Legislature(2011 - 2012)BUTROVICH 205
02/09/2012 01:00 PM Senate TRANSPORTATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB131 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 131 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 131-COMMUNITY AND TRANSPORTATION ADV. BOARD
1:06:02 PM
CHAIR KOOKESH announced the consideration of HB 131, 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. [CSHB
131(TRA)am, 27-LS0418\B.A, was before the committee.]
1:06:38 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CATHY MUNOZ, sponsor of HB 131, stated that the
bill will give a voice to seniors and people with disabilities
in transportation planning. It creates a community and
transportation advisory board to help state, federal, and local
agencies that provide community-based transportation services.
She noted that about 50 federally-funded programs send money
into Alaska for transportation programs.
REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ stated that public and community
transportation connects a community and supports development.
Transportation services in the Juneau community are provided by
Capital Transit, Southeast Alaskans Independent Living (SAIL),
and Care-A-Van. She highlighted the importance of coordinating
the efforts of the various transportation organizations to avoid
duplication, provide better service, save money, and be more
efficient.
Organizations that have stated support for HB 131 include the
Alaska Mobility Coalition, the Governor's Council on
Disabilities and Special Education, the Advisory Board on
Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, the Alaska Commission on Aging, the
Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, the Alaska Brain Injury
Network, the Alaska Suicide Prevention Council, and the American
Association of Retired Persons (AARP).
REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ shared a story to illustrate the need, and
concluded that the advisory board will work to find solutions to
maintain and better the public transportation in Alaska.
1:07:56 PM
SENATOR THOMAS joined the meeting.
SENATOR MENARD asked what the Governor's Coordinated
Transportation Task Force had achieved.
REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ responded that this was a new effort that
specifically recommends establishing a board to provide input
into the transportation process for the Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF). She suggested the
committee consider extending the 2016 sunset to match the five-
year federal highway reauthorization that is currently under
debate in Congress.
SENATOR MENARD asked if consideration was given to hiring
professional staff to help the advisory board.
REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ replied the current DOTPF staff will be
able to accommodate this effort.
1:11:06 PM
SENATOR HUGGINS stated support for HB 131.
SENATOR MENARD asked if the Governor supported the bill.
REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ replied she didn't want to speak for the
Governor, but a representative from DOTPF was available.
1:11:55 PM
JEFF OTTESEN, Director, Program Development, Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF), said he was also
chair of the Governor's Coordinated Transportation Task Force.
Speaking in that capacity, he said he wanted to point out three
things - the need, the money involved, and why coordination is
important.
The task force and the consultant's effort determined that 11
percent of Alaskans are in need of coordinated transportation.
That represents 80,000 people and the number is growing.
Alaska's senior population is growing faster than any other
state and the percent of veterans is also the highest of any
state. Some are returning with disabilities so they too are part
of this audience.
At least $80 million has been identified as being at stake. If
that money can be used more efficiently and effectively it will
ultimately result in a lower cost service that is delivered in a
better way.
MR. OTTESEN said money flows to the state in many different
federal programs and DOTPF in turn passes the money down to
local agencies and nonprofits that are delivering the services.
However, it's fairly difficult to get coordination when the
matrix is so large and includes federal, state and local
agencies as well as local nonprofit and tribal organizations.
DOTPF has made some progress in the past 12 years but what's
needed is "some way to nudge all these different organizations
to pull the oar on the same beat in the same direction."
CHAIR KOOKESH opened public testimony.
1:15:23 PM
JENNIFER BECKMANN, Alaska Mobility Coalition, said she was also
the executive director of a nonprofit that provides public
transportation in the central Kenai Peninsula and served on the
Governors Coordinated Transportation Task Force. She stated that
the money currently spent on transportation in this state could
be spent more effectively with coordination.
CAMILLE FERGUSON, Alaska Mobility Coalition, said she was
pleased to have served on the Governors Coordinated
Transportation Task Force and as a result of that work she and
the other members could see the value of coordination. There is
$80 million worth of transportation in the state yet there are
unmet needs, largely due to the inefficiencies of coordination.
SENATOR MENARD asked what would be the first task this advisory
board would tackle.
MS. BECKMAN replied she believes it would be to open the lines
of communication between all the departments within the state
that receive federal transportation funds.
1:18:27 PM
MARIE DARLIN, AARP, noted that the packets should contain the
letter of support that AARP submitted last year. She stated that
when both AARP and the Commission on Aging meet in different
locations statewide, transportation is one the biggest concerns
because there is no coordination. Juneau has a well-coordinated
transportation system, but this is not common in other areas. HB
131 provides an opportunity for all areas to look at
coordination and how to better serve residents. It's a statewide
concern.
1:20:06 PM
CHAIR KOOKESH introduced Sophie Clark. She is from Craig and a
junior in high school.
CHAIR KOOKESH closed public testimony. Finding no discussion he
stated his desire to move the bill and asked for a motion.
1:20:49 PM
SENATOR MENARD moved to report CS for HB 131 from committee with
individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s).
CHAIR KOOKESH announced that without objection CSHB 131(TRA)am
moved from the Senate Transportation Standing Committee.
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