HB 259-CONFINING VEHICLE LOADS  1:29:05 PM CHAIR STEDMAN called the committee back to order and announced the consideration of [CSHB 259(JUD)AM.] "An Act relating to containing or confining loads being transported on highways." Noting that the bill was previously heard, he asked for a motion to adopt the Senate committee substitute (SCS). 1:29:38 PM SENATOR BISHOP moved to adopt the Senate CS for CSHB 259, version 30-LS0917\S, as the working document. 1:29:55 PM CHAIR STEDMAN objected for discussion purposes. 1:30:08 PM DAVID SCOTT, Staff, Senator Stedman, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, explained that the Senate committee substitute makes just one change. On page 2, lines 17-18, language was added to exempt commercial motor vehicles that are subject to federal motor carrier cargo securement standards implemented through state or federal law. CHAIR STEDMAN asked if there were questions. 1:30:40 PM SENATOR BISHOP stated support for the amendment. CHAIR STEDMAN asked the sponsors representative if he had any comments on the Senate CS. 1:31:05 PM MATT GRUENING, Staff, Representative Stutes, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, sponsor of HB 259, thanked Chair Stedman for hearing the bill and passing it along if it was the will of the committee. CHAIR STEDMAN quipped, For making it better? MR. GRUENING replied, Yes sir. 1:31:14 PM CHAIR STEDMAN removed his objection. Finding no further objection, he stated the Senate CS is adopted. CHAIR STEDMAN asked Mr. Gruening to remind the committee what version S does. MR. GRUENING explained that the bill updates the confined load statutes to include materials other than sand, dirt, rock, and gravel. It establishes respective class A and class B misdemeanor penalties if someone, with criminal negligence, fails to secure a load that results in the serious physical injury of another person or it results in $5,000 or more in property damage. The bill also provides sliding scale fines for other circumstances. A number of exemptions in the bill deal with municipal vehicles that are maintaining the roadway for traction, the natural accumulation of snow, dirt, ice, mud, and similar materials. The Senate CS adds an exemption for vehicles regulated under the federal commercial motor vehicle standards. 1:33:06 PM CHAIR STEDMAN found no questions and asked the will of the committee. 1:33:17 PM SENATOR EGAN moved to report SCS CSHB 259(TRA), version 30- LS0917\S, from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). 1:33:40 PM CHAIR STEDMAN found no objection and it was so ordered.