Representative Lisa Sobecki — H.B. 129: CDL Student Aid Program Testimony (March 10, 2021)
Summary
Testimony dated March 10, 2021 from Representative Lisa Sobecki, House District 45, on House Bill 129, given with joint sponsor Representative Jim Hoops to establish the Commercial Truck Driver Student Aid Program. It states that the prior bill was House Bill 386 and that House Bill 129 would provide a grant and a loan administered by the Ohio Department of Higher Education. It lists eligibility requirements including a clean driving record and a recent drug test, and requires applicants to be Ohio residents who agree to be employed in the state and remain a resident for a minimum of one year after completing CDL coursework.
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“Representative Lisa Sobecki — H.B. 129: CDL Student Aid Program Testimony (March 10, 2021).”
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Representative Lisa Sobecki
House District 45
H.B. 129: CDL Student Aid Program Testimony
March 10, 2021
Good afternoon. It is great to be back in the Economic and Workforce Development
Committee. Chair Edwards, Vice Chair Powell, Ranking Member Upchurch, and
members of the Ohio House Economic and Workforce Development Committee; thank
you for the opportunity to present testimony today on House Bill 129, with my joint
sponsor Representative Jim Hoops, to establish the Commercial Truck Driver Student
Aid Program. Last GA, our bill was House Bill 386 and although it only had two
hearings, the bill had bi-partisan co-sponsors and received broad support from the
trucking industry.
Multiple industries across Ohio relay on commercial trucks and Ohio has a shortage of
qualified employees with a CDL license to fill open jobs. House Bill 129 will incentivize
individuals to pursue a CDL by providing them a grant and a loan administered by the
Ohio Department of Higher Education to help cover the costs. In order to be eligible for
the program, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements such as clean driving
record and have passed a recent drug test. Applicants must be an Ohio resident in order
to qualify and must agree to be employed in the state and be a resident of the state of
Ohio for a minimum of one year after completing their CDL coursework. The purpose
of this requirement is protect the State of Ohio’s investment.
Driving around, whether it be in Northwest Ohio, or on my trip down to the
Statehouse, there are no shortage of signs or billboards, looking for truck drivers. These
jobs are including on the Ohio Means Jobs “In-Demand” jobs listing and there is a lot of
our economy which stills relies on the trucking industry.
Being a truck driver is good career with great pay and great benefits and the industry is
critical to the success of our economy. The Commercial Truck Driver Student Aid
Program will remove financial barriers which stand in the way of someone obtaining
their CDL and help produce qualified candidates to fill jobs the trucking industry badly
needs.
Thank you for again for the opportunity to present testimony today on House Bill 129
and I will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
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