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Minutes for HB2420 - Committee on Transportation
Short Title
Allowing military surplus vehicles to register with the division of vehicles for road use.
Minutes Content for Thu, Jan 23, 2020
Staff briefed the Committee on the bill and answered questions.
Proponents
Vice-Chair Thimesch then introduced Representative Kristey Williams, sponsor of the bill. (Attachment 1) She said she had been approached with a problem related to licensing military vehicles in Kansas. She said HB2420 creates a new definition for "military surplus vehicle" indicating these vehicles are any vehicle, regardless of the weight or size, that is less than 35 years old and manufactured for use in the military and later offered for sale to civilians. Rep. Williams said Section 3 of this bill provides that these vehicles will be treated similarly as special interest vehicles or street rod vehicles.
The next proponent was David Demorrow. (Attachment 2) He said he was a former US Army certified master driver for nearly 22 years. He said most vehicles released were made prior to 2005 as the military does not release new vehicles - meaning that vehicles over 15 years old are not subject to many DOT and EPA restrictions and at 25 years old all vehicles are exempt from nearly all federal DOT and EPA rules. According to Mr. DeMorrow all vehicles being discussed have DOT approved lights, reflectors, glass, horns, etc. He said anything after 1983 has to meet DOT requirements anything older have been updated with new safety features prior to release. He stood for questions.
Written only testimony in support of HB2420 was submitted by:
Troy Palmer, President of Global Parts Auto Group, Inc. (Attachment 3)
Josh Watkins, Ret. USAF, Global Parts Auto Group, Inc. (Attachment 4)
Lee Ann Phelps, Vehicle Services Mgr., Div. of Vehicles, KDOR (Attachment 5)
Joseph Bremer, Citizen, Topeka, KS (Attachment 6)
Opponents
None
Neutral
The Chairman recognized Deborah Barnes.(Attachment 7) She said the League has some questions about how broadly the bill is currently written. Ms. Barnes said from a safety perspective The League is concerned that HB2420 does not address the question of a vehicle's weight, dimensions or its capacity to comply with safety requirements like other vehicles. She said The League asks the Committee's careful consideration of these concerns before it passes this bill. Ms. Barnes said some amendments may be necessary to address these concerns. She stood for questions.
The Chairman recognized Lindsey Douglas.(Attachment 8) According to Ms. Douglas, KDOT is requesting a technical language change. KDOT requests that certain language be stricken and replaced with language requiring these vehicles to meet current state vehicle size and weight laws. KDOT is requesting an amendment making the suggested language change to HB2420.
Written Only Neutral testimony by Jay Hall, KS Ass'n. of Counties (Attachment 9)
The Chairman asked if anyone else wished to speak to this bill. No one did so the Chairman closed the hearing on HB2420 and opened the hearing on HB2444.
