Legislative Update from Matt Roman, Director of Legislative Affairs

In just the first year of the new Legislative session, Legislators introduced nearly 2700 bills. Below is a partial list of bills that CTA is actively tracking that we would like to share with you:

AB 301 (Rodriguez) - Seeks to reduce the severe backlog in availability of commercial Driver’s License (CDL) skills test appointments at the DMV by requiring DMV to report on what steps are needed to reach a 7 day wait time and then implement that within one year of the report.  CTA has been actively engaging with the department and legislative leadership on moving this vital issue for the industry. 

AB 5 (Gonzalez Fletcher) – Inserts the State into private businesses hiring practices by mandating an employer to offer additional work to a part-time employee before hiring someone new, opening up new legal liabilities for companies.  CTA worked in partnership with the rest of the business community 

AB 302 (Gipson) – Allows South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) to develop regulations requiring zero and near-zero emission engines for all public agency fleets and commercial fleets that are contracted with public agencies.  In addition, gives SCAQMD the authority to regulate hours of operation for heavy duty trucks during commute hours.  CTA has been working with the author’s office on amendments that would exempt all commercial fleets except those who are currently regulated by SCAQMD’s fleet rules by conducting public services (i.e. street sweeper & trash collectors)

SB 53 (Hueso) – Will address the competitive disadvantage fleets operating natural gas fueled trucks face due to reduced payload.  In 2015 the federal highway bill allowed for a 2,000 lbs weight exemption for natural gas commercial vehicles on the national highway network, SB 53 will mirror that exemption on state and local routes.

SB 158 (Monning) – Mandates that in order to receive a Commercial Drivers License one would have to complete 30 hours of behind the wheel training regardless of ability to pass the skills test or not.  The measure currently makes no exemptions for programs like the Employer Testing Program that have been very successful at training new drivers.  CTA is continuing discussions with Sen. Monning’s office on the measure and as such has not taken a position on the bill at this moment.