Legislature(2019 - 2020)ADAMS 519
03/02/2020 09:00 AM House FINANCE
Note: the audio ![]()
and video ![]()
recordings are distinct records and are obtained from different sources. As such there may be key differences between the two. The audio recordings are captured by our records offices as the official record of the meeting and will have more accurate timestamps. Use the icons to switch between them.
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB186 | |
| HB223 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 79 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 30 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 186 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 223 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
March 2, 2020
9:04 a.m.
9:04:14 AM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Johnston called the House Finance Committee
meeting to order at 9:04 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Neal Foster, Co-Chair
Representative Jennifer Johnston, Co-Chair
Representative Dan Ortiz, Vice-Chair
Representative Ben Carpenter
Representative Andy Josephson
Representative Gary Knopp
Representative Kelly Merrick (via teleconference)
Representative Cathy Tilton
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Bart LeBon
Representative Colleen Sullivan-Leonard
Representative Adam Wool
ALSO PRESENT
Sara Perman, Staff, Representative Louise Stutes; Matt
Walker, State Traffic and Safety Engineer, Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities; Representative Laddie
Shaw, Sponsor; Josh Walton, Staff, Representative Laddie
Shaw.
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Katrina Hoffman, irene Webber's Daughter-In-Law, Cordova
SUMMARY
HB 186 NAMING IRENE WEBBER BRIDGE
HB 186 was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
HB 223 NAMING VIETNAM HELI. PILOTS' MEM. BRIDGE
HB 223 was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
Co-Chair Johnston reviewed the meeting agenda. She noted
that two bills had been removed from the agenda.
HOUSE BILL NO. 186
"An Act naming the irene Webber Bridge."
9:05:20 AM
SARA PERMAN, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE LOUISE STUTES,
introduced herself and provided an explanation of the bill.
The three line bill renamed an unidentified bridge in
Cordova, formally known by the Department of Transportation
and Public Facilities (DOT) as Bridge 406, Scott Glacier
Number 6, to the irene Webber Bridge. irene Webber passed
away in 2018, and the bridge would serve to remind
Cordovans of the legacy she left behind.
Ms. Perman provided detail about irene Webber. Irene was an
Alutiq woman. She was born in Ellemar, Alaska and later
moved to Cordova where she raised her family. She and her
husband and three children ran a seining operation in
Prince William Sound. She elaborated that Ms. Webber was
remembered as a runner who began running as an adult and as
her daughter Kim [Aspelund] put it, "running empowered and
invigorated her." In pursuing her passion, Ms. Webber
founded the Cordova Running Club and was integral to the
foundation of many running events. She is perhaps best
remembered as being the founder and the sole runner of the
first Cordova Salmon Run marathon in 1986. She expounded
that 33 years later, the run expanded to five different
races the King Salmon Marathon, the Sockeye Half
Marathon, Coho 10K, Humpy 5K and the Smooth One Mile Fun
Run. She highlighted that over 300 people attend the races
annually from around the world.
Ms. Perman continued to provide background information
about irene Webber. In addition to her work with the Alaska
Salmon Runs, Ms. Webber also was integral in creating the
Cancer 2x2 Walks in 2002. The event has raised more than
$100,000 for Cordovans seeking cancer treatment or
screenings. Ms. Webber was also involved in several other
philanthropic efforts such as supporting St. Jude's
Children's Hospital and the American Cancer Society.
Ms. Perman provided several anecdotes about Ms. Webber
shared by her daughter Kim. She detailed that on the boat
everyone knew that "Dad may be the captain, but mom was the
admiral." She elaborated that participation in the run had
started declining, but Ms. Webber started making homemade
clam chowder and the attendance soared. She was known in
Cordova as grandma irene. She noted that irene was spelled
with a lowercase "i."
Ms. Perman detailed that the bridge was located at 9.5 mile
on the road between Cordova and its airport. The bridge was
used by runners during the marathon and half marathon; it
was also near a recreation area used by families. Members'
packets included two resolutions from the City of Cordova
and the Native Village of Eyak in support of the bill. The
bill had a $9,680 fiscal note from DOT associated with
materials costs including signage, posts, and installation
materials such as sonotubes and concrete.
Co-Chair Johnston OPENED public testimony. She relayed
there was a representative from DOT available for
questions.
9:10:02 AM
AT EASE
9:10:11 AM
RECONVENED
KATRINA HOFFMAN, IRENE WEBBER'S DAUGHTER IN-LAW, CORDOVA
(via teleconference), provided prepared remarks about her
mother-in-law irene:
Thanks for allowing me the opportunity to provide
testimony on behalf of our family. irene spelled her
name with a little "i" and she had a diminutive figure
but there was nothing little about her
accomplishments. She was raised in the village of
Ellemar, near Tatitlek. She moved to Cordova and
raised a family of three children with her lifelong
love Bill Webber Sr, which resulted in ten
grandchildren and many great grandchildren, all of
whom either live in Alaska or have deep ties to it.
irene was a businesswoman, a good neighbor, a great
sourdough cook, and a doting grandmother. She was the
admiral on the family fishing vessel, overseeing
multiple generations of our family who together make
their living off commercial salmon fishing.
At her memorial service one of her grandsons,
Christopher, said he knew his grandmother to be two
people - wonderfully loving Grandma i and the
formidable deck boss whose word was law out on the
water. As my sister-in-law Kim would tell you, irene
committed to a practice late in life of running
marathons, which was especially important to her after
she found her sobriety and maintained it for many
years. She was the originator of the Wild Salmon runs
that are a key feature of the annual Salmon Jam Summer
Festival here in Cordova. That racecourse starts out
on the Copper River delta and heads back to town. On
that course, if you run the half marathon or marathon
you will cross this bridge at mile 9.5.
When we learned that this bridge was available to be
named, my husband and son and I drove out to the
location and just knew in our hearts this was the
right bridge to name after irene. There was abundant
fireweed blowing [by] the bridge. You look up the
Scott River and can see the Scott Glacier. People
recreate in the winter on ice skates and snow machines
up this river and in the summer on ATVs and fat tire
bikes on the trails that the Forest Service has
maintained. Just beyond the bridge is the 9-mile
sandpile where families gather for barbeques, birthday
parties, water play, dune jumping, sandcastle
building, and it's very fitting that a place that
brings joy to so many people would be able to be named
after irene, who brought joy to many people herself.
When irene would pass you in town she'd say "see you
on the road," because people would pass her driving in
their cars and she would be out there running. I am
happy to speak in favor of House Bill 186 with the
support of the Webber family. We would be deeply
grateful if you took action to rename Bridge 406 the
irene Webber Bridge with a little "i."
Co-Chair Johnston noted that Representative Merrick was
online.
Co-Chair Johnston CLOSED public testimony.
Representative Carpenter asked DOT to speak to the cost of
the fiscal note. He had seen many signs on bridges, and he
did not know whether there was a standard installation
method. He wondered if there was something specifying the
need to use sonotubes. He asked if the only way to put a
sign at the location would cost $9,000.
MATT WALKER, STATE TRAFFIC AND SAFETY ENGINEER, DEPARTMENT
OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES, answered that he
had not personally visited the site and did not know the
specific site conditions. He reported that sonotubes were
regularly used in the installation of signs, specifically,
signs of the size included in the fiscal note. He explained
the sign needed to be a certain size because of the speed
of the road.
Representative Carpenter asked how the department had
determined the size and cost of the signage. He asked if
someone had visited the location or whether an assumption
had been made based on how the process was always done.
Mr. Walker replied that he had not been involved in the
cost breakdown. He reported that the sign would need to be
retroreflective. Additionally, letters on the memorial sign
needed to be a certain height, which would dictate the size
of the sign.
9:16:38 AM
Representative Knopp asked if there were currently signs at
the bridge. He asked if there were sonotubes and posts
currently in place.
Mr. Walker replied that he did not know what was currently
on site.
Representative Knopp shared that he had success in getting
a bill passed that renamed a road. He reported that DOT had
submitted fiscal note of about $1,900. He elaborated that
after going through all of the details, the cost had been
reduced to approximately $350 because there had been
existing posts and sonotubes. He reasoned that if there
were already existing posts, the fiscal note seemed to be
over inflated. He supported the bill but noted the validity
of Representative Carpenter's question. He discussed
various ways signs could be posted.
Co-Chair Johnston communicated that it would be helpful to
have a follow up on the fiscal note prior to the next bill
hearing.
HB 186 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
HOUSE BILL NO. 223
"An Act naming the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots' Memorial
Bridge."
9:18:30 AM
REPRESENTATIVE LADDIE SHAW, SPONSOR, addressed the bill
with prepared remarks:
Thank you for taking the time to hear House Bill 223,
entitled "An Act naming the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots'
Memorial Bridge."
This is a topic that is very close to my heart, as I
served two tours in Vietnam.
Representative Shaw shared a framed photograph taken 50
years earlier coming back from an operation in Vietnam. The
photograph showed a helicopter dropping off wounded Navy
Seals and himself. He was honored to have Tom Studler
[staff to Representative Dave Talerico] in the audience,
who had been a Vietnam helicopter pilot and had served in
the delta at the same time as he had.
Representative Shaw relayed that he was honored to be
invited to be an associate member of the Vietnam Helicopter
Pilots Association as a Vietnam veteran and as a certified
helicopter pilot. He continued with prepared remarks:
I should note that this bill was the idea of
Representative Cathy Tilton. She very graciously
offered to have me introduce it and carry it, knowing
my personal connection to the subject. I really
appreciate her graciousness.
I would also like to acknowledge the work on this bill
done by Representative Tilton's staff, Heath Hilyard.
Heath did the bulk of the legwork on this bill, and
his work is greatly appreciated.
Lastly, I'd like to express my appreciation of the
reception this bill has received so far particularly
that every veteran in the House signed on as a co-
sponsor at introduction. I'm deeply honored by that.
With that, I'd like to tell you about my experience,
and why I'm so glad to have the opportunity to present
this legislation to you?
Representative Shaw continued with prepared remarks:
Vietnam was called the Helicopter War. During the
Vietnam War the United States relied on the helicopter
as never before. The helicopter's role in combat
expanded enormously in this conflict as thousands of
choppers rapidly transported personnel throughout the
warzone. Heavily armed helicopters offered a fearsome
component to ground operations. As close air support,
mobility and fire power would be the keys for American
operations in Vietnam, and the helicopter provided an
abundance of both. But the role of the helicopter in
support of activities in the Vietnam War must not be
overlooked, as thousands of missions were flown to
resupply, reinforce troops on the ground, to evacuate
Americans and South Vietnamese wounded, and to offer
countless other services in pursuance of the war
effort.
The UH-1 or better known as the Huey, was the symbol
of the American war in Vietnam. Indeed, the Vietnam
War was the Helicopter War. As a side note, there were
nearly 12,000 helicopters that flew combat or support
missions in Vietnam. Over 5,000 were destroyed. There
was a helicopter casualty rate of 45 percent. There
are 58,000 names on the wall in Vietnam; 8 percent of
those are helicopter pilots and crew. Forty thousand
helo pilots served in Vietnam. I'm honored to have
flown with them and I very much appreciate your
support on this bill.
Representative Shaw asked his staff to review the specifics
of the legislation.
9:22:21 AM
JOSH WALTON, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE LADDIE SHAW, explained
that the bill would name bridge numbers 1124 and 1889 -
spanning the Matanuska River northbound and southbound at
mile 30.4 of the Glenn Highway - the Vietnam Helicopter
Pilots' Memorial Bridge. He noted there were two bridges in
close proximity to each other in the area. He elaborated
that when heading out of Anchorage towards Mat-Su the first
bridge is the Bondsteel Bridge, which the bill would not
change. The bill pertained to the second bridge, which was
a bit farther north and was currently unnamed. The bill
would rename the unnamed bridge the Vietnam Helicopter
Pilots' Memorial Bridge.
Mr. Walton noted that members' packets included photos from
Google Maps identifying the bridges. He referenced an
academic article included in members' packets about the
role helicopters served and how the helicopter came of age.
The backup materials also included a few contemporary
articles illustrating the role pilots served and some of
the challenges they had encountered when their
accomplishments had been recognized after the Vietnam War.
Mr. Walton highlighted that the bill had the support of
Lynn Kile, president of the Alaska chapter of the Vietnam
Helicopter Pilots Association. He noted that Mr. Kile would
be available to provide testimony and answer questions if
requested at a subsequent hearing on the bill. He relayed
that the bill had received a letter of support from the
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Commissioner
Major General Torrence Saxe. He concluded his remarks and
was available for questions and offered to provide a
sectional analysis if requested.
9:25:37 AM
Representative Tilton shared that she was honored and
appreciative that Representative Shaw had brought the bill
forward. She detailed that she was a daughter,
granddaughter, and wife of Vietnam veterans and felt
particularly connected to the legislation. She shared that
the location of the bridge was suitable because it spanned
where the largest population of Vietnam veterans resided -
Mat-Su and Anchorage. She noted that the existing Sargant
James Bondsteel Bridge was significant because he was a
Vietnam veteran who had earned a medal of honor. She read a
statement:
There are brave Alaskans who gave their "last full
measure of devotion" flying or serving on helicopters
during the Vietnam War (source:virtualwall.com):
• Chief Warrant Officer Lloyd Rainey (Anchorage)
Pilot, age 33
• Warrant Officer William Duncan (Anchorage) Pilot,
age 22
• Chief Warrant Officer William Walters (Anchorage)
Pilot, age 24
• Specialist Richard Bauer (Anchorage) Crew, age 19
• Warrant Officer David Lape (Cordova) Pilot, age 23
• Warrant Officer William Childers (Fairbanks)
Pilot, age 21
• Specialist David Ferry (Fairbanks) Crew, age 24
• Specialist Kurt Int-Hout (Kodiak) Crew, age 20
• Warrant Officer Frederick Simeonoff (Spenard)
Pilot, age 22
Representative Tilton elaborated that the Alaskan men she
had listed gave their lives at very young ages. She
believed there was no better way to honor them.
Representative Carpenter noted that there were multiple
bills being considered that would rename bridges and the
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT)
had submitted fiscal notes with different price tags. He
requested to hear why there was a cost disparity between
the posting of signs included in the two bills heard during
the meeting. He noted the cost of $9,000 in one bill and
$6,000 in the current bill. He did not believe the
difference made sense. He supported the bill and believed
the bridge naming was well-deserved.
Co-Chair Johnston asked if DOT would like to address the
fiscal note.
Representative Carpenter restated his question. He noted
that two bridges were shown at $6,000 and one was $9,000.
He asked why there was a cost disparity.
MATT WALKER, STATE TRAFFIC AND SAFETY ENGINEER, DEPARTMENT
OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES, answered that
there were two signs for both directions on the irene
Webber Bridge and two signs for both directions on the
Glenn Highway for the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots' Memorial
Bridge. There was a cost difference between the two. He
speculated that there may be more information available on
the site conditions on the Glenn Highway bridge because it
was more easily accessible. He did not believe the fiscal
notes included cost for labor or installation. He did not
know the precise reason for the disparity. He offered to
follow up on the question.
Representative Carpenter requested a follow up on the
question. He thought $6,000 to $9,000 for two signs seemed
high.
HB 223 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
Co-Chair Johnston reviewed the agenda for the following
day.
ADJOURNMENT
9:31:54 AM
The meeting was adjourned at 9:31 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 223 DMVA Support Letter 2.11.2020.pdf |
HFIN 3/2/2020 9:00:00 AM |
HB 223 |
| Sponsor Statement HB 186 vM 02.06.2020.pdf |
HFIN 3/2/2020 9:00:00 AM |
HB 186 |