Approved: February 06, 2018 MINUTES of the HOUSE
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Approved: February 06, 2018 MINUTES OF THE HOUSE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Richard Proehl at 1:30 pm on Thursday, February 01, 2018, in room 582-N of the Capitol. All members were present except: Representative Jeff Pittman – Excused Representative Ponka-We Victors – Excused Substitute members: Representative Jason Probst, appointed substitute member to the committee Committee staff present: Aaron Klaassen, Legislative Research Department Betty Boaz, Kansas Legislative Committee Assistant Chris Waggoner, Office of Revisor of Statutes Jill Shelley, Legislative Research Department Scott Wells substituted for Adam Siebers Conferees appearing before the Committee: Representative Cindy Neighbor Mandy Roe, Director of Member Services, Kansas Cooperative Council Kent Selk, Driver Services CDL Manager, Kansas Division of Vehicles Colonel Mark Bruce, Superintendent, Kansas Highway Patrol Steve Kearney, Executive Vice President, representing the Kansas State Troopers Association Joel Skelley, Director, Division of Policy, Kansas Department of Transportation Others in attendance: See Attached List Chairman Proehl called the meeting to order and opened for Bill Introductions. Bill introductions Melissa Kershner, Director of Government Relations and Safety for the Kansas Motor Carriers Association, requested a bill be introduced to begin the process for allowing "platooning" on four-lane divided highways in Kansas. (rs182928) Representative Francis moved the proposed legislation, seconded by Representative Lusker. Motion carried. Ted Smith, Deputy General Counsel for Dept. of Revenue requested a bill be introduced to expand or permit the Division to work on electronic online renewals. (rs182905) Representative Lusker moved the proposed legislation, seconded by Representative Francis. Motion carried. Unless specifically noted, the individual remarks recorded herein have not been transcribed verbatim. Individual remarks as reported herein have not been submitted to the individuals appearing before the committee for editing or corrections. Page 1 CONTINUATION SHEET MINUTES of the Committee on Transportation at 1:30 pm on Thursday, February 01, 2018, in room 582-N of the Capitol. Representative Jacobs moved proposed legislation for a distinctive license plate. (rs182973) The motion was seconded by Representative Francis. Motion carried. Representative Rahjes moved proposed legislation for pilot-car registration. (rs182952) The motion was seconded by Representative Francis. Motion carried. There being no other bill introductions the Chairman opened the Hearing on HB2511. Hearing on: HB2511 — Making commercial driver's licenses renewable every five years. Staff briefed the Committee on the contents of HB2511. Chairman Proehl recognized Representative Cindy Neighbor as the first proponent. (Attachment 1) Representative Neighbor said the issue is the renewal timelines for CDL class A License with Hazardous Material endorsement. She said the background and fingerprint for the hazmat endorsement is good for five years and is a federal requirement while the license from the state is only four years. This means that they very seldom would be due at the same time. She concluded by saying this bill would simplify the process for the truck drivers. She stood for questions. The next proponent recognized was Mandy Roe.(Attachment 2) According to Ms Roe, HB2511 would save their members money over time by only having to renew the commercial driver's license and endorsements every five years instead of every four. She said this bill would help lower the regulatory cost of doing business. She stood for questions. The Chairman drew the Committee's attention to written testimony in support of this bill submitted by Shahira Stafford. (Attachment 3) There were no opponents to this bill so the Chairman asked if anyone wanted to present neutral testimony. Chairman Proehl recognized Kent Selk. (Attachment 4) He said the Division of Vehicles has a neutral position on this bill and that the bill is in accordance with Federal Law in regards to Commercial Driver License issuance. He said the Division of Vehicles does not have any concerns with moving the renewal date from four years to five years on a Commercial Driver License. He stood for questions. There were no other conferees so the Chairman closed the hearing on HB2511 and opened the hearing on HB2531. Hearing on: HB2531 — Designating segments of Kansas and United States highways to members of the Kansas highway patrol killed in the line of duty. Chairman Proehl recognized Colonel Mark Bruce. (Attachment 5) According to Colonel Bruce ten Unless specifically noted, the individual remarks recorded herein have not been transcribed verbatim. Individual remarks as reported herein have not been submitted to the individuals appearing before the committee for editing or corrections. Page 2 CONTINUATION SHEET MINUTES of the Committee on Transportation at 1:30 pm on Thursday, February 01, 2018, in room 582-N of the Capitol. members of the Highway Patrol sacrificed their lives serving the citizens of Kansas. He said the ten gentlemen had dedicated their lives to a greater cause than themselves so it was only proper that segments of the highways they were tasked to patrol be memorialized in their honor. He stood for questions. The next proponent was Steve Kearney. (Attachment 6) He was representing the Kansas State Troopers Association, an organization made up of more than 400 Kansas law enforcement officers. Their membership includes troopers, motor carrier inspectors and capital police officers, both active and retired. He said honoring those who have given their lives in the performance of their duties while protecting and serving the citizens of Kansas is a fitting and laudable action. He stood for questions There were no other proponents and no opponents. Chairman asked if there were any neutral testimonies. Joel Skelley said KDOT was providing neutral testimony. (Attachment 7) He said while KDOT finds HB2531 commendable they noted a couple of departures from previous legislation. He said these departures have not been allowed in the past and are not allowed under the provision of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devises, which governs the placement of signs on state highways in Kansas. He said there was concern that the departure from past practices might be difficult to resolve when future requests for memorial signs are made. He stood for questions. After all questions had been answered the Chairman closed the hearing on HB2531. ANNOUNCEMENTS The Chairman announced that the next meeting will be February 6, 2018. ADJOURN There being no further business before the Committee the meeting was adjourned. Unless specifically noted, the individual remarks recorded herein have not been transcribed verbatim. Individual remarks as reported herein have not been submitted to the individuals appearing before the committee for editing or corrections. Page 3.