03/28/2007 01:30 PM House FINANCE

HOUSE BILL NO. 168                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     An  Act authorizing  two exchanges  of land between  the                                                                   
     Alaska  Railroad  Corporation   and  the  Department  of                                                                   
     Transportation and Public  Facilities; and providing for                                                                   
     an effective date.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
DAVID SCOTT,  STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE KYLE  JOHANSEN, explained                                                                   
that HB 168 would authorize two  land transfers.  It provides                                                                   
10  acres  of  land  exchange  between  the  Alaska  Railroad                                                                   
Corporation  (ARRC) and  the Department  of Transportation  &                                                                   
Public  Facilities.   The legislation  ensures  that all  the                                                                   
appropriate  titles   to  property  are  in   place  for  the                                                                   
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities projects.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
   ·    Section 1 - Parks Highway Improvement Project                                                                           
   ·    Section 2 - Fairbanks International Airport Heavy                                                                       
        Aircraft Cargo Apron                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Scott noted  that both projects require  that ARRC adjust                                                                   
the track  and right of way  lands.  Alaska  Statutes require                                                                   
legislative approval  for ARRC  to exchange, donate,  sell or                                                                   
otherwise convey its entire interest in land.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
1:44:24 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Vice Chair  Stoltze said he  welcomed the bill's  language as                                                                   
the Railroad  has previously  engaged in illegal  activities.                                                                   
The  Railroad is  reminded they  are a  public entity,  which                                                                   
carries the  responsibility to report.   He asked  if Wasilla                                                                   
and Fairbanks had authorized the transfer.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
1:45:55 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MARY SIROKY, SPECIAL ASSISTANT,  DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                                                                   
AND PUBLIC FACILITIES,  advised that the Department  had gone                                                                   
through the public process addressing  the roads; she did not                                                                   
know about the airport expansion.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Vice  Chair Stoltze  understood that  there had  not been  an                                                                   
official endorsement  from local governments.   He hoped that                                                                   
answers  would  be  forth  coming during  the  process.    He                                                                   
assumed it was a straightforward land transfer.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
1:47:52 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative   Kelly   explained   that   the   legislation                                                                   
accommodates the  runway expansion and airport  modification.                                                                   
It is  a beneficial  swap for  both the  State and  the local                                                                   
areas.  He doubted any objection by local governments.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Chenault noted that he  was not familiar with either                                                                   
project.  He asked if the Railroad  track had been realigned.                                                                   
Ms.  Siroky  said  yes,  during   the  construction  easement                                                                   
portion of the project.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
1:49:27 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
WENDY   LINDSKOOG,   ASSISTANT  VICE   PRESIDENT,   CORPORATE                                                                   
AFFAIRS,  ALASKA  RAILROAD  CORPORATION,  offered  to  answer                                                                   
questions of the Committee.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
PUBLIC TESTIMONY CLOSED                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
1:50:42 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Vice Chair  Stoltze MOVED to REPORT  HB 168 out  of Committee                                                                   
with  individual recommendations  and  with the  accompanying                                                                   
fiscal note.  There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
HB   168  was   reported  out   of  Committee   with  a   "no                                                                   
recommendation" and  with zero note  #1 by the  Department of                                                                   
Commerce, Community  & Economic Development and  zero note #2                                                                   
by the Department of Transportation & Public Facilities.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
1:52:04 PM