SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 2696

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As of February 19, 2018

Title: An act relating to medical certificate requirements for applicants and holders of commercial drivers' licenses and commercial learners' permits.

Brief Description: Concerning medical certificate requirements for applicants and holders of commercial drivers' licenses and commercial learners' permits.

Sponsors: House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Valdez, Orcutt, Eslick and Jinkins; by request of Department of Licensing).

Brief History: Passed House: 2/13/18, 98-0.

Committee Activity: Transportation: 2/19/18.

Brief Summary of Bill

Modifies requirements for medical examiner certificates to comply with a new federal requirement that states include commercial driver's license (CDL) holders' medical self-certification status in their Commercial Driver's License Information System (CDLIS) records.
Eliminates the requirement that CDL holders carry a copy of their medical examiner certificate with them and provide the Department of Licensing (DOL) with a paper copy of their medical examiner's certificate.
Updates when the DOL must record CDL holders' medical qualification status on their CDLIS record and when the DOL will initiate a CDL downgrade due to the absence of proof of medical self-certification.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Staff: Bryon Moore (786-7726)

Background: Federal Law. Under federal law, a CDL or commercial learner's permit (CLP) holder may not operate a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce unless the permit holder is medically certified as physically qualified to do so—non-excepted interstate,—or unless the permit holder solely engages in certain exempted driving categories—excepted interstate. For the purposes of the regulation of the operation of commercial vehicles in intrastate commerce, the federal government will withhold certain federal funds if states do not meet standards for medical certification that are comparable to federal medical standards, unless deviations from it are based on sound medical judgement and appropriate performance standards. Prior to January 30, 2015, federal law required that a CDL or CLP holder was required to carry the original or a copy of a current medical examiner's certificate indicating that the permit holder was physically qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle.

Beginning on January 30, 2015, existing CDL and CLP holders were required to provide the state with an original or copy of a current certificate and the state was required to post medical certification statuses to CDLIS, which is used by all states. From January 30, 2015, until June 22, 2018, as long as an individual submits a current medical examiner's certificate to the state, the individual is only required to carry the original or a copy of the certificate for 15 days after the date the certification was issued. Beginning on June 22, 2018, a CDL or CLP holder will no longer need to carry on their person the medical examiner's certificate. This is because, as of that date, an electronic copy of medical examiner's certifications will be submitted by all medical examiners to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). FMCSA will then provide this information to the state, and the state will be required to post a medical qualification status of "certified" on the driver record in the CDLIS.

State Law. A person may not drive a commercial motor vehicle unless that person is physically qualified to do so, or unless that person meets federal criteria for an agricultural use exemption. An individual must carry on the individual's person the original or a physical copy of the medical examiner certificate. It is a traffic infraction for a CDL or CLP holder to drive a commercial motor vehicle without having on their person the original or a photographic copy of a medical examiner's certificate. This traffic infraction is subject to a base penalty of $250. The base penalty is reduced to $50 if the person provides proof that they had been issued the appropriate medical examiner's certificate at the time the infraction occurred.

Any person applying for a CDL or CLP must certify that they expect to engage in non-excepted interstate, excepted interstate, non-excepted intrastate, or excepted intrastate driving. A CDL or CLP applicant or holder who certifies that they expect to engage in non-excepted interstate driving must provide a copy of a medical examiner's certificate to DOL, and the DOL must post this information to the CDLIS within ten calendar days.

Excepted intrastate means that a CDL or CLP holder operates in intrastate commerce, but engages exclusively in transportation or operations excepted from all or parts of state driver qualification requirements.

Summary of Bill: A commercial motor vehicle driver is no longer required to carry a medical examiner certificate on their person as valid proof of medical certification. It is a traffic infraction for a CDL or CLP holder to drive a commercial motor vehicle while downgraded by the DOL for not maintaining a medical certification with the DOL.

Unless engaged in excepted intrastate travel only, a CDL or CLP applicant or holder must provide a copy of a medical examiner's certificate to the DOL, and the DOL must post this information to the CDLIS within ten calendar days. When the DOL receives an electronic copy of the medical examiner's certificate from FMCSA, DOL must post the medical status of the CDL or CLP holder to the individual's CDLIS driver record.

The definition of excepted intrastate is modified to require that a CDL or CLP holder with this designation not operate a commercial motor vehicle in the state. The definitions of excepted interstate and non-excepted intrastate are modified to clarify that a CDL or CLP holder or applicant must obtain a medical examiner's certificate under state law using the procedure provided in federal law.

All references to Code of Federal Regulations sections in effect as of July 8, 2014, are changed to reference the versions in effect as of the effective date of the bill.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect on April 30, 2019.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill takes the CDL medical certification process into the digital age. Physicians will be able to enter medical certifications into a system using computers. This will make it easier for law enforcement to verify current medical certifications of CDL holders and will help prevent fraud. It will take the burden off of drivers who are currently required to carry a medical certificate in the cab of their trucks.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Javier Valdez, Prime Sponsor; Beau Perschbacher, Department of Licensing.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.