Comité Public Safety del Senado, 2 de marzo de 2026

Transcripción

188 turnos. Seleccione un tiempo para reproducir ese momento del video.

1. 0:15:40

   Committee to order. If I could have all my committee members please take their seats.

2. 0:15:49

   Thank you.

3. 0:15:52

   Yeah. About to walk in. Forgot my license.

4. 0:15:54

   After all that time in line. All right, I'm going to, uh, begin, uh, with a prayer if you all bow your heads with me. Lord, thank you for this beautiful day. Thank you for this great weekend. We just ask that during, uh, these busy days ahead that you just give us your grace and your wisdom, your discernment. And Lord, we ask all these things in your most holy name. Amen.

5. 0:16:12

   Amen.

6. 0:16:13

   All right, we have got, uh, five bills on the calendar today. Uh, we're gonna begin with our very own, uh, Majority Caucus Chairman, Senator Shawn Still. Uh, for those that are here who wanna sign up on a bill, you'll see that those sign-up sheets are right there in front of you. Please fill out all parts of those because we're gonna pick 'em up in just a moment. So again, if you want to speak on a bill, please fill those up in the next, uh, few moments, uh, as we begin testimony, uh, beginning with Senate Bill 570. And I just wanna commend, uh, Senator Still for his amazing leadership on this issue and how much of a difference it makes to people throughout our state.

7. 0:16:50

   Senator, I'll turn it to you.

8. 0:16:53

   Thank you, Chairman. Thank you, Committee. Good to see you all. Um, for some of you, it's the second or third time already today, so... Um, Senate Bill 570.

9. 0:17:08

   When we think about all the great work that's been done in our state in human trafficking prevention, um, there is another box needing to be checked, and that is mandatory frontline worker training for our hotel industry, uh, short-term rentals. And we wanna make sure that we're partnering with our own CJCC on utilizing their curriculum in working with them on best practices for training and reporting, uh, this horrendous crime, ensuring that we are able to have our frontline workers to, as quickly as possible, identify it, report it, um, and put an end to it as quickly as, as possible.

10. 0:17:57

    Um, this bill has been vetted for months with the help of all the various, uh, hotel groups and short-term rental groups. Uh, it has tremendous support, uh, from the industry. I know that many of them, uh, are here today to, uh, speak in favor of the bill. Uh, happy to answer any questions, and I know some folks are here, and I know we have a full docket, so out of respect to the committee, um, happy to answer questions or just go to our, our guests that are here.

11. 0:18:28

    Uh, thank you. I, I believe that this mandatory, uh, training and more awareness is going to ultimately save lives. Are there questions from the committee members for the bill's author?

12. 0:18:40

    Okay, seeing none, I've got a couple people signed up to speak. Uh, first, Mr. John Gerrard, why don't you come to the podium? Oh, okay, I take that back. It's gonna be Chris Harbin, my favorite constituent.

13. 0:18:51

    Well, thank you, Mr., Mr. Chairman, and, uh, I will say you are my favorite neighbor. So it's, uh, it's always a pleasure to be here. My name is Chris Harbin, President and CEO of the Georgia Hotel and Lodging Association. Uh, I'm here to speak in strong support of Senate Bill 570, and I wanna thank... Uh, I'm here speaking on behalf of our friends at the American Hotel and Lodging Association, the Asian American Hotel Owners Association, and the Georgia Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus, who are all out there behind me. Uh, but the, in the interest of brevity and the fact that you have so many bills on the docket today, I wanted to be quick.

14. 0:19:21

    Uh, we've been working with, uh, uh, Senator Still for, for months, as he alluded to, and we feel that he has truly perfected this language. And we take it on as a duty of ours to ensure that all of our employees are trained in human trafficking prevention. One life saved is worth the investment. One victim out of shackles is worth the time. And we feel that before the World Cup comes here in June, that we wanna tell the world that there is no room for trafficking here in the state of Georgia. So with that, Mr. Chairman, I'm happy to stand for questions, or, um, if not, I'd ask for this committee's favorable consideration.

15. 0:19:51

    Uh, do we have any questions for Mr. Harbin, who I have to clarify is, uh, shares my favorite constituent with, uh, Mr. Jeff Hamlin in the back of the room?

16. 0:20:01

    Questions, uh, for Mr. Harbin or the, or the associations who have all come together to do this great work with Senator Still? Seeing none, thank you.

17. 0:20:08

    Thank you.

18. 0:20:09

    All right. Uh, now, Senator Still, I believe we're gonna add a tiny amendment in order to have some additional representation. Is that accurate?

19. 0:20:18

    It is, Mr. Chairman. On lines 25 and 37, after the word association, so it would read, "With the Georgia Hotel and Lodging Association," comma, and it would be, uh, the same language at 25 and 37, "comma, and representatives of short-term rental hosting platforms." So you think about your short-term, long-term, uh, you know, Airbnb, um, vacation rental by owner, anything like that, um, it would just make sure to include them as well.

20. 0:20:52

    Makes perfect sense. Okay. Before we, uh, begin the journey of doing a motion, then amending the bill, are there any questions, comments from the committee members? Seeing none, what is the pleasure of the committee?

21. 0:21:03

    So moved.

22. 0:21:04

    Motion due pass from Senator Beard and second from Senator Payne. Uh, now I'm gonna open it up to amendment. Uh, Senator Halpern, would you like to make an amendment? You sure? That would say on lines 25 and 37- Yes ... after association- I include that ... comma, and representatives of short-term rental hosting platforms? Yes. Uh, that is a excellent amendment. Thank you. And, and Senator Wicks, did you wanna make a second to that amendment?

23. 0:21:28

    Sure.

24. 0:21:28

    That, that's... Thank you so much for your help. Any further discussions about the amendment? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say aye.

25. 0:21:33

    Aye.

26. 0:21:34

    All right, we have a new committee substitute as amended. Uh, any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor of the bill will vote, uh, say aye.

27. 0:21:42

    Aye.

28. 0:21:42

    All opposed, no. Passes unanimously. Great job. Stay seated right where you're at, Senator, and we're gonna get your next bill up right away. All right. So folks, I can dick, get to next in your folders. You're going to see another great, uh, bill, which should be Senate Bill 587. All right, Senator Still, you want to, uh, start us out here in LC 60-0286?

29. 0:22:08

    Thank you, Chairman. So

30. 0:22:13

    the second greatest sin that, um, that humans can do is, uh, sinning against another human. Second only to that is, uh, to an animal. And, um, in my family, our dogs are members of the family, and I think for many folks that's the case. This bill says that if you have been convicted of cruelty to an animal, you are no longer eligible to adopt an animal in the future.

31. 0:22:43

    Uh, it allows our dear friends at the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council, subject to appropriations, to maintain a database upon conviction, not, not accused of, uh, but, but strictly by that, uh, criteria, but it would be a statewide publicly searchable, uh, animal cruelty database. And, uh, we have worked with the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council in the drafting of this bill. Um, I believe, uh, our dear friend Jessica Rock is, uh, here from PAC to discuss it from a legal perspective and what the mechanism of that is and what the criminal code, uh, of that is.

32. 0:23:18

    And, and all this, uh, falls under Section 16-12-4 of the Animal Cruelty Code, and, uh, and she is here to talk about it. Uh, happy to take any questions.

33. 0:23:28

    Thank you, Senator. And, uh, isn't it true that, uh, people that, uh, do this type of abuse to animals typically escalate that to humans, or it is cyclical both ways, and by doing this, we're hopefully identifying these folks, uh, and stopping them, uh, in their tracks?

34. 0:23:45

    Amen. Yes, sir.

35. 0:23:46

    Thank you. Questions from the committee members to the bill's author? Seeing none, uh, Ms. Jessica Rock, you wanna come down to the podium here. Uh, no stranger to our committee at the outstanding work she has done, uh, for PAC, but specifically this issue alone. So, uh, please, uh, fulfill the, the wisdom that you always bring to this committee.

36. 0:24:05

    Thank you, Chairman. Uh, this is my favorite committee, so thank you as always for having me. Uh, uh, you know, as the senator mentioned, um, this bill is essentially to establish an a- an animal abuse registry for those who commit harm to animals. Uh, Florida has passed one recently. Tennessee has also, um, had one passed for quite some time. And I do appreciate, uh, the senator bringing this bill to you all. I think it is an important bill. Um, I think it'll be very helpful, not just for people who want to know if they, uh, have somebody that they're i- in their presence who's on this registry, but in addition to that, uh, animal shelters, I think, could, could make a lot of use out of this with all the problems that we have with people going and re-adopting animals who have histories of animal abuse.

37. 0:24:52

    Um, w- we will continue to work on this bill with legislative council and the senator to be sure that, um, it, it has everything that it needs. Um, but other than that, we are in favor of the bill.

38. 0:25:05

    Thank you. Questions for Jessica? Seeing none.

39. 0:25:10

    Thank you.

40. 0:25:11

    What is the will of the committee? Pass. Oh. I'm sorry, I'm gonna go ladies first this time. It's all right. All right. Senator Halpern, uh, a motion do pass. I got a second- Second ... from Senator Bearden. Any further discussion? Seeing none, uh, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. All opposed, please say no. Passes unanimously. Again, congratulations. Best of luck in the rules committee, Senator Still.

41. 0:25:33

    Woof.

42. 0:25:35

    There will likely be some, some howling. All right.

43. 0:25:38

    Thank you.

44. 0:25:39

    Uh, he is not here right now because he is in another committee, but I'm gonna go ahead and bring up, um, Senator Rick Williams' bill next, which, uh, you will see is a very simple bill, uh, 586. Uh, and this bill, uh, I will present on his behalf, may be the simplest one you're going to hear, which simply just says the Commissioner of Public Safety, which is the c- also the Colonel of the State Patrol, uh, is authorized to issue commendations for heroism for any public safety animal, I thought that went very well with our last one, uh, that's injured or killed in the line of duty.

45. 0:26:11

    Are there questions of Senate Bill 586? Seeing none, what's the will of the committee?

46. 0:26:18

    Motion do pass.

47. 0:26:19

    Motion do pass from Senator Dickerson. I got a second from Senator Payne. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Uh, all opposed? Passes unanimously. Best of luck, Senator Williams, in the rules committee. All right, we're moving along. Okay, Senator Strickland is gonna be a moment, so we are going to go to Senator Dickerson, to your bill. Uh, that is gonna be Senate Bill 442. And if you can see in your folders, there is a substitute to this bill.

48. 0:26:49

    I'll make sure everybody's got the right one. It should be LC 63-0132S. And, uh, Senator Dickerson, if you wanna stay right in your seat, you can present that bill from there if you like.

49. 0:27:00

    Perfect. Thank you so much, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, members of the committee. This should be a pretty, um, pretty simple bill all the way around. Um, this revolves around a commercial driver's license here in the United States and, and here in Georgia. Um, and when we say commercial driver's license, that, that encompasses a lot of different things, but most commonly it's going to represent, uh, tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, uh, the large trucks that you see on the road. So this is, um, as we've all seen over the last couple years, we've had a lot of accidents here, uh, in our state and surrounding states that have involved, um, individuals of these commercial driver, uh, commercial vehicles that couldn't read English, couldn't write English, and a lot of times couldn't even operate the vehicle.

50. 0:27:37

    So, um, the commercial driver's license are, it's, um, it's a, it's a federal program, and it's, uh, each state handles it slightly differently, but for the most part, um, they have to abide by the same testing requirements. So there was a couple things for this one that came up straight forward, so this revolves around, uh, non-citizens, and so there's two parts to this. The first part says if you're a non-citizen and you get a, uh, commercial driver's license h- issued here in the state of Georgia, that driver's licenses will now expire either when your visa expires or within five years, whichever one is, is sooner.

51. 0:28:09

    That's the first part. Uh, the second part says that if you are a non-citizen and you transfer your commercial driver's license from another state to the state of Georgia, that you'll have to retake the written test, which is the skills test, and the driving test again, just where we can verify that, that you can read English, write English, and you can in fact operate a tractor-trailer and commercial driver's license. So be, uh... Mr. Chairman, be happy to take any questions from anybody if they have it. Um-

52. 0:28:33

    Uh, Senator, isn't it true that you have a great deal of experience in this subject matter?

53. 0:28:36

    Uh, that is true, sir. I have 32 years of experience in transportation, specifically in this industry.

54. 0:28:41

    Thank you for your hard work on this bill, and I wanna commend you also for the work with the Department of Driver Services and the other interested parties. Uh, questions to committee members? I see one from Senator Bearden.

55. 0:28:52

    Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, when they take the test, so that test, then, is that an English only being CDL?

56. 0:28:59

    It is.

57. 0:29:00

    Okay. And, um,

58. 0:29:05

    I'm gonna hold for just a minute-

59. 0:29:06

    Okay

60. 0:29:06

    ... just in case there's other questions. I'm-

61. 0:29:07

    No. Uh-huh.

62. 0:29:08

    All right

63. 0:29:08

    ... looking at this one.

64. 0:29:09

    Other questions from the committee members? Senator Halpern.

65. 0:29:13

    S- can you explain to me, please, just 'cause I don't know, and then I might have a follow-up.

66. 0:29:19

    Yeah.

67. 0:29:20

    What is the current process if you are a non-citizen when your license expires? So me, my regular driver's license-

68. 0:29:30

    Mm-hmm

69. 0:29:30

    ... which is different than C- DL, it expires, I just go and I get a new license.

70. 0:29:35

    Okay.

71. 0:29:36

    Um, is that the same process for the CDL license, or does everybody at the expiration have to retake the test and kind of-

72. 0:29:44

    No

73. 0:29:44

    ... requalify again to-

74. 0:29:46

    No

75. 0:29:46

    ... get the license?

76. 0:29:47

    Great question. Um, and thank you so much for that. So a commercial driver's license is slightly differently. So, um, when it comes to commercial driver's license, the only thing that you have to retake, uh, is for your HAZMAT endorsements. So you don't have to take a new written test or driving test specifically for the state of Georgia whenever you renew your commercial driver's license.

77. 0:30:07

    Okay. Other questions? Uh, Senator Bearden, you came up with one in the interim here?

78. 0:30:13

    Yeah. Yeah, so if we're talking on line 29, non-citizen, that refers back to line 16 through 21. So they're non-citizen, but they are here legally. Correct?

79. 0:30:23

    You are correct.

80. 0:30:23

    Okay.

81. 0:30:24

    I think that's why they're tying it-

82. 0:30:25

    Yeah

83. 0:30:26

    ... to the visa extension. So my understanding, uh, based on the conversations we have had with the bill's author and driver services, let's say someone's visa ends in three years from now, but they'd normally have a five-year CDL. Well, they won't. It'll actually end on three years. They would have to come back and show an extended visa in order to then get their CDL extended.

84. 0:30:44

    Sure.

85. 0:30:45

    Mm-hmm.

86. 0:30:45

    Perfect.

87. 0:30:46

    All right. Uh, got another question from Senator Halpern. We're going back and forth.

88. 0:30:49

    So, so... I know, sorry. So-

89. 0:30:50

    No, you're perfect. I don't wanna get too deep in this real quick-

90. 0:30:52

    No, no, no, no

91. 0:30:52

    ... but I figured you guys would have some questions.

92. 0:30:54

    Well, so th- my, my follow-up was gonna be, but the bill does then require the non-citizens to retake both that knowledge and skills test upon renewal, correct?

93. 0:31:03

    Only, uh, only... For the way, for the, um, for when it comes to the substitute language that we did, it's only based upon when they transfer it, uh, from the s- from a different state to the state of Georgia.

94. 0:31:14

    State. Okay.

95. 0:31:14

    So now they don't have to retake it at renewal. It's only when they transfer their license from another state to the state of Georgia.

96. 0:31:19

    Okay. Thank you.

97. 0:31:20

    Excellent. Other questions, uh, for the bill's author? S-

98. 0:31:26

    I was just gonna mention that Senator Halpern said that-

99. 0:31:28

    You know, since she's going back and forth.

100. 0:31:29

     Yeah.

101. 0:31:29

     No, I'm just... Okay. Nice. All right. I don't see any. Nobody has signed up to speak for or against this bill, uh, in the audience, so what is the will of the committee?

102. 0:31:38

     Motion to pass.

103. 0:31:39

     Motion to pass from Senator Payne. Do I have a second? Second from Senator Bearden. Any further discussion from the committee members? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say, "Aye."

104. 0:31:48

     Aye.

105. 0:31:48

     All opposed, please say, "No." Passes unanimously.

106. 0:31:51

     Thank you.

107. 0:31:51

     Best of luck in the Senate Rules Committee to you.

108. 0:31:54

     Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

109. 0:31:54

     Okay, we've got one bill left, uh, for Senator Strickland. And, uh, in order to help him out, I'm gonna present his bill for him as well. Uh, this is Senate Bill 569, LC39 4969, that is in your folders. What this bill allows, and this is, this is a difference, and I spent a lot of time reaching out to all my brethren, uh, in the, uh, public safety and first res- responder community, uh, is allowing tow trucks to have red lights. Uh, now this is a big deviation from the past for somebody who's...

110. 0:32:27

     Well, my family's been doing it for over 100 years. So this is a change. But after a discussion, we seem to really have great unity on this topic. Uh, and for a tow truck, the, the challenges we face, uh, for those of us that might get on the interstate or a major intersection, getting a tow truck to that scene, uh, in order to move that vehicle off the road is, A, a public safety issue. I mean, while they're there, our police officers, our firefighters, our EMTs, et cetera, are in danger while they're around that. The quicker we can get that vehicle off the road and clear the scene, that's obviously first and foremost.

111. 0:33:00

     But secondarily, it's, it's clearing traffic and all the other things that we want to do. Uh, this will still be governed, uh, the way red lights are governed today. So there's an application process that goes through, uh, the Department of Transportation. Ultimately, the Commissioner of Public Safety can both authorize, but they can also revoke that if someone, uh, does something, um, wrong, which, uh, you know, over the time, uh, the Colonel does, uh, have to cite certain people. But I think in general, uh, this is a well-balanced bill. I wanna thank, uh, those folks who are here from the industry and Senator Strickland for, uh, bringing it forward.

112. 0:33:35

     Are there questions from the committee members? I got a question from Senator Bearden.

113. 0:33:39

     It's more of a statement. I see what you're doing. Had great tow truck operators back in law enforcement doing amazing stuff. But I will have to say I got concerned about putting emergency red lights on a tow truck.

114. 0:33:54

     I, I, I had that same concern till I talked to our brethren.

115. 0:33:57

     Yeah.

116. 0:33:58

     I see in the back of the room, I see, uh, Mike and Terry back there from the Georgia Sheriff's Association. Uh, you're not signed up, but would you like to say anything on behalf of this bill or...

117. 0:34:07

     Do we need to sign up, sir?

118. 0:34:09

     Uh, well, we do, typically do here, but for now I'm just gonna let you come to the microphone because you're-

119. 0:34:13

     I'm not on the list ahead of

120. 0:34:13

     ... 'cause you're my friend

121. 0:34:14

     Uh, your, your comments

122. 0:34:16

     Would you come to the microphone and tell us who you are?

123. 0:34:17

     We're, Terry Norris with the Georgia Sheriff's Association. Um, we don't have much to add to this. Uh, your comments are relevant in terms of, of the need to get people to the scene, to clear the scene, much like we did with the HERO units and the CHAMPS units. So, that is the case. Um, the only concern, or not even a concern, question is, who are we talking about? Because there are a lot of, uh, people that make a living towing vehicles that may or may not meet these requirements.

124. 0:34:49

     And making sure the right people have the right emergency equipment, uh, is pretty vital for everyone, I think. So, I, I think we'll watch the bill, and if there's a way to improve the bill and, and make sure that, uh, those things are considered, then I think sheriffs will be fine with it.

125. 0:35:06

     Thanks, Terry. And I know that, uh, Senator Strickland and I will be happy to work with you on that as well.

126. 0:35:10

     Well, yes, sir. Thank you.

127. 0:35:12

     Yep. All right.

128. 0:35:13

     Last question.

129. 0:35:14

     Uh, I've got one more question. Now, usually Senator Halpern goes next.

130. 0:35:17

     Oh, it's okay.

131. 0:35:17

     But you go ahead.

132. 0:35:18

     You got one?

133. 0:35:18

     No, no, go ahead.

134. 0:35:22

     I would feel better if it was being used for that type of law enforcement function, going to an acci- of a, for, going to a crash on the interstate that the police are working. I don't know if we could do that, but th- that would make me feel better if we know that they're using these emergency red lights, which are usually reserved for ambulance and fire trucks, that it is a, uh, law enforcement type-

135. 0:35:49

     Well-

136. 0:35:49

     ... mission they're going with.

137. 0:35:51

     Good news. Uh-

138. 0:35:52

     Yeah

139. 0:35:52

     ... the bill's author has now arrived. Come on down, uh, Senator Strickland. I've actually pre- presented your bill. I've presented your bill for you. Uh, and we just heard from Terry Norris with the sheriffs.

140. 0:36:01

     Better to have everybody gathering here.

141. 0:36:03

     Uh, well, we got a great question right now from Senator Bearden. Uh, so you're, you're on the hot seat.

142. 0:36:08

     But, a- as we was, uh, discussing with the sitting chairman of this bill, um, I do have concerns about red lights being on tow trucks. And I just brought up the question, is there room to work on this bill to those red lights can only be used on a, uh, tow truck when it's en route to a scene of an accident upon the law enforcement request, basically?

143. 0:36:32

     Yes. So can I back up and just give a little bit of context?

144. 0:36:35

     You can go ahead and start from the beginning, Senator.

145. 0:36:37

     Um, because I want to directly answer that question. So the issue we have is two years ago, we passed legislation that confirmed that, well, that made wrecker trucks, not emergency vehicles. We also confirmed that the use of amber lights can still occur for a wrecker truck-

146. 0:36:55

     Mm-hmm

147. 0:36:55

     ... but not when they're going to the scene. And so we have an issue now where under federal law, wreckers are deemed to be federal vehicles. Under state law, they currently are not. And you have issues occurring right now on the interstates, in particular, certain parts of our areas, such as where I live, where you have a program called the TRIP program. I'm not sure if y'all talked about this. But the TRIP program is a federally funded program through GDOT, where if someone applies for and is accepted into this program as a wrecker company, they are incentivized.

148. 0:37:26

     They get extra money if they arrive at a scene and clear an accident within a particular period of time. The whole goal of this is, in particular, looking at these hot button, hot, hotbed areas of traffic, such as Henry County. When there's a wreck out there, the way people a lot of times die in these wrecks is because of secondary, um, accidents.

149. 0:37:45

     Mm-hmm.

150. 0:37:46

     In addition to that, it's very annoying to sit in traffic. And so we have a federal program that allows us, through GDOT, who implements it, to incentivize trucks to go out there and get things cleared in a certain period of time. To be a part of the TRIP program, not everybody does it, because you have to have a lot of equipment, a lot of insurance. It's very specialized. Cobb County, Bartow County, Fulton County, Henry, all on these interstate corridors, Gwinnett, that's where you're gonna see these companies that are trying to clear these, these wrecks. The problem we have under the law right now, though, is there's no way for a wrecker to get to an accident scene without breaking the law.

151. 0:38:20

     They can't get there. They can't get around traffic, because they can't use amber lights to do so. It's illegal. They can't do anything unless they have a, I guess, a police escort. But then all of a sudden, what happens, too, to, it's also really important to note, an accident becomes a TRIP scene when an officer or a hero person on scene says, "Hey, this is bad enough. We gotta get somebody out here quickly to get this tr- uh, trailer pulled off the road," or whatever it is. And so it's then TRIPs. And then these wrecker companies, which are trained to do this, are on call 24/7, and they respond very quickly.

152. 0:38:51

     The only other alternative I see is to require a police escort. Nobody wants to do that and take officers off the road to go get a wrecker. And everybody's out there sitting, waiting for a scene to be cleared. So the way I drew the bill, under current law, the commissioner of the Department of Public Safety can issue red light permits. The problem is it's very broad. And so it doesn't say, um, who necessarily gets them. There's, uh, so much discretion there that I think you see a hesitancy for a reason to issue red light permits, because you don't want wrecker companies every corner of our state operating like ambulances running to scenes.

153. 0:39:26

     And so what I did with this bill is I made it where only those wrecker companies that are accepted as part of the TRIP program, so they have oversight from GDOT and the feds as part of this program, or if they're under a contract with the local government to provide wrecker services. Henry County, for example-

154. 0:39:44

     I'm sorry

155. 0:39:44

     ... develops interstate into zones. And so law enforcement, if they're under a contract with the county, will actually know who to call to clear a scene as well. And so you would have anybody that is currently under supervision of a county government or a city government, if cities do this, to clear scenes or part of the TRIP program, those people could qualify to get the revolving light, red light permits from the commissioner. The commissioner, though, um, in this shall issue the permits to one of those companies if they meet the training requirements that the commissioner would then set up So you have the protection of anybody that would get these permits has to be someone that is part of this program, who is being paid to get there within a certain period of time.

156. 0:40:28

     Then is gonna have training from the commissioner, or they're gonna be subject to a contract with local government where they're, where they're out there clearing the scene. And to directly answer your question, it's permits. It's little stickers that are given.

157. 0:40:40

     Mm-hmm.

158. 0:40:40

     And so I see nothing under the, the way the law is written that would prevent the commissioner from deciding which vehicles get to use those stickers.

159. 0:40:48

     Okay. Appreciate the d- uh, the explanation on that. Especially on the trip around.

160. 0:40:52

     It's a-

161. 0:40:52

     I'm not familiar with it, so.

162. 0:40:54

     And I'll be honest, I get the knee-jerk reaction is red lights on wrecker trucks. I had the same one.

163. 0:40:59

     Yeah.

164. 0:40:59

     The problem is this is something that half the states in the country already have these type of lights on wreckers. I'm trying to draw it in a way where we can make sure just the folks who are trained, who are responding to these emergency calls, getting our state clear, is the only ones that can get them. And this is something I worked with the colonel directly on to make sure he was okay with this language, because currently he could do this. That's true. But I understand why there's a hesitancy, because it's way too open like it is.

165. 0:41:25

     Yeah.

166. 0:41:25

     This is meant to actually tighten that up, though it does take some discretion away. It says he shall issue it to these individuals if they meet the training requirements that he has.

167. 0:41:34

     All right. Thank you. Other questions for the bill's author? Seeing none, what's the pleasure of the committee?

168. 0:41:40

     Move to pass.

169. 0:41:41

     Move to pass from Senator Payne. Second from Senator Robertson.

170. 0:41:45

     Second.

171. 0:41:45

     Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say aye.

172. 0:41:48

     Aye.

173. 0:41:48

     Aye.

174. 0:41:48

     All opposed, please say no. Passes unanimously.

175. 0:41:51

     Thank you.

176. 0:41:51

     Uh, good timing, and the cavalry just arrived for you as well, so.

177. 0:41:54

     Yes.

178. 0:41:54

     It's a long walk.

179. 0:41:55

     It's a long walk. Well, you came from there, too. I beat you here.

180. 0:41:56

     Yeah.

181. 0:41:57

     I ran.

182. 0:41:58

     Very good.

183. 0:41:58

     Well, it's 'cause you were running from people. I was just wandering around.

184. 0:42:01

     I didn't want the bill, I didn't want it to come back again, so I wanna get it done.

185. 0:42:04

     All right, so, uh, thank you, uh, members for being here. Uh, that is the last bill on the calendar. We are not going to be meeting on Wednesday. Uh, we will likely be in session anyway. Uh, so, uh, this will be the last meeting prior to crossover day. Uh, we do have, uh, quite a lot of House bills that we are sifting through right now. Uh, if you have any particular interest for or against, please come talk to me ahead of time, but we'll be going through those and assembling those appropriately, uh, as we schedule our meetings post crossover day. Uh, if there's no more business before this committee, we are hereby adjourned.

186. 0:42:37

     Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

187. 0:42:38

     Thank you.

188. 0:42:45

     Good job.