Legislature(2007 - 2008)HOUSE FINANCE 519
04/11/2008 08:30 AM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB259 | |
| SB231 | |
| SB218 | |
| SB120 | |
| SB201 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 231 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 218 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 120 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 259 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 201 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
10:56:19 AM CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 218(FIN) An Act relating to use of child safety seats and seat belts. SENATOR HOLLIS FRENCH, SPONSOR, introduced SB 218, stating that booster seats save lives. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends that children under 80# and under 57" tall use a child safety seat or belt positioning booster seat. SB 218 stipulates that: • Children under one year of age or older but under 20#, shall be secured in a rear facing child safety seat; • Children one to four years old who weight over 20# shall be secured in a child restraint device or seat; • Children four to eight who are under 57" tall and under 80# shall be secured in a booster seat or a child restraint system; • Children over 4 who are taller than 57" and weigh over 80# shall be properly secured in a seat belt, just like adults; • Children over eight years of age but under sixteen years old, who are under 57" tall and 80# shall be restrained by the proper safety device or a seat belt, whichever is appropriate. Senator French pointed out that all safety devices, boosters and child seats must meet or exceed the standards set out by the United States (U.S.) Department of Transportation. At the present time, thirty nine other states mandate booster seat use. While any restraint is better than none, national studies have shown booster seats are 60% safer than seat belts alone. The cost of a booster seat ranges from $25 to $100 dollars, depending on the model. Senator French urged support of the legislation. Co-Chair Chenault asked if the bill imposes any new fines. Senator French replied it does not; it remains the same penalty for someone having a baby behind a seat belt instead of being placed in a booster chair. The penalty is a $50 dollar ticket for the first time offense and if the seat is purchased, the fine does away. Co-Chair Chenault asked if there was an educational program available to inform parents about the new federal requirement. Senator French explained that there is a group that provides information and funnels money if the parent needs help purchasing the seat. 10:59:47 AM ALLISON BIASTOCK, STAFF, SENATOR HOLLIS FRENCH, added that the main group operating in Alaska is called Safe Kids. It is a non profit & devoted to child safety. They operate through statewide hospitals. Another group is called Kids on the Move program, which offers booster seat assistance to families on a sliding scale base. 11:00:27 AM Representative Thomas inquired if there were federal funds tied to conforming the program. Senator French responded there are and that the State of Alaska will receive $200 thousand dollars per year from the federal government. Representative Thomas pointed out in previous years, funding went to the Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) programs and Bush Alaska never received any of those funds. 11:01:32 AM Vice-Chair Stoltze recalled when the bill was presented in th the 13 Legislature. He did not want to see the issue micro-managed. Senator French shared those concerns; however, pointed out that safety is the main issue. Vice-Chair Stoltze worried about children that have handicaps and how the bill would impact them. Senator French indicated that language on Page 2 addresses that concern; the choice is actually left to the parents. 11:04:54 AM Representative Gara concluded that the "education actually happens when the person is pulled over, at which time they are given a "fixable ticket. Senator French acknowledged that was correct and added that the fine could be off-set by purchasing a safety chair. In response to Representative Gara, Ms. Biastock explained that current State law clarifies that children four and under need to be in an appropriate device. The bill adopts the federal guidelines and adds the age group four to eight for booster use or appropriate devices. Representative Gara pointed out the letter of support from Automobile Dealer's Association. 11:06:49 AM Vice-Chair Stoltze recalled that in the 1980's, the peek-a- boo program provided free child seats. He commented that the best use for the funds is to provide free seats through the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. 11:08:04 AM MARY SIROKY, SPECIAL ASSISTANT, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES, explained that 50% of the federal funds would be used for purchasing child protection devices and the remainder dollars used for educational purposes. Vice-Chair Stoltze asked if the educational effort would be weaned after the second year. Ms. Siroky did not know the specifics of the federal requirement. Senator French agreed the split between purchasing seats and education was a fair use of funds. 11:09:06 AM Co-Chair Chenault asked if the funding could be used to enhance the current program. Ms. Siroky did not know the amount currently allocated for education and seat belt use. 11:10:03 AM PUBLIC TESTIMONY CLOSED 11:10:15 AM Ms. Armstrong explained the zero note from the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, clarifying that $194 thousand dollars had been included in HCS SB 221 (FIN) allocation. 11:11:33 AM Vice-Chair Stoltze MOVED to REPORT CS SB 218(FIN) out of Committee with individual recommendations and with the accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CS SB 218(FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with a new zero note by the House Finance Committee for the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities.
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