Sponsor Statement for Committee Substitute for House Bill 343(TRA)

"An Act excluding certain motor vehicles from the definition of commercial motor vehicle"

There is apparent confusion among law enforcement officials as to under what circumstances an individual is required to possess a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Some Alaska statutes and regulations reference federal requirements, which exempt the need for a CDL in cases of moving construction equipment from one site to another—this is considered by them to be an incidental move. However other Alaska statutes require drivers of any equipment weighing over 26,000 pounds "used upon a land highway or vehicular way" to possess a commercial driver’s licenses.

Committee Substitute to House Bill 343(Tra) amends the definition of "commercial motor vehicle" in AS 28.40.100(a)(2) by expanding the exceptions to include "special mobile equipment"--construction vehicles--that are driven on roads in order to relocate the vehicle to a job site from the definition.

Including this exception clears up the confusion. The intent of the legislation is to allow individuals to move their construction equipment from one site to another without being required to have a commercial driver’s license. If an individual is involved in work on the road, a commercial driver’s license is still required.

HB343/SS/2/4/98

Sponsor Statement for HB 343

"An Act excluding certain motor vehicles from the definition of commercial motor vehicle"

There is apparent confusion among law enforcement officials as to under what circumstances an individual is required to possess a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Some Alaska statutes and regulations reference federal requirements, which exempt the need for a CDL in cases of moving construction equipment from one site to another—this is considered by them to be an incidental move. However other Alaska statutes require drivers of any equipment weighing over 26,000 pounds "used upon a land highway or vehicular way" to possess a commercial driver’s licenses.

House Bill 343 amends the definition of "commercial motor vehicle" in AS 28.40.100(a)(2) by expanding the exceptions to include construction vehicles that are driven on roads in order to relocate the vehicle to a job site from the definition.

Including this exception clears up the confusion. The intent of the legislation is to allow individuals to move their construction equipment from one site to another without being required to have a commercial driver’s license. If an individual is involved in work on the road, a commercial driver’s license is still required.

HB343/SS/1/28/98