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Panel discusses waiving CDL rules for public employees during declared emergencies and a new nondomiciled CDL fee
Summary
Staff proposed letting state and municipal employees operate heavy vehicles without a commercial driver's license during governor‑declared emergencies if the order permits it and the employee holds a valid regular operator’s license. The committee also considered a new one‑year nondomiciled CDL with a $40 fee. Members raised hazmat, training, and duration concerns and asked for department input.
A staff member told the committee the bill would permit a state or municipal employee to operate a heavy vehicle (over 26,000 pounds) without a commercial driver's license while a governor declares an emergency that explicitly authorizes such operation, provided the employee has a valid regular operator's license and is performing official emergency duties. The staff member said the change mirrors provisions in other states and referenced existing federal provisions the committee used for cross‑reference.
"This waives the CDL requirement" for certain public‑sector emergency operations, the staff member said, adding the text cross‑references the federal definition of emergency functions. Staff emphasized the provision does not remove other application requirements; it simply permits a waiver for public employees during emergencies.
Committee members pressed several operational questions. One member asked how the waiver would affect hazardous‑materials transport and whether additional training or safeguards (for HAZMAT) are needed. The staff member acknowledged the bill did not resolve all HAZMAT questions and recommended the Department of Motor Vehicles or relevant agencies provide technical feedback. Members also asked how long a waiver could remain in effect and how enforcement would work in prolonged post‑disaster recovery scenarios.
The committee also reviewed technical fee language for commercial driver's licenses and permits. Staff proposed adding a one‑year nondomiciled CDL with a $40 fee for foreign nationals authorized to work in the U.S. or for drivers from states whose federal CDL‑issuing authority is suspended; the staff clarified application standards remain unchanged.
No final action was taken. The committee asked staff to solicit input from the relevant departments on HAZMAT implications, training requirements, and plausible duration limits for emergency waivers before returning the section for further consideration.
