"An Act relating to commercial motor vehicle drivers and their employers and to railroad-highway grade crossings; and providing for an effective date."

Although federal law and commercial driver training already state that certain commercial vehicles must approach with flashers and stop at all rail crossings, Alaska law currently does not require this. State law must be brought into compliance with Federal requirements in order to avoid the loss of between $20,000,000 and $40,000,000 in federal highway monies. HB 124 will conform Alaska law to federal requirements.

The bill would prohibit an employer of a commercial vehicle driver from knowingly allowing, authorizing, or encouraging the driver to violate any federal, state, or municipal code or regulation relating to railroad-highway crossings. It also would require the court to disqualify a commercial motor vehicle driver for certain periods of time upon conviction of a federal, state or municipal code or regulation relating to railroad-highway crossings.

The administration has expressed support for this bill and the federal deadline for compliance has already passed; therefore, I urge prompt consideration of this bill in order that we do not lose federal Highway funds.

Last Updated: 03/03/2003

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