6/11/03 - The governor has signed legislation to tighten restrictions on commercial drivers and those who employ them.
HB124 would make it illegal for an employer of a commercial driver to encourage their drivers to violate federal, state or local laws regarding railroad crossings. The law also makes it a penalty for the driver to violate the rules. It calls for the suspension of those drivers’ licenses.

5/20/03 - The Legislature has approved HB124, which would make it illegal for employers of commercial drivers to encourage their drivers to violate federal, state or local laws regarding railroad crossings. The bill also calls for the suspension of those drivers’ licenses.
A House-Senate conference committee worked out differences between versions of the bill, and it has been sent to the governor.

5/6/03 - The House and Senate are wrangling over differences between their two versions of HB124, which would make it illegal for an employer of a commercial driver to encourage their drivers to violate federal, state or local laws regarding railroad crossings. The law also calls for the suspension of those drivers’ licenses.
After the bill passed the House and moved to the Senate, members of the upper chamber added one word to one line of the bill. In listing those actions that would incur a penalty under the bill, the original text listed “operating a commercial motor vehicle in violation of a federal or state statute or regulation, or a local law or ordinance, relating to railroad-highway grade crossings.” The Senate added the word “knowingly” to the beginning of that sentence.
A House-Senate conference committee will work out the one-word difference.
For bill status, call (907) 465-3725.

4/17/03 - HB124, a bill that would tighten restrictions on commercial drivers and those who employ them, has been referred to the Senate Rules Committee.
Specifically, the bill would make it illegal for an employer of a commercial driver to encourage their drivers to violate federal, state or local laws regarding railroad crossings. The law also makes it a penalty for the driver to violate the rules. It calls for the suspension of those drivers’ licenses.
For bill status, call (907) 465-3725.

3/18/03 - A bill now before the Alaska Senate would tighten restrictions on commercial drivers and those who employ them.
Specifically, HB124 would make it illegal for an employer of a commercial driver to encourage their drivers to violate federal, state or local laws regarding railroad crossings. The law also makes it a penalty for the driver to violate the rules. It calls for the suspension of those drivers' licenses.
The bill passed the House by a vote of 34-1 on March 12. On March 13, it was referred to the Senate Transportation and Labor and Commerce committees. For bill status, call (907) 465-3725.