Legislature(2005 - 2006)BUTROVICH 205
02/08/2005 01:30 PM Senate TRANSPORTATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB63 | |
| SB40 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| = | SB 63 | ||
| = | SB 40 | ||
| * | SB 85 | ||
SB 63-USE SEAT BELT ROAD SIGNS
MS. CHERYL SUTTON, staff to Senator Ben Stevens, introduced SB
63. Currently under the highway fatality memorial signs program,
there are no provisions for a seatbelt sign. Research shows that
55 percent of fatalities in accidents could have been avoided
had the individual been wearing a seatbelt. The Department of
Transportation (DOT) can incorporate this type of sign into the
memorial program. SB 63 provides suggested sign options for the
committee. The intent is to have the sign incorporated under the
program and posted at the sites of fatal accidents where no
seatbelt was used. The DOT does not charge for memorial signs
because they serve both a public and a private purpose.
1:37:41 PM
SENATOR THERRIAULT asked for clarification regarding the last
sentence of SB 63.
MS. SUTTON deferred to the DOT.
SENATOR THERRIAULT asked the need for a title.
MS. SUTTON informed the title of the bill is to honor a young
man who died.
1:39:09 PM
SENATOR THERRIAULT stated it was uncommon to name a statute
after an individual.
Senator Kookesh joined the committee.
SENATOR FRENCH asked whether the suggestive sign options were
binding.
MS. SUTTON said not necessarily. They are just suggestions.
SENATOR FRENCH envisioned a standard safety sign.
MS. SUTTON said SB 63 was specifically directed toward buckling
up.
CHAIR HUGGINS inquired about the sign specifics.
1:41:31 PM
MS. SUTTON did not know precisely what the sign would look like.
SENATOR COWDERY asked whether other states have similar
legislation.
MS. SUTTON did not know.
CHAIR HUGGINS called the DOT representatives to testify.
1:42:55 PM
MS. NONA WILSON, legislative liaison, Alaska Department of
Transportation (DOT), and Mark Neidhold, chief of design and
construction standards, Alaska DOT testified regarding SB 63.
MS. WILSON addressed Senator Therriault's question regarding the
last line of SB 63. There are placement criteria regulations
regarding sign management. The DOT maintains concern regarding
highway clutter and driver distractions, and must have authority
over signage organization.
MR. NEIDHOLD added signs were placed after considering several
issues such as the proliferation of signs on the roadway,
potential distracters, placement of safe distance from the side
of road, etc. The last line of SB 63 preserves the DOT's
authority to manage signage.
1:45:37 PM
SENATOR COWDERY asked whether other states had passed similar
legislation.
MR. NEIDHOLD said signs were allowed through a federal uniform
standard. Other states do post signs within the regulatory
standards but he was not sure about memorial signs.
SENATOR COWDERY asked whether an administrative order rather
than a statute could accomplish the issue.
MS. WILSON answered it could be done either way.
SENATOR COWDERY asked who maintains the memorial signs.
MR. NEIDHOLD explained the DOT maintains the signs and there is
a term limit by Alaska code.
1:47:48 PM
SENATOR THERRIAULT asked the limitations on what the DOT could
erect.
MR. NEIDHOLD referenced Alaska administrative code. Two signs
are allowed under the memorial program, which are supplementary
plaques. They are "please drive safely", or "please don't drink
and drive", supplemented by "in memory of", or sponsored by the
name of the family.
MS. WILSON clarified the DOT absorbs the costs ($500) of posting
signs.
SENATOR THERRIAULT asked Mr. Neidhold to describe the sign SB 63
is proposing.
MR. NEIDHOLD said the DOT recommends the sign be similar to
preexisting signage with a supplemental plaque. Regulatory signs
should be stand alone signs because it speaks to uniformity and
driver expectancy. Regulatory signs are non-distracting.
SENATOR THERRIAULT asked the latitude that line 8 gives the DOT.
1:52:07 PM
MS. WILSON responded it was for sensible placement criteria and
general area compromise.
CHAIR HUGGINS asked whether the DOT had any issues with SB 63.
MS. WILSON said no.
1:55:41 PM
CHAIR HUGGINS asked the position of the safety officer.
MR. NEIDHOLD responded the safety staff is on board.
MS. WILSON added there is the support of the Alaska Highway
Safety Office as well.
2:00:21 PM
SENATOR THERRIAULT moved Amendment 1.
Line 8 after the word "at" insert "or near".
Hearing no objections, Amendment 1 was adopted.
SENATOR THERRIAULT moved Amendment 2.
Delete Section 1.
2:02:31 PM
CHAIR HUGGINS asked for sponsor concerns regarding Amendment 2.
MS. SUTTON could not speak for Senator Ben Stevens but added he
wanted Section 1 in the bill.
2:03:18 PM
Hearing no objections, the committee adopted Amendment 2
2:04:27 PM
SENATOR THERRIAULT moved CSSB 63(TRA) out of committee as
amended with individual recommendations and attached fiscal
notes. Hearing no objections, the motion carried.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|