombudsman's office. The bill would repeal an unnecessary law that requires commercial vehicle inspections twice a year; that law has not been followed. The industry itself has a much better program that complies with the federal government and provides more assurance of safety on the highways. Representative Martin hoped that the committee would support CSHB 83(STA). SERGEANT BRAD BROWN , Alaska State Troopers, explained that through the years, there has been an effective size and weight enforcement program which includes commercial vehicle enforcement. In 1985/86 commercial vehicle enforcement dwindled. Although AS 28.32 was introduced as an inspection program, no fiscal note was applied to that which resulted in no commercial vehicle enforcement for a time. Alaska then became fourth in the nation for fatality rates related to commercial vehicles. The troopers and the Alaska Highway Safety Planning did review the development of a commercial vehicle enforcement unit. Throughout this process the state, federal, and industry have worked together. Initially, the out of service rate was 88 to 90 percent of commercial vehicles inspected in the Anchorage area in 1990. That has been reduced to about a 23 percent out of service rate. The accident rates have also been significantly reduced with regard to commercial vehicles actually contributing to an accident. Sergeant Brown informed the committee that he was out of state attending a hazardous material conference. During this conference, Alaska has been the envy of many states. By the industry and legislative regulatory process, Alaska has brought itself in compliance with all the Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, lowered the accident rate, and generally improved the safety and operation of Alaska's highways. Sergeant Brown expressed the desire to continue that through HB 83 by continuing to operate under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations which require one inspection per year, establish the criteria to be met for those inspections and the qualifications required of the inspectors. SENATOR LINCOLN referred to page 2, line 16 which speaks to the compliance of 49 C.F.R. 396, but there is not a definition in the bill speaking to that provision. REPRESENTATIVE MARTIN did not know. Number 509 FRANK DILLON , Executive Director of the Alaska Trucking Association, explained that this bill would replace a statute that has been on the books, but has not been into effect nor would it have worked well had it been put into effect. This legislation solidifies the adoption of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation which is an extensive system of safety regulations applying to truck users, the equipment standards, and the operators. Mr. Dillon said that most of the companies in Alaska have been doing this type of inspection as well as following these rules for the last four years as a result of the administrative adoption of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations at the Department of Public Safety. Mr. Dillon pointed out that the mandated annual inspection will not be the only inspection the trucks receive. Everyday the truck is inspected by the driver before operating the vehicle, the driver is required to file a written report at the end of the work shift listing any deficiencies. There are also mandated programs requiring record keeping and regular maintenance checks. Furthermore, a truck can be stopped at any time by the commercial vehicle unit and be inspected on the road. Mr. Dillon echoed Mr. Brown's comments regarding the reduction in the number of accidents. In conclusion, Mr. Dillon requested that the committee support CSHB 83(STA). SENATOR LINCOLN determined from Mr. Dillon's statements that all of the truckers understand the language of 49 C.F.R. 396. FRANK DILLON noted that the process of education continues. There are some 25,000 to 30,000 commercial drivers license holders in Alaska and some 35,000 to 45,000 commercial vehicles which are not concentrated in one area or with one company. Mr. Dillon said that the association along with DOT and the troopers have been educating truck users throughout Alaska about these rules. Mr. Dillon pointed out the substantial penalty imposed on those ignoring the inspections and the criteria. CHAIRMAN WARD inquired as to the pleasure of the committee. SENATOR WILKEN moved to report CSHB 83(STA) out of committee with individual recommendations and accompanying fiscal notes. Without objection, it was so ordered.