ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE  SENATE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE  May 3, 2005 1:40 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Senator Charlie Huggins, Chair Senator John Cowdery, Vice Chair Senator Gene Therriault MEMBERS ABSENT  Senator Albert Kookesh Senator Hollis French COMMITTEE CALENDAR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 268(JUD) "An Act relating to overtaking and passing certain stationary vehicles." MOVED CSHB 268(JUD) OUT OF COMMITTEE   PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION BILL: HB 268 SHORT TITLE: OVERTAKING/PASSING STATIONARY VEHICLES SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) RAMRAS 04/14/05 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 04/14/05 (H) TRA, JUD 04/19/05 (H) TRA AT 1:30 PM CAPITOL 17 04/19/05 (H) Moved Out of Committee 04/19/05 (H) MINUTE(TRA) 04/21/05 (H) TRA RPT 1DP 3NR 04/21/05 (H) DP: GATTO; 04/21/05 (H) NR: SALMON, THOMAS, ELKINS 04/25/05 (H) JUD AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 120 04/25/05 (H) Scheduled But Not Heard 04/26/05 (H) JUD AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 120 04/26/05 (H) Scheduled But Not Heard 04/27/05 (H) JUD AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 120 04/27/05 (H) Moved CSHB 268(JUD) Out of Committee 04/27/05 (H) MINUTE(JUD) 04/28/05 (H) JUD RPT CS(JUD) 3DP 4NR 04/28/05 (H) DP: GRUENBERG, ANDERSON, MCGUIRE; 04/28/05 (H) NR: KOTT, DAHLSTROM, COGHILL, GARA 04/29/05 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S) 04/29/05 (H) VERSION: CSHB 268(JUD) 05/01/05 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 05/01/05 (S) TRA, JUD 05/03/05 (H) TRA AT 1:30 PM CAPITOL 17 WITNESS REGISTER JIM POUND Staff to Representative Jay Ramras Alaska State Capitol Juneau, AK 99801-1182 POSITION STATEMENT: Commented on HB 268 for the sponsor. ACTION NARRATIVE CHAIR CHARLIE HUGGINS called the Senate Transportation Standing Committee meeting to order at 1:40:05 PM. Present were Senators Therriault, Cowdery, and Chair Huggins.   CSHB 268(JUD)-OVERTAKING/PASSING STATIONARY VEHICLES  1:40:05 PM CHAIR CHARLIE HUGGINS announced HB 268 to be the first and only order of business before the committee. JIM POUND, Staff to Representative Jay Ramras, explained that HB 268 adds tow truck drivers and animal control vehicles to the list of vehicles for which motorists must move into another lane when the stopped vehicle's caution lights are flashing. This is the same requirement that is applied to ambulance, police, and fire vehicles. He reiterated that this only applies when the vehicle is not moving. CHAIR HUGGINS asked if the flashing lights were the key. MR. POUND said that is correct. CHAIR HUGGINS asked if any emergency personnel expressed opposition during the House hearings. MR. POUND replied there was no opposition expressed. CHAIR HUGGINS said his only concern is that people are creatures of habit. He referenced himself and acknowledged that although he might slow down, he might neglect to move over into the other lane. MR. POUND responded he's sure the police have discretion. SENATOR GENE THERRIAULT asked what the fine would be if a driver were stopped for not moving into the next lane. MR. POUND replied if there is no injury it's a traffic violation. If there is injury, then the infraction is elevated to a misdemeanor. CHAIR HUGGINS noted the zero fiscal note and asked for the will of the committee. SENATOR JOHN COWDERY motioned to report CSHB 268(JUD) and attached fiscal notes from committee with individual recommendations. There being no objection, it was so ordered. CHAIR HUGGINS adjourned the meeting at 1:46:59 PM.