Legislature(2017 - 2018)CAPITOL 106
04/05/2017 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB189 | |
| Presentation: Northwestern Alaska Career and Technical Center (nactec) | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 189 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
HB 189-SCHOOL BUS INSPECTION FEES
8:04:36 AM
CHAIR DRUMMOND announced that the first order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 189, "An Act relating to program receipts; and
relating to fees for school bus inspections."
8:05:02 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TAMMY WILSON, Alaska State Legislature,
introduced HB 189, as the sponsor, paraphrasing from the sponsor
statement, which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
HB 189 allows the Department of Education to establish
by regulation a fee to cover the cost of the school
bus inspections required under AS 14.09.030(b)(2). The
school bus operator will be charged this fee.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSTON asked whether the bill affects the
number of inspections.
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON said inspections occur twice a year -
as is already in statute - and the bill does not change the
inspection process, but only that the fee will be paid by the
school bus operators.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSTON suggested responsibility for the
inspections may be held by local - and not state - government.
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON said the intent of the bill is to allow
the Department of Education and Early Development (EED) to
charge the fee; however, school districts may be able to address
this issue.
REPRESENTATIVE FANSLER inquired as to the cost of inspections.
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON advised the statute does not address
the cost; however, [Fiscal Note Identifier: HB 189-EED-SFF-3-
31-17] indicated further details would be determined by
regulations. The department could determine a specific amount,
or the current amount budgeted - $210,000 - could be used as a
baseline. In further response to Representative Fansler, she
said currently the state conducts and pays for inspections. The
bill would allow the fee to be charged to each private vendor;
school bus inspections are necessary but should not be paid for
by the state.
8:08:27 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PARISH surmised the intent is to shift the cost
of the inspections from the state to the school bus operators
and restated the question as to what inspections cost.
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON observed inspections are the
responsibility of the operators, as are safety inspections
required of other businesses. She returned attention to page 2
of the fiscal note and reported there is an average of 1,055
buses inspected each year and the department would establish an
inspection fee of $175 per bus, per inspection. In further
response to Representative Parish, she confirmed the fee could
be changed by regulation.
REPRESENTATIVE PARISH said his concern is the safety of students
is the responsibility of the state.
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON stressed inspections would still be
required without any change -- the only difference being who
pays the fee.
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP observed one way or another $147,000 is
going to be paid by the state because if EED establishes a fee,
school bus operators are going to negotiate the cost of bus
inspections into their contracts.
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON agreed, however, local school districts
may decide that they have a better or more affordable means for
fulfilling the inspection requirement. She also suggested
school bus operators may find efficiencies.
8:13:48 AM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSTON questioned who is ultimately liable for
school buses.
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON opined the responsibility falls to
those who have contracts for school bus transportation. The
related statute may have been enacted to ensure a level of
safety through state oversight. However, the statute did not
provide for charging an inspection fee.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSTON advised private contractors have to be
bonded, and their liability is probably in partnership with the
local school district; she urged for the line of liability to be
ascertained.
CHAIR DRUMMOND questioned who performs the inspections.
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON said the department.
8:16:13 AM
HEIDI TESHNER, Director, Administrative Services, EED, in
response to Chair Drummond, explained currently the department
contracts with "resurrection auto" to conduct inspections twice
per year; should HB 189 be enacted, the cost of inspections
would affect both school districts and contractors because there
are district-operated school buses and contractor-operated
school buses.
8:17:40 AM
ELWIN BLACKWELL, School Finance Manager, School Finance and
Facilities Section, EED, in response to Chair Drummond, further
explained the Anchorage School District (ASD) operates
approximately 122 buses and Reliant Transportation operates
approximately 181 school buses.
CHAIR DRUMMOND asked whether the department contracts to have
all the buses inspected.
MS. TESHNER said correct.
8:18:40 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SPOHNHOLZ clarified [Fiscal Note Identifier:
HB189-EED-SFF-3-31-17] indicates the costs that are currently
being paid by the state are moved either to school districts or
to contractors. She pointed out the fiscal note cost estimates
are: $95,600 in fiscal year 2019 (FY 19); $97,000 in FY 20;
$107,900 in FY 21. Further, the fiscal note indicates the state
would collect fees to implement the program.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSTON asked EED to provide inspection data and
whether safety violations have been routinely reported. In
addition, she questioned whether the contractor [performing the
inspections] is a certified school bus inspector.
MR. BLACKWELL said the contractor hired by the state has been
trained as a school bus inspector; the same contractor has been
doing the inspections for approximately 10-15 years and follows
specific criteria.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSTON asked whether a local garage or mechanic
could satisfy the requirements for the inspections and avoid
travel costs.
MS. TESHNER offered to provide the data requested.
REPRESENTATIVE PARISH observed the bill does not provide for a
change in the contractor who is currently performing
inspections.
MS. TESHNER agreed.
8:23:40 AM
CHAIR DRUMMOND asked the bill sponsor whether the number of
inspections per year is sufficient, or whether one inspection
per year would be adequate.
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON noted the intent of the bill is not
just who pays for the inspections but to point out some regions
have public bus transportation systems that are not inspected,
and public safety issues are not a topic of discussion. She
opined if inspections were determined by "local control"
inspections of school buses and of public transportation may
increase. Data from the department - indicating the number of
past violations - may be informational, but the liability is
held by the local government, school districts, and bus
operators. The primary intent is to extract the government out
of the process, and to look for cost savings and more
flexibility in student transportation.
CHAIR DRUMMOND related some school districts have difficulty
finding school bus drivers to train; further, she was informed
ASD is cooperating with the public transit system in Anchorage
[to provide student transportation].
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON acknowledged options may well be
available using public transportation systems already in place;
however, the liability issue remains a concern, and to ensure
children get to school in the safest way possible.
8:27:47 AM
[HB 189 was held over.]
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB189 Sponsor Statement 3.24.17.pdf |
HEDC 4/5/2017 8:00:00 AM |
HB 189 |
| HB0189A 3.24.17.PDF |
HEDC 4/5/2017 8:00:00 AM |
HB 189 |
| HB189 Fiscal Note EED 3.31.17.pdf |
HEDC 4/5/2017 8:00:00 AM |
HB 189 |