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Minutes for HB2295 - Committee on Transportation
Short Title
Exempting municipal motor grader vehicle operators from Kansas uniform commercial drivers' license act requirements.
Minutes Content for Wed, Feb 17, 2021
The Revisor staff briefed the Committee on this bill. (Attachment 8)
Written only testimony was submitted by Representative Adam Smith. (Attachment 9)
The first proponent was Stan McEvoy. (Attachment 10) According to Mr. McEvoy the Decatur County Commissioners agree that this is an unnecessary requirement that adds an additional burden to hiring and keeping employees. In addition it is an added expense to the county. He said they believe this bill would be a positive change for all counties but especially for smaller counties.
The Chairman recognized Wendi Stark as the next proponent. (Attachment 11) She said this bill would allow municipal and county employees the ability to operate motor grader vehicles providing city and county services with more flexibility. She said in many smaller communities across Kansas city employees have limited staff and those employees serve in multiple roles.
Jay Hall was the next proponent. (Attachment 12) According to Mr. Hall, CDL's are a necessary part of the regulatory process for driver's licenses. Generally vehicles over a certain weight limit require a CDL in order to operate as the CDL ensures the appropriate training has taken place for the driver to safely operate the vehicle. CDL training focuses primarily on how to drive a semitrailer or operate other large vehicles at highway speed. He said as a result the skills and knowledge necessary for a motor grader are not taught. Mr. Hall said counties looking for motor grader operators are competing with trucking companies for licensed CDL drivers.
The Chairman recognized Ernie Sheets as the next proponent. (Attachment 13) According to Mr. Sheets the CDL written and driving test is structured toward semi- trucks but has nothing to do with heavy equipment. He said there are several pieces of equipment that exceed the 26,000 pound rule such as farm tractors, scrapers and front-end loaders. Mr. Sheets said all their motor grader operators go through a training period by experienced operators prior to being allowed to operate in traffic areas.
Written testimony in support of HB2295 was submitted by:
Phillips County Commissioner Max Dibble (Attachment 14)
Keith Browning, Local Road Engineer Program (Attachment 15)
Joseph Herskowitz,Sheridan County Road and Bridge Supervisor (Attachment 16)
Brendan J. MacKay, Ellis County Public Works Director (Attachment 17)
Dave Flemming, Phillips County Road and Bridge Supervisor (Attachment 18)
Paul Lorenzen/Nathan Hales, Logan County Road Dept. (Attachment 19)
Bo French, Osborne County Road and Bridge (Attachment 20)
Mark Loop, supervisor, Rawlins County Road and Bridge (Attachment 21)
Rod Roeder, Sherman County Public Works (Attachment 22)
Clair Schrock, Thomas County Road Supervisor (Attachment 23)
Wayne G. Pfeifer, Graham County Road Supervisor (Attachment 24)
Written neutral testimony was submitted by Kent Selk, Kansas Department of Revenue (Attachment 25)
The Chairman asked if there were any other proponents, opponents or neutrals who would like to speak. There were none so the Chairman closed the hearing on HB2295.
Announcements
Chairman Proehl announced that the next Committee meeting will be on February 18th and the Committee will have Final Action on HB2201 and HB2296.
Adjournment
There being no further business before the Committee the meeting was adjourned.
