Legislature(2007 - 2008)BUTROVICH 205
05/01/2007 01:30 PM Senate TRANSPORTATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB136|| HB185 | |
| SJR7 | |
| HJR18 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| = | SB 136 | ||
| HB 185 | |||
| * | SJR 7 | ||
| HJR 18 | |||
HJR 18 OPPOSE FED AVIATION FUEL TAX INCREASE
CHAIR KOOKESH announced the consideration of HJR 18. [CSHJR
18(TRA) was before the committee.]
2:08:04 PM
SONIA CHRISTENSEN, staff to Representative Johansen, sponsor of
HJR 18, said that the resolution is in opposition to the
provisions in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)'s Next
Generation Transportation System Reform Act.
2:08:39 PM
SENATOR COWDERY moved to adopt the proposed Senate committee
substitute to HJR 8, labeled 25-LS0830\L, as the working
document of the committee. There being no objection, version L
was before the committee.
MS. CHRISTIANSEN repeated her statement regarding the bill's
opposition to the FAA Next Generation Transportation System
Reform Act. Because of Alaska's geography the state depends
uniquely and heavily on aviation for transport of goods and
people. The proposed legislation will make this all much more
expensive; the FAA should not have the proposed power over
Alaska's airports.
2:10:25 PM
SENATOR COWDERY commented that the first version of the
resolution related to jet airplanes.
MS. CHRISTIANSEN explained that the changes were recommended by
Senator Olson's office.
2:11:10 PM
GINNY AUSTERMAN, staff to Senator Olson, sponsor of companion
bill SJR 7, explained that Senator Olson's office requested that
propeller-driven and rotor-equipped aircraft be specified in the
resolution.
2:11:35 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked if jet-driven aircraft are being
excluded from the resolution.
MS. AUSTERMAN replied that jet-driven aircraft are specifically
included in the federal legislation.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked if there is a reason jet-driven
aircraft are being excluded.
MS. AUSTERMAN said that she couldn't answer.
CHAIR KOOKESH said that there were testifiers available.
2:12:39 PM
DEE HANSON, Executive Director of the Alaska Airman's
Association, said that the association is opposed to the federal
act, and explained why airplanes are so vital to Alaskans in
terms of everyday life. The proposed federal act will mean that
flying will become too expensive for many people who rely on it
and will negatively affect flying-related businesses.
2:15:53 PM
SENATOR COWDERY asked if Ms. Hanson had the committee substitute
before her.
She replied that she didn't.
SENATOR COWDERY said that the sponsor could explain the
differences.
2:16:37 PM
MS. CHRISTIANSEN said that the CS adds specific language
addressing the types of planes affected.
MS. HANSON said that no increase in fuel tax is a good thing for
Alaska, no matter the sort of plane.
2:18:18 PM
ANDREW CEBULA, Executive Vice-President of Government Affairs
for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), said that
the association urges the passage of the resolution; the federal
proposal is not good for the state of Alaska and its pilots and
it will be expensive and will reduce state control of airports.
He added that the user fees for the current aviation system are
sufficient for covering its costs. Currently one doesn't have to
pay a fee to fly; the FAA wants to assess fees simply for
flying. It will put congress in a reduced position of authority
over FAA expenditures. He mentioned that the federal bill will
cut airport spending by a million dollars, and Alaskan airports
shouldn't have to compete with airports across the country for
funding. He commented that Alaska Representative Don Young does
not support the federal act either.
2:22:12 PM
SENATOR WILKEN asked if Mr. Cebula is not against the FAA
initiative, but simply the way it is funded.
MR. CEBULA replied that he is only opposed to the way the act is
funded. The association has worked closely with testing the
Capstone aviation program in Alaska. The Department of
Transportation inspector general's office agrees that the
improvements needed for the FAA system can be done using the
existing tax structure.
SENATOR WILKEN asked how the money for needed aviation programs
will be provided if the increases are not approved.
MR. CEBULA replied that the existing system of fuel taxes can
provide the needed revenue for such projects.
SENATOR WILKEN asked if existing taxes could simply be increased
rather than looking for new donors.
MR. CEBULA replied that the existing rates would provide needed
revenue, and explained where current aviation taxes come from.
2:25:11 PM
SENATOR WILKEN commented that Senator Stevens supported the
Capstone program which has been successful in Alaska, and asked
if Alaska is being selfish in not wanting to pay increased
taxes.
MR. CEBULA replied that Alaska has been a great leader in
improving technology, and said that the state has been willing
to help rather than selfish. Alaska has a unique aviation
system, and by passing the resolution the state is saying that
it has concerns that would be echoed by a lot of other states.
SENATOR WILKEN said that the state has benefited a lot from
federal money, and that may put it in a bind regarding refusal
to increase taxes.
2:27:43 PM
TOM GEORGE, Alaska representative to the Aircraft Owners and
Pilots Association, said that the issue is not a matter of
Alaskans not wanting to pay; it's just that they're taking issue
with the new process. He explained how fees would change after
the act if it were passed, and how they could expand
significantly.
He added that the Capstone program was important to Alaska
because the state has a higher accident rate than the rest of
the country, but service charges shouldn't be increased at the
expense of aviation safety. Part of the federal act is
establishing a board, and that would reduce congressional
oversight. He asked that the committee support the resolution.
2:31:30 PM
WILFRED RYAN, president of the Alaska Air Carriers Association,
said that the users of the Alaskan air system already pay their
fair share of fees; the fuel tax doesn't benefit small carriers
like those in Alaska. The association opposes the elements of
the federal act.
2:34:43 PM
SENATOR COWDERY said that he would like to hold HJR 18.
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