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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, Mar 24, 2021
Chairperson Petersen opened the hearing on HB 2295 and requested a briefing from Assistant Revisor Adam Siebers. Mr. Siebers reviewed the exemption for municipal motor grader vehicles from the Kansas Uniform Commercial Drivers' License Act requirements (Attachment1).
Deborah Barnes, a proponent of HB 2295, explained the importance of giving cities more flexibility in managing resources when dealing with regular maintenance and emergency situations. She stated the bill would help small municipalities with few employees have the freedom for the employees without a CDL to operate motor graders (Attachment 2).
Jay Hall, General Counsel, speaking by way of WebEx, said the Kansas Association of Counties supports the intent of HB 2295 in eliminating the CDL requirement for motor grader operators (Attachment 3). He explained the skills necessary for operating a motor grader are enough different from other heavy equipment that drivers must be specifically trained for motor graders to be proficient in their work. He noted that a CDL license is not directly relevant to motor grader operators and the cost of training would be lower.
By way of WebEx, Stan McEvoy, Decatur County Commissioner, stated the CDL requirement added expense for hiring and keeping employees, placing unnecessary requirements and additional demands on county budgets. Many people will not apply for work knowing a CDL license is required to operate a motor grader (Attachment 4).
Ernie Sheets, a road and bridge supervisor in Decatur County, also spoke via WebEx indicating the existing regulations need to be revised. He explained the CDL test is structured toward semi-trucks and does not apply to heavy equipment vehicles. He expressed hope that more potential prospects would look for employment knowing the CDL license is not required (Attachment 5).
Kent Selk answered questions by stating a class B driver's license is not required for operating heavy equipment, and funding is not jeopardized if this bill is passed.
Written-only proponent testimony was submitted as follows:
- Representative Adam Smith, District 120 (Attachment 6);
- Keith Browning, Kansas Association of Counties (Attachment 7); and
- Aggregate testimony from nine county officials (Attachment 8).
The hearing on HB 2295 was closed.
