Legislature(1993 - 1994)
03/15/1994 01:30 PM House FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE BILL NO. 183
"An Act directing the identification and delineation of
a transportation and utility corridor between Fairbanks
and the Seward Peninsula for road, rail, pipeline, and
electrical transmission purposes; and providing for an
effective date."
REPRESENTATIVE JEANNETTE JAMES provided members with a
proposed committee substitute, work draft #8-LS0296\U, dated
1/18/94 (copy on file). She noted that page 1, line 7
removes "Northern region". She stressed the need to look
toward the future transportation needs of the state. She
emphasized that Fairbanks is the end of the railroad. She
observed that she is not requesting funding for the corridor
delineation at this time.
Representative James referred to concerns by Co-Chair
MacLean regarding the inclusion of "a road" in the
contemplation of the corridor. She stated that she did not
object to the deletion of "a road".
Co-Chair MacLean stated that she supports the concept of the
legislation. She explained that her reservations are that a
road through the villages could have severe social impact.
Representative Brown expressed concern with the inclusion of
"an electrical transmission line". Representative James
clarified that, currently, there is no intention to build a
line. Representative Brown suggested that the inclusion of
language identifying an electrical transmission line could
provide undue momentum for the building of a line. She
stressed that energy needs of the state should first look to
the resources at hand and provide the least cost to the
consumer.
Representative James assured her that her prime interest is
to assure that authorization exists for a corridor
accommodating a railroad. She stressed the need to plan for
the future.
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Representative Hanley expressed concern that the
Commissioner of Department of Transportation and Public
Facilities could use the authorization to expend federal
funds on the project without legislative appropriation.
Members discussed the Commissioner's ability to spend
federal funds.
Representative James suggested that "subject to legislative
appropriation" be added.
Representative Therriault spoke in support of the retention
of "an electrical transmission line."
Representative Hanley clarified that the legislature must
give authorization for the spending of federal funds.
Representative Brown referred to the fiscal note by the
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. She
noted that the fiscal note requests funding for FY 95 and FY
96. Representative James stated that she did not intend
that there be authorization of money associated with the
legislation.
Co-Chair Larson suggested that language on page 1, line 9
through 14 be deleted from the committee substitute. Co-
Chair MacLean added that "for road, rail, pipeline, and
electrical transmission purposes;" would also be deleted
from the title. Representative James expressed concern that
the corridor meet the criteria needed to build a railroad.
Co-Chair Larson pointed out that page 2, line 2 guarantees
that "the railroad alignment and identification of a
railroad right-of-way of not less than 500 feet shall guide
the identification and delineation of the corridor".
Co-Chair MacLean MOVED to AMEND, work draft #8-LS0296\U,
dated 1/18/94 to delete on page 1, line 2 and 3, "for road,
rail, pipeline, and electrical transmission purposes;" and
to insert on page 1, line 7 "Subject to legislative
appropriation" and to delete after "Peninsula" on page 1,
lines 9 through 14. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so
ordered.
Co-Chair MacLean expressed concern that potential negative
social impacts of nearby communities be considered. She did
not offer Amendment 2 which would have required that the
Department consider these concerns. Representative
Therriault clarified that impact of nearby communities would
be considered under public input when construction is
proposed.
Co-Chair MacLean asked the significance of the AS 38.05
citation on page 2, line 29.
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CLYDE STOLTZFUS, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC
FACILITIES suggested that the citation would prevent the
Department of Natural Resources from taking state land out
of multiple use.
Representative Brown questioned if the process authorized by
the committee substitute would be handled outside of the
normal land classification procedures outlined in AS 38.05.
She asked if classification required public notice.
Representative James assured her that no construction would
take place without public input. Any project using federal
funds would require an environmental impact statement.
CSHB 183 (FIN) was HELD in Committee to allow further
clarification of the citation to AS 38.05.
HOUSE BILL NO. 183
"An Act directing the identification and delineation of
a transportation and utility corridor between Fairbanks
and the Seward Peninsula for road, rail, pipeline, and
electrical transmission purposes; and providing for an
effective date."
Representative James noted that she had discussed the
intent, by the drafter, for the inclusion of AS 38.05. She
referred to page 2, line 14. She noted that after
identifying the corridor the Department of Natural Resources
will make the land available. She stressed that the
language on page 2, line 29 is to assure that the process of
reclassification of land for the corridor be excluded from
AS 38.05 until construction is proposed.
Representative Brown asked why language allowing the
rejection of a corridor was included on line 17, page 2.
Representative Parnell suggested that the language would
allow the corridor to be rejected if it is not used in the
future.
Co-Chair MacLean suggested that the fiscal note by the
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities be zero.
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Co-Chair MacLean MOVED to report CSHB 183 (FIN) out of
Committee with individual recommendations and with a zero
fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
CSHB 183 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with "no
recommendation" and with a fiscal impact note by the House
Finance Committee
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