Legislature(2009 - 2010)CAPITOL 17

02/16/2010 01:00 PM House TRANSPORTATION


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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
*+ HB 322 WINTER TIRE REQUIREMENTS TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
*+ HB 257 BAN CELL PHONE USE WHEN DRIVING TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
*+ HB 8 PIPE FOR A NATURAL GAS PIPELINE TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
+ Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled TELECONFERENCED
                 HB 322-WINTER TIRE REQUIREMENTS                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
1:05:04 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR P. WILSON announced that the first order of  business would                                                               
be HOUSE  BILL NO.  322, "An Act  relating to  winter tires;  and                                                               
providing for an effective date."                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
1:05:17 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN  HARRIS, Alaska  State Legislature,  remarked                                                               
that the committee would  hear two bills today related to  safety                                                               
issues, one  banning  cell phone  usage during  driving, and  the                                                               
other one  requiring the  use of winter  tires.   Both bills  are                                                               
somewhat  controversial   since  they   impose  restrictions   on                                                               
people's activities for improved safety.  This bill, HB 322,  has                                                               
to do with safety.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS  explained that he  was approached by  tire                                                               
business owners expressing concern over vehicles being driven  in                                                               
winter conditions with inadequate or bald tires.  He  brought the                                                               
issue  of  adequate  winter tires  forward  as  one  that  merits                                                               
discussion.   Although  he  is  not  an expert,  he  has  several                                                               
experts to explain the  merits of using winter tires on  Alaska's                                                               
roads.  He  noted some amendments for the committee to  consider.                                                               
Drivers can swerve and  careen out of control when roads are  icy                                                               
or  during  snowy  conditions, which  pose  a  safety  issue  for                                                               
themselves and  other vehicles on  the roadway.   He offered  his                                                               
belief  that this  issue is  worthwhile to  discuss.   This  bill                                                               
would require all motor  vehicles to have studded tires or  tires                                                               
bearing  the "mountain  snowflake"  symbol, which  indicates  the                                                               
tires  have met  certain performance-based  standards for  winter                                                               
driving.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
1:08:47 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
KELLY GAEDE, President,  Johnson Tire Service, explained that  he                                                               
worked for  Nokian Tyres,  a Finnish tire  company that  invented                                                               
the winter tire  in 1936.  This  company is the expert on  winter                                                               
driving conditions.   He  recalled his  astonishment to  discover                                                               
how few people in Alaska drive using winter tires.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
1:10:35 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR. GAEDE  explained that this  bill has a  purpose, which is  to                                                               
create a higher level of safety during the winter  driving months                                                               
in Alaska.  Use of winter tires is not just for snow and ice,  he                                                               
remarked.  He  offered that lateral testing, or negative  lateral                                                               
testing occurs when  a driver turns the  wheel left or right  but                                                               
the vehicle  does not turn.   This is  the single highest  reason                                                               
for traffic fatalities.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
MR. GAEDE demonstrated a  lateral testing video.  He pointed  out                                                               
the speed  at 28 miles per  hour (mph).  Over  80 percent of  all                                                               
major  winter time  accidents  are caused  by  lateral  stability                                                               
issues, he stated.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
1:12:28 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR. GAEDE  referred to the  video that  members just watched  and                                                               
pointed out  that the driver  turned the steering  wheel but  the                                                               
car did  not turn at  all.  He explained  that when driving  with                                                               
all-season  tires, the  tires  do  not provide  feedback  to  the                                                               
driver,  whereas  when   using  winter  tires  they  do   provide                                                               
feedback.   Those members  that have driven  using studded  tires                                                               
may have  felt the  vibration of the  tires, which is  a form  of                                                               
feedback.   In situations with all-season  tires on the  vehicle,                                                               
there is literally no feedback.  One controversy which arises  in                                                               
areas that do not  receive much snow is people do not think  they                                                               
need all-season tires.  Approximately all 90 percent of  Alaskans                                                               
use  all-season tires  year  round [slide  1].   Thus,  1  in  10                                                               
Alaskans  are driving  on  tires  that are  a  designated  winter                                                               
project.    He  characterized  all-season  tires   as  completely                                                               
inadequate in all types of winter driving.  All-season tries  are                                                               
manufactured with  generic Carbon Black  compounding focusing  on                                                               
mileage.   This  compounding loses  gripping capabilities  at  38                                                               
degrees  by  50  percent.    Finland  has  tested  products   and                                                               
discovered that the pliability  of the product is similar to  the                                                               
table,  in that  it  has likely  lost  about 95  percent  of  its                                                               
capabilities  to  grip.    At  15  degrees  the  tire's  gripping                                                               
capabilities  for all-season  or summer  tires  is less  than  10                                                               
percent.  He said, "It  is not just about snow.  It's also  about                                                               
the  temperature--very, very  important  to know  that.    Winter                                                               
tires are simple.  They save lives."                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
1:15:18 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR.  GAEDE  related  that  winter  tires  are  manufactured  with                                                               
specific  compounds,  tread   patterns,  and  advanced   studding                                                               
systems designed  for winter driving conditions  [slide 3].   The                                                               
winter tire sidewall is designated with the  government's "Severe                                                               
Service Emblem."   Thus, if  this symbol  is on the  side of  the                                                               
tire, it  provides assurance that the  tire will be adequate  and                                                               
is safe for winter driving conditions.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:15:38 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR. GAEDE,  in response  to Representative  T. Wilson,  explained                                                               
that the government's "Severe Service Emblem" has been  certified                                                               
for approximately 15 years.   The emblem is on the side of  every                                                               
winter tire and  is a standard also used  in Europe.  He did  not                                                               
know which  tire companies in Alaska  would not be familiar  with                                                               
the emblem, he stated.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
MR. GAEDE, in response  to Chair P. Wilson, agreed the emblem  is                                                               
one that has been adopted by the U.S. Government.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
1:16:34 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  MUNOZ asked  whether all  winter tires  have  the                                                               
emblem.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
MR. GAEDE agreed.   He related that  the industry does not  refer                                                               
to the tire as snow tires since the tires are not driven  only on                                                               
snow,  but  refer  to  them  as  winter  tires.     However,  the                                                               
statistics support the fact that temperature is a  critical issue                                                               
in terms of pliability and traction.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
1:17:13 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON  asked how many brands  of tires are  in                                                               
the market.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
MR.  GAEDE  guessed   that  about  106  manufacturers   worldwide                                                               
manufacture tires and  about 75 of them  offer winter tires.   He                                                               
remarked that every major company is in the winter tire market.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
MR. GAEDE stated that winter tires save lives [slide 4].   Winter                                                               
compounds remain pliable up  to minus 40 degrees, tread  patterns                                                               
expel  snow, slush,  and ice  away  from the  driving path.    He                                                               
highlighted  Nokian  believes  that  studded  tires  provide  the                                                               
highest  level of  traction in  the  most severe  winter  driving                                                               
conditions,  such  as  polished  ice.    He   differentiated  the                                                               
polished ice from  the type of ice that is  found on a pond.   He                                                               
explained that polished ice  creates grooves, yet a person  could                                                               
not actually  skate on the  ice.   Thus, most of  the driving  on                                                               
slippery roads  is on polished ice,  such as the  type of ice  in                                                               
which a crust on the driveway would turn into ice over time.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
1:18:43 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR. GAEDE  offered that several  designated winter tires  already                                                               
are sold in the  state which can be purchased for year round  use                                                               
[slide 5].  The  average set of winter tires ranges in cost  from                                                               
$400 to  $600.   Based on usage,  a person would  likely need  to                                                               
replace them every four or five years.  Some companies build  the                                                               
"true four season tire" such as Nokian WR G2, Hankook iPike,  and                                                               
BF Goodrich.   He  remarked that about  seven manufacturers  make                                                               
the "true four season tire."                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
1:19:54 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR P. WILSON asked  whether the tires are more expensive  than                                                               
regular tires.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
MR. GAEDE answered  not necessarily.  It  depends on the type  of                                                               
vehicle and the  size.  He suggested that  a person can buy  high                                                               
performance tire, such  as one for  a Corvette, which would  cost                                                               
more.  He  elaborated that there are ultimate end, mid-grade  and                                                               
cheaper tires.   He  characterized the  Nokian as  high end,  the                                                               
Handkook iPike as medium,  and the BF Goodrich would be  slightly                                                               
below that quality.   He related it as being similar to buying  a                                                               
car, noting the difference between a Mercedes and a Ford.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
1:20:59 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR. GAEDE  remarked that  it was  shocking to  discover how  many                                                               
people  do not  use  winter tires  in  Alaska.   He  described  a                                                               
harrowing experience  he had while driving  a rental car  without                                                               
winter tires.   He  provided statistics.   In 2007,  6,635 or  63                                                               
percent  of all  accidents  happened during  the  winter  driving                                                               
months, including  on dry pavement [slide  6].  Approximately  50                                                               
percent occurred on  ice, either black ice  or polished ice.   He                                                               
stated that 55 percent of 6,635 accidents involved  4-wheel drive                                                               
vehicles.  He  suggested car manufacturers create the  impression                                                               
that 4-wheel drive  vehicles provide traction, but the people  in                                                               
the tire  businesses say,  "The only safety  system touching  the                                                               
road is  your tires."   If  someone is using  a vehicle  equipped                                                               
with all-season tires in 20 degree weather, the vehicle will  not                                                               
have any traction.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
MR.  GAEDE  explained there  are  many  benefits  to  legislation                                                               
[slide 7].  He explained that Finland has 5.3 million people  and                                                               
performed  the most  extensive and  comprehensive  socio-economic                                                               
study  regarding the mandatory  use of  winter  tires [slide  8].                                                               
The results showed an  economic and moral benefit to winter  tire                                                               
use,  including millions of  dollars  of savings  in medical  and                                                               
life insurance  costs, personal property,  and state and  federal                                                               
costs associated with accidents.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  P.  WILSON asked  for  an  explanation  of  moral                                                               
benefit.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
MR. GAEDE responded that  this bill will saves lives by  reducing                                                               
major accidents,  keeping people from  being in wheelchairs,  and                                                               
it will be "doing everyone a favor."                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
1:25:08 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  T. WILSON  offered  her  belief it  is  not  that                                                               
simple.   She related that $400  - $600 for  a single parent  can                                                               
represent a hardship.   It is enough  for single parents to  keep                                                               
their  vehicle running.   Additionally, for  those  serving at  a                                                               
military base, such as Eielson Air Force Base, that it is not  as                                                               
simple as changing a tire.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
MR.  GAEDE stated  the data  supports  the long-term  effects  of                                                               
implementing mandatory winter tire use would save money.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR P.  WILSON commented that  some people cannot  add $400  to                                                               
their budget,  especially families  with kids.   Some people  are                                                               
living paycheck-to-paycheck, she said.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
MR. GAEDE understood.   He said it is the biggest objection,  but                                                               
also  the  easiest  objection,  although  he  does  not  want  to                                                               
downplay the significance of the matter.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
1:27:13 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  PETERSEN asked  for  the difference  between  the                                                               
cost of good winter tires and the all-season tires.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
MR. GAEDE responded that the costs are negligible.  Of course  it                                                               
depends on  the vehicle and wheel  size as he previously  stated,                                                               
and while  some products are expensive, a  mid-range set of  all-                                                               
season tires  is about $500  and about the  same cost for  winter                                                               
tires.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  T.   WILSON  asked  when   winter  tires   become                                                               
inefficient as they wear  and whether the tread would need to  be                                                               
measured.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
MR. GAEDE  answered no, that he  did not think  so.  Some  people                                                               
currently drive  on bald  all-season tires.    He suggested  that                                                               
people should check with their local tire company, who can  offer                                                               
advice on  whether to change the  tires or if  they are good  for                                                               
another year or so.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1:28:55 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR. GAEDE,  in response  to Representative  T. Wilson,  explained                                                               
that the length  of time the tire will  last would depend on  the                                                               
manufacturer.   Some  tires will  lose their  winter  compounding                                                               
benefits at 50  percent of the tire  wear.  Other products,  such                                                               
as  Nokian, retain  the winter  driving benefits  for the  entire                                                               
length of the product.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:30:20 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  MUNOZ asked  whether  any other  northern  states                                                               
have mandatory winter tire requirements.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
MR. GAEDE answered no.   He said that in 1972, the tire  industry                                                               
created  the  concept of  the  "all-weather,  all-season"  tires.                                                               
Prior  to 1972  tires were  either winter  or summer  tires.   He                                                               
offered  his  belief  that  the  U.S.  and  Canada  has  done   a                                                               
disservice  to customers  in  selling all-season  tires  as  year                                                               
round  tires.   He does  not think  this will  easily change  but                                                               
emphasized that states like New York, Vermont, Massachusetts  and                                                               
other cold weather states need winter tire products.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
1:31:44 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MICHELLE HOGAN, Johnson  Tire Service, responded to the  question                                                               
about the  cost.   She stated  she is  a single  mother, and  the                                                               
reason for adding a slide to indicate that winter tires could  be                                                               
used year round is to advise people if they can only buy  one set                                                               
of tires that they  can replace their set with winter tires  when                                                               
it is time to replace them.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
MR. GAEDE  suggested that they  encourage people on  a budget  to                                                               
buy one of the three sets listed when they purchase the next  set                                                               
of tires.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
1:33:25 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE PETERSEN asked  whether a grandfather clause  will                                                               
allow people  to continue  using their present  tires until  they                                                               
wear out.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
MR. GAEDE answered no, but that it could be added.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR P.  WILSON stated that  the effective date  of the bill  is                                                               
December 15, 2011.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
MS.  HOGAN responded  to  a question  on  northern states.    She                                                               
agreed  that no  other state  has  implemented mandatory  use  of                                                               
winter tires.   However, Quebec recently adopted winter tire  use                                                               
and  allowed  four  years for  people  to  comply,  in  order  to                                                               
grandfather in products.   She elaborated that Quebec  instituted                                                               
a step system, suggesting their law could be used as a model.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
1:34:39 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR.  GAEDE discussed  Finland's winter  tire requirements  [slide                                                               
8].   Finland  performed  the  most extensive  and  comprehensive                                                               
socio-economic study regarding the mandatory use of winter  tires                                                               
setting  a benchmark  for future  studies, and  demonstrating  an                                                               
economic  benefit to  winter  tire  use.   The  results  included                                                               
millions  of  dollars   of  medical  and  life  insurance   costs                                                               
associated with accidents.   In 1995, Finland passed  legislation                                                               
requiring  the use  of  winter tires.    In 1999,  Sweden  passed                                                               
legislation requiring the use  of winter tires [slide 9].   Since                                                               
then,  accidents involving  major  injuries and  fatalities  have                                                               
decreased between  11 to 14  percent annually.   In 2008,  Quebec                                                               
also passed  legislation, which reduced  accidents by 42  percent                                                               
[slide  10].   In  2006, Germany  encouraged winter  tires  usage                                                               
using public  service announcements  and accident  the number  of                                                               
accidents went down from  12,359 in 2005 to 5,230 in 2007,  which                                                               
represented a 46.4 percent reduction overall.  Germany is in  the                                                               
process of adopting the law as mandatory [slide 11].                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
1:37:24 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR.  GAEDE  stated that  studies  suggest  studded  winter  tires                                                               
reduce the crash rate in winter by up to 10  percent, which saved                                                               
$26 million in economic  costs.  He related that this figure  was                                                               
reported in  a 2004  University of Alaska  School of  Engineering                                                               
study, the "Socio-Economic Effects of Studded Tires in Alaska."                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
MR. GAEDE reported  projected savings if winter tires were  used.                                                               
He projected that the avoided crashes saved $26 million per  year                                                               
in economic costs [slide 13].                                                                                                   
  The graph illustrates that insurers had 52 percent in  savings,                                                               
and drivers  and passengers  saved 27 percent,  with federal  and                                                               
state government saving 11  percent, and others in the  community                                                               
saving 10  percent.  These  savings were based  on 10 percent  of                                                               
the drivers using studded  tires.  That figure is based on  taxes                                                               
collected on studded tires.  This bill would increase the  number                                                               
of people using  winter tires, and could save  7 to 8 times  more                                                               
in  savings.   The  "trickle down"  effect includes  health  care                                                               
savings  including  insurance  costs,  health  care  costs,   and                                                               
ultimately  would cause  insurance  premiums to  decrease.    She                                                               
surmised that drivers out  of pocket expenses could decrease  and                                                               
they could use their savings to buy the next set of  winter tires                                                               
and continue the safety circle that is being promoted.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:40:10 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS.  HOGAN summarized  that  HB  322 would  save  lives,  protect                                                               
Alaskans, create jobs, and save Alaskans money [slide 11].                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
1:40:52 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON  referred to the statistics and  related                                                               
that  the accident  could be  due to  some other  reason such  as                                                               
distraction or  cell phone  use.  She  asked for  the reason  the                                                               
accidents were being attributed to tires.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
MS.  HOGAN  answered  that  the  statistics  were  based  on  the                                                               
Department of Transportation  & Public Facilities (DOT&PF)  crash                                                               
data and road surface  reporting.  She agreed that other  factors                                                               
and circumstances  could have contributed to  the accident.   The                                                               
statistics were compiled on accident reports that indicated  ice,                                                               
snow, and slush were contributing factors of the accident.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE T.  WILSON offered her  belief that accidents  are                                                               
not generally  based on one thing.   She said  she has never  had                                                               
winter tires and  has not been involved  in accidents.  She  said                                                               
it  seemed that  they singled  out several  criteria rather  than                                                               
looking at other circumstances.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
MS. HOGAN  added that  she makes  a valid  point.   She has  been                                                               
working  with the  DOT&PF on  this.   She  stated that  she  also                                                               
pulled in  statistics prepared  by insurance  companies in  other                                                               
countries, too.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
1:43:08 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE T.  WILSON asked whether  any economic impact  has                                                               
been done to determine how it would affect low-income families.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS answered no.  He pointed out that the  same                                                               
issue  happened with  seatbelts in  Alaska, but  now is  commonly                                                               
held to save lives and people have a much better  survival chance                                                               
when  wearing  their  seatbelt.   The  issue  is  the  safety  of                                                               
everyone else on the highway, not necessarily the  person driving                                                               
the vehicle.   A  vehicle is a  "four-wheel bomb"  that can  kill                                                               
people when  driven improperly.   He  stated that  the issue  has                                                               
been brought forward as a discussion issue.  He asked whether  we                                                               
want  to  have  the  best  tires  possible  for   winter  driving                                                               
conditions.  Currently,  the law does  not require people to  use                                                               
winter  tires and  this discussion  is  to consider  whether  the                                                               
legislature wants to implement this.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE T.  WILSON stated that  seatbelts come with  cars.                                                               
This  would  be  another layer  of  government.    She  expressed                                                               
concern that  this would apply  to the military.   She asked  how                                                               
much time a  person entering Alaska would  have to buy them,  and                                                               
how readily  available the  tires would be  in all  parts of  the                                                               
state.  She said she  wanted people to be safe, but she does  not                                                               
want to  create a  hardship for those  with lower  income or  for                                                               
people only in the state for a few months.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE   HARRIS  mentioned   that   seatbelts   did   not                                                               
originally come  with cars until the  federal law made  seatbelts                                                               
mandatory.   For  some time  people  could buy  vehicles  without                                                               
seatbelts, but people could  order them installed.  The  industry                                                               
also  added other  safety enhancements such  as  airbags to  help                                                               
keep people safe.   Now, it is probably not possible to find  any                                                               
vehicle  sold without  the safety  enhancement  of airbags.    He                                                               
remarked that the reason for safety improvements is an effort  to                                                               
address the  high cost  of accidents.   The biggest  cost in  the                                                               
health care  debate is  the  cost of  insurance.   The debate  is                                                               
whether  or not  winter  tires offer  the  best technology.    He                                                               
admitted he does not  drive with winter tires, although his  wife                                                               
uses Bridgestone Blizzak tires  and loves them.  Under the  bill,                                                               
the DOT&PF  can determine  what type  of tire  would suffice  and                                                               
will have the  discretion to do so.   He offered his belief  that                                                               
the discussion  should be  held, and  considering whether  winter                                                               
tires  are  cost  effective  and  save  lives  is  an   important                                                               
discussion.   He  also  understood  the cost  concern  for  lower                                                               
income families.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
1:48:40 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE PETERSEN  asked whether  an auto  dealer could  be                                                               
required to sell cars with this tire installed.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
MR. GAEDE  answered that all the  car dealers sell winter  tires.                                                               
In response to  Chair Wilson, he explained that some  dealerships                                                               
sell an  entire set of wheels  and tires to trade  out.  He  said                                                               
the dealers understand the  concept of safety and using the  best                                                               
tire for winter safety.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
1:50:22 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  T. WILSON  asked  whether other  tires  currently                                                               
sold have  that winter snowflake emblem  designation or would  be                                                               
considered acceptable.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
BRAD BLYSMA, Equipment  Fleet Parts Manager, Statewide  Equipment                                                               
Fleet,   Department  of   Transportation  &   Public   Facilities                                                               
(DOT&PF),  in response  to T.  Wilson,  answered yes,  there  are                                                               
tires, and  tire dealers that  sell winter tires  which have  the                                                               
designation  described in  the  bill.   In  further  response  to                                                               
Representative  T.  Wilson,  he  explained  that  he  was  unsure                                                               
whether  the  Bridgestone  Blizzak  tires  have  the   designated                                                               
emblem, although if the DOT&PF did certify tires that tire  would                                                               
be a top candidate  to qualify as acceptable.  He clarified  that                                                               
several brands are sold in Alaska which carry the  winter service                                                               
snowflake designation.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:52:40 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  T. WILSON  asked  whether DOT&PF  currently  uses                                                               
winter tires for its fleet.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
MR. BLYSMA  responded that  the DOT&PF supplies  winter tires  at                                                               
the discretion  of their  staff and  the tires  carry the  winter                                                               
service snowflake designation.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
1:53:02 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR P. WILSON referred  to the fiscal note and indicated  there                                                               
would still  be a  large amount  of funding  for state  to be  in                                                               
compliance.   She  asked  how  many state  vehicles  have  winter                                                               
tires.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
DIANA ROTKIS, Manager,  Statewide Equipment Fleet, Department  of                                                               
Transportation  &  Public  Facilities  (DOT&PF),  estimated  that                                                               
approximately 35 percent of the light-duty vehicles in  Anchorage                                                               
are not  using winter tires.   She did not  have any figures  for                                                               
the  University   of  Alaska  or   the  Alaska  Housing   Finance                                                               
Corporation (AHFC).  In further response to Chair P.  Wilson, she                                                               
agreed that  the fiscal note  indicates $1 million,  but part  of                                                               
the cost is  to purchase tires with  rims for convenience and  to                                                               
save time in rotating tires on the fleet.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
1:55:03 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MARY  SIROKY, Legislative  Liaison, Office  of the  Commissioner,                                                               
Department  of  Transportation  &  Public   Facilities  (DOT&PF),                                                               
explained  that the  DOT&PF is  not in  a position  to  determine                                                               
which  tires are  approved for  winter driving  conditions.   The                                                               
DOT&PF would rely on the Rubber  Manufacturers Association (RMA),                                                               
or another organization to select the appropriate brands.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
1:56:03 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON  asked whether different lists would  be                                                               
developed in other parts of state.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
MS. ROTKIS responded that  at this time the DOT&PF does not  have                                                               
a designated tire difference by temperature.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
1:56:48 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CINDY  CASHEN,  Administrator,  Highway  Safety  Office   (AHSO),                                                               
Division of  Program Development, in  response to  Representative                                                               
Gruenberg, stated  she was not familiar  with the safety  aspects                                                               
alleged for this bill.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG  expressed concern  and was  unaware  of                                                               
the  potential safety  issues.    He expressed  interest  in  any                                                               
federal or  state studies that  have been done  on winter  tires.                                                               
He  further expressed  interest  in the  factual  and  scientific                                                               
information to determine the safety necessity.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS offered  to provide additional  information                                                               
to members.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
1:58:57 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR WILSON  remarked that  Johnson Tire Center  would stand  to                                                               
profit from this bill,  and not to diminish their testimony,  she                                                               
would like  to review other neutral  information and the  federal                                                               
government information on the winter tire snowflake emblem.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
1:59:39 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON asked  for a breakdown on the  Statewide                                                               
Equipment Fleet vehicles.   She would  like to know if  decisions                                                               
are based on the regions.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
MS. CASHEN deferred  to Ms. Rotkis and  Ms. Siroky to answer  the                                                               
question.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:00:37 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS.  CASHEN  offered to  provide  Representative  Gruenberg  with                                                               
fatality statistics, as well as motor collision statistics.   She                                                               
recalled several  pages that law  enforcement officers must  fill                                                               
out  on  motor  vehicle  collision  reports,   including  vehicle                                                               
conditions,   road   conditions,   and   driver   or    passenger                                                               
information.  She elaborated  that several boxes are used in  the                                                               
report for each collision, including inadequate or tire  failure.                                                               
This is how the HSO gathers information on the number of  crashes                                                               
that  relate to  inadequate  tires.   She  commented  that  other                                                               
factors may be involved, including inattention,  road conditions,                                                               
but the HSO does gather tire data.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
2:02:10 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  GRUENBERG   applauded  the  AHSO   office.     He                                                               
expressed  interest in  reviewing the  federal  or state  law  or                                                               
regulations that may apply.  He expressed interest  in additional                                                               
research.   He  asked whether  any  other state  mandates  winter                                                               
tires.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
MS. CASHEN offered to provide information.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  HARRIS answered  no,  that other  states  do  not                                                               
mandate winter tires.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG remarked that  we would be "plowing  new                                                               
ground."   He  pointed out  that this  legislature is  small  and                                                               
usually takes the lead of other states.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
2:04:02 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE PETERSEN referred to  the fiscal note, and to  the                                                               
$1 million revenue.   He inquired as to whether the winter  tires                                                               
could be phased in over a four years period, which may  lower the                                                               
fiscal impact.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS  responded, referring to  a study from  the                                                               
University of Alaska,  Institute of Social and Economic  Research                                                               
(ISER).    He  anticipated, from  his  experience  on  the  House                                                               
Finance  Standing Committee,  that  the fiscal  impact  could  be                                                               
whittled down or  eliminated.  He pointed  out in the event  that                                                               
accidents  are reduced,  a subsequent  reduction  is had  by  the                                                               
Alaska  State Troopers,  Department  of Public  Safety,  and  the                                                               
DOT&PF for  road clean-up, which is  not reflected in the  fiscal                                                               
note.   He characterized these types  of instances would  reflect                                                               
negative fiscal notes.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
2:06:30 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR P. WILSON indicated that HB 322 would be held over.   Since                                                               
no other states have similar legislation, several amendments  are                                                               
pending and the committee will work on a committee substitute.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS  referred to  three  pending amendments  to                                                               
the bill.   He hoped  the committee would consider  incorporating                                                               
the amendments into the bill.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
2:07:49 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ made a motion to adopt Amendments 1, 2,  and                                                               
3.                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN objected.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
2:08:24 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  MUNOZ withdrew  her  motion.   She  then  made  a                                                               
motion to  adopt Amendment  1, which  read [original  punctuation                                                               
provided]:                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     Page 1, line 11                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     After the word "studs." insert a new subsection to                                                                         
     read:                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
          (c) In this section, "Highway" means north of 60                                                                    
     North Latitude and exclusive of any road  not connected                                                                  
     to the  Dalton, Parks,  Richardson, Tok, Alaska,  Glenn                                                                  
     or Sterling Highways.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN objected for the purpose of discussion.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
2:08:39 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS  explained that Amendment  1 would  require                                                               
winter tires in an area of the state that has most of  the roads.                                                               
Thus, Amendment 1 would exclude all of Southeast Alaska from  the                                                               
mandatory requirement for winter tire use.  He  thought Amendment                                                               
1 might remove some  of the issues raised and attempts to  narrow                                                               
the focus of the bill on the coldest areas of the state.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
2:09:27 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ asked whether Amendment 1 would exclude  the                                                               
Dalton Highway.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  HARRIS answered  since it  is connected  to  road                                                               
system, that  the Dalton  Highway is  included.   In response  to                                                               
Representative Petersen, he  indicated Amendment 1 would  exclude                                                               
Southeast Alaska.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
2:10:15 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE T.  WILSON asked what  areas or communities  would                                                               
be excluded under Amendment 1.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
JOHN  BITNEY, Staff,  Representative  John Harris,  Alaska  State                                                               
Legislature, stated  that Amendment 1  is an effort  to craft  an                                                               
exemption that  would apply  to areas south  of Yakutat,  Alaska.                                                               
Thus, Amendment 1  would also exempt  roads off the main  highway                                                               
system.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
2:11:25 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  T.  WILSON pointed  out  that  those  driving  in                                                               
Anchorage must  switch and she  lives in Fairbanks  but comes  to                                                               
Juneau during the legislative session.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
MR. BITNEY responded that she could leave her winter tires on  in                                                               
Southeast Alaska and  not be penalized.   She would need them  on                                                               
in Fairbanks.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE T.  WILSON asked  whether the tires  are based  on                                                               
temperature.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR.  BITNEY responded yes,  based  on testimony  by the  experts.                                                               
The  current statutes are  written  in relation  to the  calendar                                                               
year for studded tires.  This bill would essentially  be similar,                                                               
with longer  periods of time  required in the  northern areas  of                                                               
the state.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
2:13:06 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR.  BITNEY, in  response to  Representative Gruenberg,  answered                                                               
that Amendment  1 would exclude the  Aleutian Islands since  they                                                               
are not connected by the road system.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
2:13:37 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR WILSON  expressed concern  that some years  the weather  in                                                               
Southeast Alaska hovers between freezing and thawing.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE   HARRIS   recalled   hearing   from   people   in                                                               
Petersburg, Wrangell, and  Sitka that were  in opposition to  the                                                               
bill.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
2:14:44 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  PETERSEN clarified  that in  the event  a  person                                                               
placed  studded  winter  tires  on  their  vehicle  in  Southeast                                                               
Alaska, that action would be encouraged but not mandatory.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS  agreed.   Additionally, HB  322 would  not                                                               
require law  enforcement to check, but  if an accident  occurred,                                                               
and  the tires  were not  winter tires,  but was  a  contributing                                                               
factor, the person could be cited.  No one is expecting that  the                                                               
AST will stop a person solely based on their tires.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
2:16:20 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON asked whether he  considered encouraging                                                               
winter tire use instead of mandating winter tire use.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS explained  that the bill contains a  public                                                               
education campaign,  but "if you  want to have  any teeth to  it,                                                               
you make  it mandatory."  Otherwise  it is just a  recommendation                                                               
for winter tires and it would be nice to do it.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
2:16:56 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  GRUENBERG remarked  that  some  legislators  have                                                               
advocated for an assessment of the impact on municipalities.   He                                                               
said  this bill  may  be a  bill  that  should be  assessed  with                                                               
respect to its impact on municipalities.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR WILSON asked  whether four years would  be the time to  buy                                                               
another set of tires.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG agreed  that is true in many  districts,                                                               
but most people have older cars or take the bus in  his district.                                                               
He thought HB 322 might prevent his constituents from being  able                                                               
to afford a car.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
2:19:25 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN removed his objection.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
There being no objection, Amendment 1 passed.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
2:19:48 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ  made a motion to  adopt Amendment 2,  which                                                               
read [original punctuation provided]:                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     Page 1, line 5:                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
        After the word "from" delete [December] and insert                                                                      
     October                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     After the word "to" delete [March] and insert April                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN objected for purpose of discussion.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS  explained that  Amendment 2  would use  an                                                               
approach similar to the dates for studded tire use.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN removed his objection.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
There being no further objection, Amendment 2 was adopted.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
2:20:39 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  HARRIS   asked  the  committee   to  consider   a                                                               
conceptual amendment to Amendment 3.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  MUNOZ  made  a  motion  to  adopt  a   conceptual                                                               
amendment to Amendment 3, which read as follows:                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     Page 2, line 4:                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     After the word "effect" delete [December] and insert                                                                       
     October 15, 2014.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
2:21:16 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  GRUENBERG  objected  for  a  specific   technical                                                               
conceptual amendment  to Amendment  3.   He  referred members  to                                                               
page 2,  line 4, and  suggested deleting December  15, 2011,  and                                                               
replacing  the  date  with  October  15,  2014.    The   proposed                                                               
Conceptual Amendment to Amendment 3, read, as follows:                                                                          
     Page 2, line 4:                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     After the word "effect" delete [December 15, 2011] and                                                                     
     insert October 15, 2014.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR P. WILSON announced  that the Amendment to Amendment 3  was                                                               
adopted.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR P.  WILSON stated that  Amendment 3, as  amended is  before                                                               
the committee, which read [original punctuation provided]:                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     Page 2, line 4:                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     After the word "effect" delete [December 15, 2011] and                                                                     
     insert October 15, 2014.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
2:22:34 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG removed his objection.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
There being  no further objection, Amendment  3, as amended,  was                                                               
adopted.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
[HB 322 was held over.]                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                

Document Name Date/Time Subjects
HB 322 winter tires backup.pdf HTRA 2/16/2010 1:00:00 PM
HB 322
HB322 winter tires sponsor stmt.pdf HTRA 2/16/2010 1:00:00 PM
HB257 cell phone ban sponsor stmt.pdf HTRA 2/16/2010 1:00:00 PM
HTRA 3/16/2010 1:00:00 PM
HB 257
HB257 cell phone ban sectional.pdf HTRA 2/16/2010 1:00:00 PM
HTRA 3/16/2010 1:00:00 PM
HB 257
hb257 cell phone ban backup.pdf HTRA 2/16/2010 1:00:00 PM
HTRA 3/16/2010 1:00:00 PM
HB 257
HB 8 gasline pie purchase sponsor stmt.pdf HTRA 2/16/2010 1:00:00 PM
HB 8
HB8 gasline pipe purchase tariff and revenue.pdf HTRA 2/16/2010 1:00:00 PM
HB 8
HB8 gasline pipe purchase backup.pdf HTRA 2/16/2010 1:00:00 PM
HB 8
HB 322 Presentation.pdf HTRA 2/16/2010 1:00:00 PM
HB 322