Legislature(2003 - 2004)
2003-03-06 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2003-03-06 Senate Journal Page 0390 SB 106 SENATE BILL NO. 106 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act relating to a fee on studded tires; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Transportation and Finance Committees. 2003-03-06 Senate Journal Page 0391 The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Revenue Governor's transmittal letter dated March 5: Dear President Therriault: Under the authority of art. III, sec 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill that would impose a fee on the purchase and use of studded tires in Alaska. According to a 1996 report by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, the use of studded tires in Alaska causes approximately $5 million damage to our roads per year. Most of this damage occurs in our high traffic urban centers in the form of rutting. It is a particular problem in our urban centers where rutting is often severe and causes unsafe driving conditions. The worst of this damage is repaired by the department. Due to limited maintenance funding, much of it is added to the State's deferred maintenance backlog. This bill would impose a fee of $10 for each studded tire sold, resulting in $2 million in increased revenues. This proposal represents a modest, user-pays approach to paying for studded tire damage. New tire technology has been developed in the last ten years to create studless winter tires. These tires use softer rubber compounds and specific tread patterns to improve their performance in snow and ice conditions. This technology has continued to improve and is widely available as an alternative to studded winter tires. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Frank H. Murkowski Governor