HB 271-COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS  1:11:11 PM SENATOR KOOKESH announced the consideration of CSHB 271(TRA)am. REPRESENTATIVE WES KELLER, sponsor of HB 271 introduced the bill. 1:12:11 PM JIM POUND, staff, Representative Wes Keller, sponsor of HB 271, explained the bill. He said HB 271 will make doing business in Alaska a little bit less costly. Transportation of goods in pickup trucks or small step vans is classified as commercial transport today, and HB 271 proposes to change that by changing vehicle weight restrictions from 10,000 pounds to 14,000 pounds. Trucks were smaller when the legislation first originated in 1999. He gave an example of an on-site welding business that carries the welder in the back of the truck and is required to have a commercial registration. The costs associated with that are for a commercial driver's license, additional insurance, registration fees, and a medical examination. Changing the language from 10,000 pounds to 14,000 pounds makes the average one-ton pickup non-commercial. The same rule applies to pilot vehicles. 1:13:56 PM SENATOR MENARD asked if there was any opposition to the bill. MR. POUND said no. The Department of Transportation and Public Facilities and the Alaska Truckers Association have worked together on the bill to ensure that everyone is happy with it. SENATOR THOMAS suggested that vehicles are safer now and do not present a danger even though they weigh more. MR. POUND agreed. REPRESENTATIVE KELLER added that less maintenance is needed to maintain safe vehicles. 1:15:25 PM AVES THOMPSON, Executive Director, Alaska Trucking Association (ATA), testified in support of HB 271. He said one of ATA's legislative priorities is to change the definition of an intra- state commercial vehicle to reduce the regulatory burden on small businesses. As vehicles have gotten larger and heavier, many now fall into the commercial category ensuing additional costs to the owners. He noted that the legislation would not change the commercial status of intra-state vehicles for purposes of registration with DMV and therefore there is no fiscal impact on the state. He urged favorable action on the bill. 1:19:43 PM SENATOR MENARD asked if there would be a fiscal loss to the state. DAN BREEDEN, Director, Division of Measurement Standards & Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, addressed Senator Menard's question and said that the law would apply only to intra-state operations and would not change registration requirements. 1:21:19 PM SENATOR MENARD moved to report CS for HB 271, version D, from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). CHAIR KOOKESH announced that without objection, CSHB 271(TRA)am moved from the Senate Transportation Standing Committee.