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Minutes for SB167 - Committee on Transportation
Short Title
Classifying certain public utility motor vehicles as authorized emergency vehicles without a designation by county commissioners.
Minutes Content for Wed, Feb 24, 2021
Chairman Petersen opened the hearing on SB167.
Mr. Siebers reviewed the intent of the bill, which modifies the definition of "authorized emergency vehicles." He noted certain operational rights are allowed for persons operating an electric or natural gas public utility vehicle (Attachment 21).
Senator Corson, addressing the safety concerns for all emergency and utility workers, highlighted the importance of SB167 to include utility vehicles (Attachment 22). The bill would eliminate the need by various county commissioners to address this issue. Senator Corson indicated by enacting this legislation Kansas would be in line with twenty other states, including Missouri and Nebraska, that include utility vehicles in their "Move Over" laws. He noted this legislation is supported by a large number of utility companies.
David Galvin, speaking on behalf of John Garretson II, a business manager with International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, requested consideration of SB167. Mr. Galvin commented on the risks that emergency persons encounter when drivers are inattentive and come too close to a parked utility vehicle. Adding utility vehicles to the "emergency vehicle" classification would help to reduce the risks to utility workers (Attachment 23).
Written testimony as proponents include:
- Laura Lutz, Senior Manager, Government Affairs, Evergy (Attachment 24); and
- Deborah Barnes, Staff Attorney, Kansas League of Municipalities (Attachment 25).
Written testimony as neutral:
- Jay Hall, Kansas Association of Counties (Attachment 26).
The hearing on SB167 was closed.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:28 a.m. The next meeting is scheduled for February 25, 2021.
