Senate committee approves bill letting CDL holders renew hazmat endorsement with license; fee rises to $50

The Senate Transportation Committee approved a bill that allows commercial driver's license holders to renew both their CDL and their hazardous-material (hazmat) endorsement at the same time and raises the associated fee by $10. Senator Johnson introduced the measure, saying, "it allows the CDL holders to renew both their license and their hazmat at the same time." Senator Johnson described the bill as "pretty simple" and said the change would help the consistency of the license and hazmat credential.

Committee members requested clarification and staff referenced the bill's fiscal and administrative analysis. Committee member Alicia Austin Smith was noted as available to speak in favor but did not take the floor. A motion to "do pass" was made and seconded; the committee approved the bill by voice vote with members saying "aye." The chair announced the bill had passed the committee; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript.

The measure increases a renewal fee cited in committee from $40 to $50 to align the timing of license and endorsement expirations. Committee discussion did not record formal opposition on the floor. The committee moved on to the next agenda items after the vote.