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Minutes for HB2020 - Committee on Transportation
Short Title
Providing that the employment status of a driver of a motor carrier does not change as a result of the inclusion of safety improvements on a vehicle.
Minutes Content for Thu, Jan 26, 2023
Chairperson Francis opened the hearing on HB2020.
Chris Waggoner, Office of Revisor of Statutes, provided an overview of the bill and addressed questions from the committee. (Attachment 7)
Deann Williams, Executive Director, Kansas Motor Carriers Association testified as a proponent conferee stating that this legislation will elicit safety benefits for truck drivers and the motoring public by improving the safety and performance of motor carriers operating in Kansas by freeing trucking companies from having to choose between pursuing safety measures and facing an increased misclassification risk or not pursuing certain safety measures to avoid the misclassification risk. Ms. Williams responded to questions from committee members. (Attachment 8)
Prasad Sharma, Transportation Litigator, Scopelitis, Garvin, Light, Hanson, and Feary testified as a proponent to the bill stating that it is common-sense pro-safety legislation that removes an impediment to the adoption and use of safety technologies and practices by fleets that use independent contractors and that by doing so it will foster safer driving habits that will benefit the driver, the carrier, and the motoring public. Mr. Sharma responded to questions from committee members. (Attachment 9)
Colonel Herman T. Jones, Kansas Highway Patrol provided written testimony neutral to the bill. (Attachment 10)
Mike Hoeme, Director of Transportation, Kansas Corporation Commission provided written testimony neutral to the bill. (Attachment 11)
Matthew Hall, Political Coordinator, Teamsters Joint Council 56 provided written testimony neutral to the bill. (Attachment 12)
There being no further conferees, Chairperson Francis closed the hearing on HB2020.
The next scheduled meeting is January 31, 2023.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:38 PM.
