02/15/2007 01:30 PM House TRANSPORTATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB102 | |
| HJR8 | |
| HB8 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 102 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 126 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HJR 8 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 8 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
February 15, 2007
1:34 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Mark Neuman, Vice Chair
Representative Craig Johnson
Representative Vic Kohring
Representative Mike Doogan
Representative Woodie Salmon
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Kyle Johansen, Chair
Representative Anna Fairclough
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 102
"An Act relating to vacating lanes or slowing down for certain
vehicles stopped along the side of a road."
- MOVED HB 102 OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 8
Opposing the enactment by the Washington State Legislature of a
bill proposing to impose a fee on the processing of shipping
containers in the State of Washington because of the negative
impact of the fee on the people and the economy of this state.
- MOVED CSHJR 8(TRA) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 8
"An Act naming the law enforcement training facility in
Fairbanks the J. Kevin Lamm Law Enforcement Training Facility."
- HEARD AND HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 126
"An Act relating to driver's licenses and permits, commercial
driver's licenses, and other motor vehicle laws; relating to the
driver's license compact; and providing for an effective date."
- BILL HEARING CANCELED
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 102
SHORT TITLE: PASSING STATIONARY VEHICLES
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) COGHILL
01/22/07 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/22/07 (H) TRA, JUD
02/15/07 (H) TRA AT 1:30 PM CAPITOL 17
BILL: HJR 8
SHORT TITLE: WASHINGTON CONTAINER FEE
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) THOMAS
02/07/07 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/07/07 (H) TRA, L&C
02/15/07 (H) TRA AT 1:30 PM CAPITOL 17
BILL: HB 8
SHORT TITLE: J. KEVIN LAMM TRAINING FACILITY
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) RAMRAS
01/16/07 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/5/07
01/16/07 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/16/07 (H) TRA
02/15/07 (H) TRA AT 1:30 PM CAPITOL 17
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN COGHILL
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of HB 102.
KAREN LIDSTER, Staff
to Representative John Coghill
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information on HB 102.
RODNEY DIAL, Lieutenant, Deputy Commander
A Attachment
Division of Alaska State Troopers
Alaska Department of Public Safety
Ketchikan, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 102.
VERNON MARSHALL, Lobbyist
for Public Safety Employees Association
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 102.
REPRESENTATIVE BILL THOMAS
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of HJR 8.
RANDY RUARO, Staff
to Representative Kyle Johansen
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented the committee substitute (CS) for
HJR 8, Version 25-LS0533\C, Bullock, 2/12/07.
EVERETT BILLINGSLEY, Attorney
for Lynden Family of Companies
Seattle, Washington
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HJR 8.
BILL DEAVAR, President and COO
Totem Ocean Trailer Express (TOTE)
Auburn, Washington
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HJR 8.
AVES THOMPSON, Executive Director
Alaska Trucking Association
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HJR 8.
PAUL FUHS, Lobbyist
for Horizon Shipping Lines
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HJR 8.
DON KUBLEY, Lobbyist
for Sampson Tug and Barge
International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots
Marine Engineers Beneficial Association
Alaska International Marketing
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HJR 8.
JANE PIERSON, Staff
to Representative Jay Ramras
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented sponsor statement for HB 8.
MATTHEW SODEN
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Drawing upon his experience as a police
officer, testified in support of HB 8.
JAMES JANKE
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Based upon his experience as a law
enforcement official, testified in support of a new law
enforcement training facility for Interior Alaska and naming it
after Kevin Lamm.
ACTION NARRATIVE
VICE CHAIR MARK NEUMAN called the House Transportation Standing
Committee meeting to order at 1:34:31 PM. Representatives
Neuman, Salmon, Doogan, and Johnson were present at the call to
order. Representative Kohring arrived as the meeting was in
progress.
HB 102-PASSING STATIONARY VEHICLES
1:35:11 PM
VICE CHAIR NEUMAN announced that the first order of business
would be HOUSE BILL NO. 102, "An Act relating to vacating lanes
or slowing down for certain vehicles stopped along the side of a
road."
1:36:03 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN COGHILL, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor,
presented HB 102. He explained that under current law regarding
highways with two or more lanes in the same direction, a driver
approaching emergency vehicles performing official duties shall
pull over or slow to a prudent speed. This language is creating
enforcement problems. Also, the current law does not address
single lane highways. He said HB 102 cleans up the current
statute by describing a two-lane situation in which a driver
must pull over if possible and a single-lane situation in which
a driver must slow down. This provides a safety zone and a
method for making violations of the safety zone punishable in
court.
1:37:59 PM
KAREN LIDSTER, Staff to Representative John Coghill, Alaska
State Legislature, reiterated that the purpose of HB 102 is to
clean up the current law's language and ensure the protection of
law enforcement officials and emergency service providers. She
directed attention to a written statement of support from the
Public Safety Employees Association and a resolution from the
Alaska Association of Chiefs of Police. She also noted the
presence of Lauren Rice, Special Assistant with the Department
of Public Safety.
1:39:27 PM
VICE CHAIR NEUMAN asked who contacted Representative Coghill's
office regarding this issue.
MS. LIDSTER responded that Representative Coghill was contacted
by an individual who was given a ticket between North Pole and
Fairbanks. Her first contact, she said, was with the City of
Fairbanks Chief of Police, Daniel Hoffman. She relayed that
Chief Hoffman felt the intent of the law is to protect emergency
providers and law enforcement personnel by requiring passing
drivers to first choose moving into another lane if safe to do
so "or" to slow down if changing lanes is not possible. Moving
to the farthest lane if possible is the safest first choice for
the emergency personnel on the highway. However, the word "or"
makes the law unenforceable because it gives drivers no need to
first choose the farthest lane when it is safe to do so on a
highway with two lanes going in the same direction.
1:41:53 PM
RODNEY DIAL, Lieutenant, Deputy Commander, A Attachment,
Division of Alaska State Troopers, Department of Public Safety,
stated that the department fully supports HB 102. He pointed
out that 30 states have similar laws, referred to as "move over
laws", which are intended to protect police, fire, and emergency
service personnel. He cited national statistics that show 30
percent of all crashes occur as the result of another crash.
Giving emergency responders plenty of room reduces the chance
that another collision will occur. This issue, he emphasized,
is important for the public, too, because for every minute that
a freeway lane is closed or a two lane road is closed, it takes
an average of four additional minutes for traffic to recover and
this accounts for about 60 percent of urban congestion. Over
the past 10 years, he reported, approximately 471 police
officers nationwide have died in traffic-related accidents,
including about 146 who were struck by vehicles. He further
noted that FBI statistics show traffic crashes now claim the
lives of more police personnel than any other cause of death in
the line of duty, including shootings, with 13 officers being
struck and killed last year while they worked outside of their
vehicles.
1:44:10 PM
VICE CHAIR NEUMAN asked what procedures are employed by the
department to ensure trooper safety when they pull over a
vehicle.
LIEUTENANT DIAL explained that officers are trained at the
Department of Public Safety Academy to park vehicles in a manner
that offsets the vehicle just slightly into the traffic lane.
This provides a little bit of a barrier for oncoming cars so
that they have to move slightly over to the left with the idea
that either the police vehicle or the vehicle in front of it
would be hit before the officer. Also, he said, officers are
equipped with various warning devices such as lights, flares,
and reflective equipment.
1:45:29 PM
VERNON MARSHALL, Lobbyist for the Public Safety Employees
Association (PSEA), Juneau, stated that the PSEA supports the
bill and has provided a position paper to the committee. He
said the bill corrects a technical error and will promote the
protection of public safety officers, as well as the public,
when dealing with an accident or conducting an enforcement
action.
1:47:02 PM
VICE CHAIR NEUMAN, after ascertaining that no one else wished to
testify, closed public testimony. He then took the opportunity
to note that Representative Ramras's amendment last year to [AS
28.35.185(a)] added "tow trucks" to the list of emergency, fire,
and law enforcement vehicles for which this law applies. He
pointed out that tow truck drivers brought this issue forward,
and allowing the public to come to legislators with
recommendations is an important part of what the legislature
does.
1:47:58 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON moved to report HB 102 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
notes. There being no objection, HB 102 was reported from the
House Transportation Standing Committee.
HJR 8 - WASHINGTON CONTAINER FEE
1:48:48 PM
VICE CHAIR NEUMAN announced that the next order of business
would be HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 8, Opposing the enactment by
the Washington State Legislature of a bill proposing to impose a
fee on the processing of shipping containers in the State of
Washington because of the negative impact of the fee on the
people and the economy of this state.
1:49:04 PM
REPRESENTATIVE BILL THOMAS, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor,
outlined Alaska's dependence upon goods shipped from ports in
the state of Washington. In 2003, Alaska was the fifth largest
trading partner out of Washington, accounting for about 103,500
jobs and $4 billion in income to that state. Currently before
the Washington State Senate, he explained, is Senate Bill 5207
which would impose a fee of $50 per each 20-foot shipping van or
its equivalent each time it enters and again as it exits any
port in that state, regardless of whether the container is full
or empty. Port terminal operators in Washington would receive
10 percent of the fees collected and the remaining 90 percent
would go to the State of Washington. He said he opposes this
tax because he believes it will devastate the residents and the
commercial fishermen in Alaska communities by adding as much as
10 percent to the cost of moving goods. Representative Thomas
further noted that 97 percent by weight and 60 percent by value
of all goods shipped to Alaska are shipped by water. He asked
the committee to support the resolution so it could be sent to
the Washington State Legislature.
1:52:57 PM
VICE CHAIR NEUMAN asked how much of the gross product used or
consumed in Alaska is imported.
REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS estimated that for his home town of
Haines, 90-97 percent of the goods arrive by marine van.
VICE CHAIR NEUMAN inquired as to whether truckers driving up via
the Alcan Highway would be affected.
REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS said that he did not know, but that a
trucker hauling a [marine] van that had been put onto the truck
trailer would be affected.
1:54:13 PM
VICE CHAIR NEUMAN noted that the tax will increase the costs to
every person in the state of Alaska for nearly every item
purchased.
REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS reiterated his statement that 97 percent
by weight and 60 percent by value of all goods shipped to Alaska
are shipped to Alaska by marine van.
1:54:56 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON moved to adopt the proposed committee
substitute (CS) for HJR 8, Version 25-LS0533\C, Bullock,
2/12/07, as the work draft. There being no objection, Version C
was before the committee.
REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS advised the committee that he had no
objection to the amendments proposed in the CS.
1:55:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON suggested that Alaska implement a $100
per container tax for the empty vans returning to Washington.
REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS responded that he is not ready to
retaliate because he is hoping the State of Washington will
either kill the bill or sit on it.
1:56:31 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON related his assumption that most or all
of the containers that come to Alaska go back to Washington.
REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS answered yes. The fee is $100 for a 40-
foot van or equivalent both in and out of Washington for a
total tax of $200, and that's why it is so devastating. He said
one of the shippers he is working with predicts the tax will
increase the cost of goods to Alaska by as much as 10 percent.
1:56:57 PM
VICE CHAIR NEUMAN observed that the cost would be even higher
for a 53-foot van which is used more often than 40-foot vans for
shipments to Alaska.
1:57:01 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON asked whether the tax is only for vans
coming to Alaska or for everything that goes out of Washington
ports.
REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS related his understanding that Washington
is trying to target vans coming from and going to Japan and
China, and that Washington failed to take into consideration the
impact the tax would have on Alaska.
1:57:32 PM
VICE CHAIR NEUMAN read an e-mail he received from a constituent
in Prudhoe Bay suggesting that the State of Alaska impose a 25
cent tax per barrel of oil shipped to Washington. The
constituent said that this works out to be $100 for the volume
of oil that it would take to fill a standard 40-foot container.
1:58:30 PM
REPRESENTATIVE DOOGAN queried whether Representative Thomas has
given any consideration to what Alaska might do if Washington
does not come to its senses after receiving HJR 8.
REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS quipped that he had, but only jokingly,
such as a tax on oil shipped to Cherry Point, Washington.
1:59:49 PM
VICE CHAIR NEUMAN related that Washington State Senator Haugen,
sponsor of SB 5207, has purportedly stated that she would not
proceed with her bill unless California also passes similar
legislation.
2:00:18 PM
RANDY RUARO, Staff to Representative Kyle Johansen, Alaska State
Legislature, reviewed page 2, lines 26-31, of the CS where
language was added urging the attorney general to commence
researching some of the issues that are involved with imposing a
container tax. He said Legislative Legal and Research Services
has advised him that there are numerous potential legal issues
with such a tax, including an import/export clause in the United
States Constitution. Mr. Ruaro reported that the attorney
general has said he does not have any problems with the
amendment language or the research request.
2:02:17 PM
EVERETT BILLINGSLEY, Attorney for the Lynden Family of
Companies, testified that Lynden strongly supports HJR 8 and is
particularly pleased with the CS because it addresses the
questions about the constitutionality of the proposed tax. He
pointed out that Lynden is actively working in the Washington
State Legislature in opposition to [SB 5207]. He stated that
the tax would be $132.50, each way, on the 53-foot containers
used by Lynden. He conveyed that the Washington Legislature is
looking for money to pay for freight mobility infrastructure,
roads and rail, used for moving containers through Washington
and on to the other Lower 48 states. The impact on Alaska was
an unintended consequence because most containers return from
Alaska empty, he said.
MR. BILLINGSLEY emphasized that because the majority of goods
shipped to Alaska move through Washington ports, essentially all
of Alaska's goods will be subject to the tax. Alaska has very
few alternatives to using Washington ports and this will cause a
disproportionate impact. The Washington State Legislature and
governor need to hear about this disproportionate impact and HJR
8 accomplishes that goal. He pointed out that last year Lynden
Transport and Alaska Marine Lines together moved roughly 124,000
20-foot equivalent units (TEU) between Washington and Alaska.
Had the tax been in effect, Lynden customers would have incurred
an additional $6.2 million in costs. This equates to a rate
increase of 10 percent or more depending upon the commodity and
the destination, he declared.
MR. BILLINGSLEY advised that California is contemplating
introduction of a similar tax there. He said if that happens,
it will be as devastating to Hawaiian residents as it is for
Alaskans. He urged the Alaska State Legislature to contact
California officials as well as Washington officials.
2:05:56 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON inquired as to whether Alaska currently
pays any taxes on containers coming from Washington.
MR. BILLINGSLEY said he is not aware of any. He then addressed
a previous question regarding truck traffic, saying that most
truck trailers are hauled to Anchorage, Alaska, aboard Roll-
on/Roll-off ships and these trailers would be subject to the
proposed tax. He said a small amount of truck traffic still
goes over the Alcan Highway, about two or three loads a week.
2:06:35 PM
BILL DEAVAR, President and COO, Totem Ocean Trailer Express
(TOTE), offered TOTE's strong support for HJR 8. He said that
TOTE testified before the Washington State Senate Transportation
Committee opposing SB 5207 primarily because of the impact it
would have upon the state of Alaska. He reported that TOTE
moves about 200,000 TEU annually which would equate to an
approximate $10 million impact on TOTE's customers and to
residents of the Alaska Railbelt Region. He estimated that the
total tax impact for all of Alaska would be $40 million. He
also commented that the truck traffic moving up the Alcan
Highway would not have this tax imposed upon them because it
only affects containers and trailers moved across docks in
Washington. He noted agreement that the impact to Alaska is an
unintended consequence of SB 5207, similar to the impact to
Hawaii, which will likely be impacted three-and-a-half times
greater than Alaska. He said TOTE is continuing to meet with
members of the Washington State Legislature.
2:09:42 PM
VICE CHAIR NEUMAN asked how close the Washington State
Legislature is to passing SB 5207.
MR. DEAVAR recounted that at the hearings the vast majority of
people testifying, particularly the international lines, opposed
the tax. The ports are very concerned, he reported, because the
tax could cause international carriers to divert to either
Vancouver or Prince Rupert, British Columbia, and maybe
California if that state does not pass a similar tax. He said
the sentiment he is hearing is that the Senate side of the
Washington State Legislature is intent on pushing some kind of
tax and that Senator Haugen is asking opponents of her bill to
come up with other suggestions for generating a revenue stream
to fund infrastructure projects. The Washington Senate
Transportation Committee has agreed to reduce the tax from $50
to $30 per TEU. This would reduce the total impact to Alaska
from $40 million to $24 million, he said, but that would still
be an onerous expense to Alaskans.
VICE CHAIR NEUMAN requested Mr. Deavar to relay to Senator
Haugen his suggestion, as an alternative to the tax, for her to
push harder for opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
2:12:03 PM
MR. DEAVAR commented that that idea is being heard frequently.
He then informed the committee that the trade imbalance for the
Alaska Railbelt, the region served by TOTE, is 10 to 1 for
every 10 trailers of merchandise moved north by TOTE there is
only one trailer of cargo moved south. That one trailer of
southbound cargo is generally household goods, fish, and some
military. He said he agrees with a previous statement that the
imposition of this tax is on a roundtrip basis, this adds
significantly to the cost of merchandise moving to Alaska.
VICE CHAIR NEUMAN asked who would collect the fee.
MR. DEAVAR reported that, as the bill is currently written,
Washington's terminal operators would be responsible for
collecting the tax and sending 90 percent of it to the State of
Washington. Terminal operators would retain the other 10
percent to pay for their administrative expenses.
2:13:56 PM
AVES THOMPSON, Executive Director, Alaska Trucking Association
(ATA), presented the association's support of HJR 8. He said
ATA is concerned about the impact of the proposed tax on
Alaska's citizens. The $30-40 million annual impact is "a huge
hit" and will definitely increase the cost of living in Alaska.
The majority of ATA's freight to Alaska is through Washington
ports, he continued, and this has provided thousands of jobs and
millions of dollars in revenue to Washington's ports and
citizens. He acknowledged Washington's need for revenue to
provide infrastructure improvements, but he said ATA is urging
the state to find another way to raise that revenue.
2:16:31 PM
PAUL FUHS, Lobbyist for Horizon Shipping Lines, agreed that
there is no question this is a tax on all Alaskans because there
is no place in Alaska that is not served by container. He said
80 percent of Horizon's cargo comes by container through the
Port of Anchorage and is then shipped over land. He pointed out
that shipping is an extremely competitive trade, partly because
of the new structure of marketing and distribution in Alaska
through Costco, Wal-Mart, and other big carriers who base their
commitments on the cost effectiveness of shipping. There is no
margin left because it is so competitive, he asserted, and this
tax cost will be passed on directly to every Alaskan. He said
Horizon Shipping Lines supports HJR 8 and urges Alaska's
administration to also weigh in on the issue.
2:17:49 PM
VICE CHAIR NEUMAN commented that whenever new taxes are imposed,
it offers businesses another opportunity to raise prices.
MR. FUHS agreed and stated that the extreme competition between
the big stores has brought the margins down, so they will pass
the cost on to the consumer. He further agreed with Vice Chair
Neuman that smaller businesses will be hit even harder. He also
concurred with previous statements about it being a
disproportionate tax on Alaska.
2:19:01 PM
REPRESENTATIVE DOOGAN inquired as to whether Mr. Fuhs agreed
with the previously stated total cost estimate to Alaskans of
$30-$40 million.
MR. FUHS said yes, because a minimum of 200,000 40-foot
containers are shipped to Alaska each year. At a roundtrip tax
of $200 that is $40 million.
2:19:44 PM
DON KUBLEY, Lobbyist for Sampson Tug and Barge; International
Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots; Marine Engineers
Beneficial Association; and Alaska International Marketing,
commended Representative Thomas for writing HJR 8 and said the
organizations he is representing strongly support the
resolution.
2:20:59 PM
VICE CHAIR NEUMAN, after ascertaining no one else wished to
testify, closed public testimony.
2:21:08 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SALMON asked whether lobbyists could be sent to
the Washington State Legislature to oppose the bill.
REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS responded that it could be done, but that
it would add a fiscal note which would delay the resolution's
passage. He said the issue is getting a lot of press in
Washington and that he would send one of his staff members to
testify before the Washington State Legislature if necessary.
REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS then directed the committee's attention to
letters of support from the National Federation of Independent
Business/Alaska and Ocean Beauty Seafoods, Inc. and to
Resolution 2007-001 supporting HJR 8 from the Alaska State
Chamber of Commerce.
2:23:13 PM
REPRESENTATIVE DOOGAN inquired whether the zero fiscal note for
the original HJR 8 would remain the same for the CS.
MR. RUARO responded that the Department of Law has advised him
that there would not be a fiscal impact.
2:24:03 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON moved to report the proposed CS for HJR
8, Version 25-LS0533\C, Bullock, 2/12/07, out of committee with
individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes.
There being no objection, CSHJR 8(TRA) was reported from the
House Transportation Standing Committee.
HB 8 - J. KEVIN LAMM TRAINING FACILITY
2:25:48 PM
VICE CHAIR NEUMAN announced that the final order of business
would be HOUSE BILL NO. 8, "An Act naming the law enforcement
training facility in Fairbanks the J. Kevin Lamm Law Enforcement
Training Facility."
2:26:36 PM
JANE PIERSON, Staff to Representative Jay Ramras, Alaska State
Legislature, presented the sponsor statement. She explained
that Interior Alaska is in desperate need of a new law
enforcement training facility. Due to expansion of airport
facilities and runway extensions at the Fairbanks International
Airport on which the Don Bennett Firing Range is located, a
conflict is being created that will soon slate this range for
destruction. She pointed out that over 30 agencies share the
antiquated range. Today, she said, when an officer goes for
weapons requalification, he or she must tamp stakes into the
ground for the target, staple the silhouette to the stake, pace
back 15 yards, draw a line in the dirt or snow, and then proceed
firing and that is provided there is not a plane coming in for
a landing. If a plane comes in, then all firing must stop until
the plane lands, and this is not very conducive to time-shoots.
She stressed that it is imperative to take care of the basic
training needs of the men and women hired to protect Alaskans.
MS. PIERSON conveyed that HB 8 will name the new proposed law
enforcement training facility after fallen Fairbanks Police
Department Patrol Officer John "Kevin" Lamm. Kevin was born to
be a police officer, she said. He graduated from the Alaska
Department of Public Safety Academy in Sitka and went to work
for the North Pole Police Department. He next did a short stint
with the University Police Department and then joined the
Fairbanks Police Department in March 1995. She pointed out that
Kevin was known at the Fairbanks Police Department for being an
excellent officer both in the field and for the way he dealt
with people. She disclosed that Kevin and his wife Holly were
married only [twelve] days before his death. Kevin was an
officer that other officers wanted to emulate. For these
reasons, she said, she is requesting that the committee support
naming the proposed new law enforcement training facility in
Fairbanks the J. Kevin Lamm Law Enforcement Training Facility.
2:29:23 PM
VICE CHAIR NEUMAN recognized the importance of citizen support
for legislative actions and asked if Ms. Pierson had a list of
persons or organizations who had written their support.
MS. PIERSON said she did not have a list per se, but that in the
committee's packets were letters from the Farthest North Chapter
of the Alaska Peace Officers Association, Fairbanks City Mayor
Steve Thompson, Fairbanks Police Department Chief Daniel
Hoffman, and the Interior Delegation. On teleconference to
speak, she noted, is Matthew Soden from Fairbanks.
2:30:30 PM
VICE CHAIR NEUMAN inquired whether funds have yet been
appropriated for the new facility.
MS. PIERSON responded that currently funds have not been
appropriated, but work is being done to obtain funding. She
further responded that if a new facility is built, this is the
name being proposed.
2:30:52 PM
REPRESENTATIVE DOOGAN noted that the existing facility is named
after a former legislator, Don Bennett. He asked why the
decision was made to change the name, but he emphasized that his
question was not being asked to disparage Kevin Lamm in any
manner.
MS. PIERSON replied it is to honor someone who has recently been
killed in the line of duty. She further pointed out that this
would be a new facility on lands granted for this purpose by the
Fairbanks International Airport.
2:31:43 PM
REPRESENTATIVE DOOGAN clarified that he is asking because his
understanding is that if the new facility is built, the old
facility will be abandoned.
MS. PIERSON confirmed his statement.
2:32:02 PM
VICE CHAIR NEUMAN pointed out that state troopers and public
safety officers in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley train behind the
wastewater treatment plant. He commended Representative Ramras
because, he said, there is a need for this facility.
2:32:31 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON noticed that the letters in the packet
were in support of building the range and did not address naming
it.
MS. PIERSON acknowledged that this is true.
VICE CHAIR NEUMAN asked if Ms. Pierson had received any
opposition to changing the name.
MS. PIERSON stated that Representative Ramras's office has not
received any opposition.
2:33:10 PM
REPRESENTATIVE DOOGAN wanted the record to reflect his
remembrance of when the firing range in Fairbanks was a high
bank across the Chena River. He said he is hoping the solution
will not include going back to the river banks.
MS. PIERSON laughed and said the river bank is where she sites
in her rifle each year before hunting season.
2:33:43 PM
MATTHEW SODEN, drawing upon his experience as a police officer
with the City of Fairbanks and a firearms instructor, stated
that the current range is adequate. However, he said, during
demolition begun several years ago for airport expansion, power
to the range was disconnected and the building has no heat or
lights. During winter months, he said, vehicles must be brought
to the range in order to have a place to warm up and clean up.
There is a borough range for public use, he continued, but the
nature of police work requires the ability to have 24 hour
access and to have control of all activity on the range. With
airport expansion plans again moving forward, he urged the
committee to support building a new range so law enforcement
officers would have access to good quality training as well as
the ability to train with their weapons.
MR. SODEN then addressed the committee in terms of naming a new
facility after Kevin Lamm. He noted that the letters of support
for building a new facility did not address naming it because,
at that time, it was not known there were plans for naming it
after Kevin. While he and others recognize the contributions
made by Mr. Bennett, there are officers working in the
department who served with Kevin and who recognize not only the
good he did as a police officer, but the sacrifice he made when
he was killed. It was his life that Kevin saved, Mr. Soden
disclosed, and this would be a fitting tribute to Kevin and his
family.
2:37:56 PM
JAMES JANKE testified from the standpoint of currently being a
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer at the Fairbanks
International Airport, a retired police officer, and the current
president of the Farthest North Chapter of the Alaska Police
Officers Association. He stressed the need for Fairbanks law
enforcement officials to have a place to train and become
proficient. He said he was taken aback when he first saw the
training "range" in Fairbanks it is basically three berms of
piled up dirt and a building with no running water, electricity,
or anything else. He explained that law enforcement officers
must qualify three to four times a year, and these
qualifications involve a timed shoot. The airport runway is so
close to the range that conducting these shoots requires the
posting of a person for yelling "cease fire" when airplanes
approach for landing. He said this much-needed new facility
would serve all Interior law enforcement agencies whether state,
federal, or local.
MR. JANKE further stated that the sacrifices given to the
community by law enforcement officials go without saying, but
the ultimate sacrifice is the sacrifice that Kevin Lamm gave to
the Fairbanks community. Naming a new facility after Kevin
would be a wonderful way to honor him and to keep this thought
in mind when officers go out and practice this very serious
business.
2:41:38 PM
VICE CHAIR NEUMAN closed public testimony and announced that HB
8 would be held for further consideration.
2:42:09 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Transportation Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 2:43
PM.
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