Legislature(2011 - 2012)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/10/2012 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB131 | |
| HB246 | |
| HB258 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 131 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 246 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 258 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 131(TRA) am
"An Act establishing the Alaska Community and Public
Transportation Advisory Board and relating to a long-
range community and public transportation plan; and
providing for an effective date."
9:03:32 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CATHY MUNOZ, explained HB 131. She referred
to the Sponsor Statement (copy on file).
House Bill 131 creates a Community and Transportation
Advisory Board which will assist in the development
and procedural recommendations for existing programs
of state, federal and local agencies that provide
community-based transportation services. Public and
community transportation is integral in connecting
communities, supporting development and serving our
most vulnerable constituents.
The designation of this board is a recommendation from
the Governor's Coordinated Transportation Task Force
which was released in the February 2010
Recommendations Report. The board will continue
efforts to address public and community transportation
and help fill the gap in transportation for
individuals who require more specialized travel -
senior citizens, low income individuals, persons with
disabilities, and those who are transit-dependent.
The board will consist of 13 members from departments
within state and local governments, Denali Commission,
Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, non-profits, and
those with expertise in transportation needs for
senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and
transit-dependent individuals. This broad range of
membership will facilitate communication and
strategies that will benefit communities of all sizes.
HB131 has support from the Alaska Mobility Coalition,
the Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special
Education, Advisory Board on Alcoholism and Drug
Abuse, the Alaska Commission on Aging, Alaska Mental
Health Trust Authority, Alaska Brain Injury Network,
and the Alaska Suicide Prevention Council.
Representative Munoz highlighted the fiscal notes attached
to HB 131.
9:05:25 AM
JEFF OTTESEN, DIRECTOR, PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT, DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES (DOT/PF), stated that
he was a governor-appointed chairman of the Coordinated
Transportation Task-Force for the past three years. He
remarked that while serving as chairman, he learned how
important coordinated transportation was for all Alaskans.
He explained that 11 percent of the Alaska population was
in need of coordinated transportation: seniors, individuals
with disabilities, and individuals who lack sufficient
income to afford an automobile. He stressed that some of
the 11 percent were heads-of-household, so there were even
more people in the household who were in need of
coordinated transportation. He stated that the money that
would be integrated into the program would be spread across
many different agencies: federal, state, tribal, local, and
non-profit. He stressed that the purpose of the commission
was to bring together the different agencies, in order to
coordinate communication and cohesiveness.
Senator Thomas surmised that the HB 131 would change the
name of a board, but retain the same mission.
Representative Munoz replied that the bill would extend the
work of the commission until 2016.
Senator McGuire explained that when the omnibus energy bill
was drafted, there was a clause that required DOT/PF to
look at compressed natural gas as a fuel source. She
wondered if there would be consideration for language
within the bill to specifically address a more affordable
fuel base for public transportation. Representative Munoz
replied that she was open to any opportunity to improve
efficiencies and use of energy was positive. Mr. Ottesen
furthered that he had worked on getting compressed natural
gas into the public transportation fleet, so he was an
advocate of that issue for many years.
Co-Chair Hoffman noted the one previously published zero
fiscal note from DOT/PF.
9:10:48 AM
MARIE DARLIN, AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED PERSONS,
JUNEAU, testified in support of HB 131. She remarked that
one of the major issues for seniors is the accessibility to
affordable transportation. She felt that there should be a
focus of the routing of services; placing and designing of
roads; and installing intelligent systems. She remarked
that there will continue to be an increasing number of
aging Alaskans she face mobility issues.
KEVIN GADSEY, SOUTHEAST ALASKA INDEPENDENT LIVING,
KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), urged support of HB 131. He
shared a story about the commission, and remarked that he
was impressed with the problem solving techniques that the
board was attempting to utilize.
RUTH DULIN, SELF, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), testified
in support of HB 131.
HB 131 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.