Legislature(2005 - 2006)CAPITOL 17
03/21/2006 01:30 PM House TRANSPORTATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB432 | |
| HJR18 | |
| HB417 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 432 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 417 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HJR 18 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
March 21, 2006
1:38 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Jim Elkins, Co-Chair
Representative Carl Gatto, Co-Chair
Representative Vic Kohring
Representative Mark Neuman
Representative Bill Thomas
Representative Mary Kapsner
Representative Woodie Salmon
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 432
"An Act expanding the Alaska marine highway system to Yukon
River locations."
- MOVED CSHB 432(TRA) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 18
Relating to the federal Maritime Transportation Security Act of
2002 and the state's right to tax commercial passenger vessels.
- MOVED HJR 18 OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 417
"An Act relating to the designation of traffic safety corridors;
relating to the bail or fine for an offense committed in a
traffic safety corridor and to separately accounting for such
fines; and providing for an effective date."
- MOVED CSHB 417(TRA) OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 432
SHORT TITLE: YUKON RIVER FERRY SERVICE
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) SALMON
02/08/06 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/08/06 (H) TRA, FIN
03/21/06 (H) TRA AT 1:30 PM CAPITOL 17
BILL: HJR 18
SHORT TITLE: FEDERAL MARINE TRANSPORTATION SAFETY ACT
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) GATTO
04/15/05 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/15/05 (H) TRA, FIN
04/23/05 (H) TRA AT 2:00 PM CAPITOL 17
04/23/05 (H) Tabled
04/23/05 (H) MINUTE(TRA)
03/21/06 (H) TRA AT 1:30 PM CAPITOL 17
BILL: HB 417
SHORT TITLE: REGULATION OF HWYS; TRAFFIC OFFENSES
SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
02/01/06 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/01/06 (H) TRA, JUD, FIN
03/21/06 (H) TRA AT 1:30 PM CAPITOL 17
WITNESS REGISTER
ROBIN TAYLOR, Deputy Director/Director of Marine Operations
Alaska Marine Highway System
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified that DOT&PF is moderately
supportive of HB 432.
CODY RICE, Staff
to Representative Gatto
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HJR 18.
JOHN MACKINNON, Deputy Commissioner
of Highways & Public Facilities
Office of the Commissioner
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Explained HB 417.
ROBERT MYERS, SR.
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Suggested an amendment to HB 417 such that
school zones would be classified as traffic safety corridors.
JAMES HELGOE, Lieutenant
Division of Alaska State Troopers
Department of Public Safety
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions related to Amendment 2
to HB 417.
CURT SMITH, Traffic and Safety Engineer
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Expressed the need for HB 417 to only refer
to traffic safety corridors and not include school zones.
ACTION NARRATIVE
CO-CHAIR CARL GATTO called the House Transportation Standing
Committee meeting to order at 1:38:12 PM. Representatives
Thomas, Salmon, Elkins, and Gatto were present at the call to
order. Representatives Kohring, Neuman, and Kapsner arrived as
the meeting was in progress.
HB 432-YUKON RIVER FERRY SERVICE
1:39:12 PM
CO-CHAIR GATTO announced that the first order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 432, "An Act expanding the Alaska marine
highway system to Yukon River locations."
REPRESENTATIVE SALMON, speaking as the sponsor of HB 432,
explained that HB 432 would require the [Department of
Transportation & Public Facilities] to study the feasibility of
a state ferry system on the Yukon River. [A ferry running on
the Yukon River] will impact around 30 villages. He opined that
tourists from surrounding areas [and outside of the state] would
be interested in riding routes once traveled by the steamships
in the late 1800s. He pointed out that the infrastructure
necessary for this operation wouldn't be major because [the
routes] would only be in operation for four months of the year.
Furthermore, [regular] ferry [service] on the Yukon River will
provide those living along the Yukon River with another option
for the shipment of goods. He then noted the connecting roads
from the villages along the Yukon River. Representative Salmon
opined that the ferry system could also be utilized on the
Kuskokwim River and the Stikine River. Utilizing the ferry
system will provide residents with safe transportation.
1:44:41 PM
CO-CHAIR ELKINS inquired as to the cost of a study as is
proposed in HB 432.
REPRESENTATIVE SALMON drew the committee's attention to the
fiscal note specifying that the feasibility study will cost
about $250,000.
CO-CHAIR GATTO recalled his many canoe trips from Dawson to
Eagle and also recalled that there's a private ferry, Yukon
Queen, that is fast. From that he surmised that it's possible
to make money with a ferry. He then expressed concern with the
new language in Section 2, which requires the department to
construct or obtain ferry terminal facilities at locations
"including communities along the Yukon River". The
aforementioned requires a different fiscal note.
REPRESENTATIVE SALMON said that although it sounds like the
state would be purchasing, this would require the approval of
DOT&PF.
CO-CHAIR GATTO suggested that perhaps the language in Section 2
should specify that the department "may" rather than "shall"
construct or obtain ferry terminal facilities depending upon the
results of the Section 1 study. Such language wouldn't require
a costly fiscal note.
REPRESENTATIVE SALMON said he is always open to amendments.
1:48:25 PM
ROBIN TAYLOR, Deputy Director/Director of Marine Operations,
Alaska Marine Highway System, Department of Transportation &
Public Facilities, drew attention to the existing statutory
language in Section 2 of "it selects". The aforementioned
allows the department to move forward with the purchase,
construction, or lease of terminal facilities but doesn't
require the department to do so. He said that he didn't
disagree with Co-Chair Gatto's suggestion, but opined that "may"
and "it selects" accomplish the same thing.
CO-CHAIR GATTO suggested a conceptual amendment, which would
insert language in Section 2 to ensure the department is not
required to construct, maintain, or purchase facilities until
the legislature approves the expansion of the ferry system to
the Yukon River locations.
CO-CHAIR ELKINS asked whether the "shall" in Section 2 could
merely be changed to "may" and accomplish the same goal.
CO-CHAIR GATTO replied yes, but he expressed the need to be very
clear.
REPRESENTATIVE SALMON pointed out that changing "shall" to "may"
will change the current statute and impact the main ferry
system.
MR. TAYLOR agreed, adding that is why he believes the existing
language "it selects" addresses the concern. Furthermore, the
department is unable to purchase any facility unless the
legislature includes funding in the budget for it. Mr. Taylor
opined that [the new language in Section 2] may be a bit
premature until the study is completed and thus may not be
necessary until the study is completed.
1:53:09 PM
CO-CHAIR GATTO said he was surprised that the original language
doesn't specify that the ferry terminals shall be constructed
subject to the approval of the legislature.
MR. TAYLOR noted that oftentimes [DOT&PF] has had to move with
some dispatch. Furthermore, these often aren't major options to
acquire property for terminal facilities. Mr. Taylor
highlighted that terminal facilities aren't built without
federal funding, which has to move through the Statewide
Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and the full
legislative appropriation process during the capital budget.
CO-CHAIR GATTO opined that the language is fairly broad approval
for spending state money.
MR. TAYLOR said, "We've not utilized it in recent years. In
fact, legislative drafters are very reluctant to put the word
'shall' in." He said that the language has worked well.
CO-CHAIR GATTO indicated disagreement that the language is
working well because [the state] spends $3.00 for every $1.00 of
revenue.
CO-CHAIR ELKINS pointed out that the state receives $5 [in
federal funds] for every $1.00 spent. Therefore, there isn't a
highway in the state that makes money.
CO-CHAIR GATTO moved that the committee adopt Amendment 1, as
follows:
Page 1, line 12;
Delete "shall"
Insert "may"
CO-CHAIR ELKINS announced that he would support HB 432.
However, he commented that Representative Salmon has his work
cut out for him because [the legislature] is fighting to return
the 10 percent that was cut from AMHS's budget back. Co-Chair
Elkins highlighted that the notion is to return AMHS back to
what it was 25 years ago with regard to quality and vessels.
Although this legislation would fit with those goals, there are
members of the legislature who would like to eliminate the
entire ferry system.
CO-CHAIR GATTO asked if AMHS always encompassed the facilities
that it currently has.
MR. TAYLOR replied no, informing the committee that AMHS began
with three vessels serving from Seattle or Prince Rupert to
Skagway. Over the years two vessels were added in order to
provide service to the outer villages of Craig, Klawock, and
Hydaburg. Over about 20 years ago, service was expanded such
that two vessels served Hoonah, Angoon, Pelican, and Kake. With
the purchase of the M/V Kennicott, service was expanded across
the Gulf. Two other vessels were used to expand service in
Prince William Sound and to the Aleutian Chain. The run from
the Pacific Northwest to Skagway remains the basic core level of
service that was expanded out to the Aleutian Chain as detailed
above. In further response to Co-Chair Gatto, Mr. Taylor
informed the committee that in 1973 DOT&PF performed a study
regarding the concept of a shallow-draft ferry that would push a
small barge in front of it. He offered to provide the committee
a quick presentation on the concept.
CO-CHAIR GATTO said he would pass on the presentation at the
moment. He then inquired as to the situation with the M/V
Tustumena.
MR. TAYLOR clarified that the M/V Tustumena is undergoing a
major overhaul, an almost $3.5 million project. The
aforementioned is funded by federal money. However, he noted
that typically a portion of each of these contracts is state
money appropriated from the general fund for vessel repair and
maintenance. To the extent possible, such contracts are kept in
state.
2:01:01 PM
MR. TAYLOR related that DOT&PF is moderately supportive of HB
432 due to the struggles to fund the current budget. He
cautioned against having 30 villages reliant on the ferry system
as is the case with the isolated communities of Southeast
Alaska, Prince William Sound, and the Aleutian Chain. He
suggested that such dependence on the ferry system could result
in the communities of the Yukon River facing concerns related to
increased costs. Mr. Taylor highlighted that the private sector
can and does provide service where it's economically feasible,
as is the case with the barge service currently provided on the
Yukon River. He projected that to provide ferry service to an
area with very little revenue base will be costly.
2:03:04 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SALMON, in response to Co-Chair Gatto, explained
that Yutana Barge Lines, a private company, only carries freight
and only services some areas along the Yukon River once or twice
yearly.
CO-CHAIR GATTO asked if $250,000 is the correct amount to
perform the study.
MR. TAYLOR replied yes, it should allow adequate assessment of
the proposal and promptly return to the legislature with
information.
REPRESENTATIVE SALMON, in response to Co-Chair Elkins, answered
that the Yukon River is free of ice mid-May to the end of
September.
2:04:43 PM
CO-CHAIR GATTO related his understanding that the ferry at
Dawson City is operated by the government since it's free.
CO-CHAIR GATTO reminded the committee of the pending motion to
adopt Amendment 1 and asked if there was any objection. There
being no objection, Amendment 1 was adopted.
REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS moved to report HB 432, as amended, out of
committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying
fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHB 432(TRA) was
reported from the House Transportation Standing Committee.
2:06:21 PM
HJR 18-FEDERAL MARINE TRANSPORTATION SAFETY ACT
CO-CHAIR GATTO announced that the next order of business would
be HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 18, Relating to the federal
Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 and the state's
right to tax commercial passenger vessels.
2:07:20 PM
CODY RICE, Staff to Representative Gatto, Alaska State
Legislature, explained that HJR 18 asks Congress to clarify
subsection 445 of the Maritime Transportation Security Act of
2002 (MTSA). Subsection 445 was intended to prohibit/exclude an
ad valorem tax imposed by Yakutat on cruise ships that entered
the bay but did not actually stop at the port. Subsection 445
has been broadly interpreted to invalidate a number of existing
and proposed taxes nationwide.
2:08:52 PM
MR. RICE related his understanding that Congress is going to
address subsection 445 this year through the "Coast Guard" bill.
He recalled discussions with the offices of U.S. Representative
Don Young and U.S. Senator Ted Stevens on this particular issue
and they have expressed interest in clarifying the issue through
the aforementioned bill. Mr. Rice opined that HJR 18 would
illustrate strong support from the legislature.
REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS commented that he hasn't heard from anyone
in opposition to this.
CO-CHAIR GATTO reminded the committee that there is an
initiative on the ballot for which clarification of subsection
445 would be helpful. Furthermore, this seems to be a state's
rights issue.
REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS pointed out that if the head tax remains
and money has to be spent in relation to cruise ship industries.
He reminded the committee that the Ketchikan bridge had to be
raised in order to allow the cruise ships to pass under it.
Therefore, he questioned whether the bridge in Ketchikan could
be funded by the cruise ship monies.
CO-CHAIR GATTO highlighted that sometimes the law says that the
money "must" be used for specific facilities. He then informed
the committee that taller ships are in the design phase, and
thus he surmised that the bridge would have to be raised yet
again.
CO-CHAIR ELKINS disagreed, and pointed out that the ships can go
around.
REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS recalled that originally, the first bid
was where the South Coast properties were and thus there
would've been a "small shot across." However, the cruise ships
wanted to go through and the [Ketchikan bridge] was moved to its
present location and raised.
CO-CHAIR ELKINS mentioned that the Federal Aviation
Administration didn't want the bridge on the north end.
CO-CHAIR GATTO questioned why a drawbridge isn't being
considered.
2:12:43 PM
CO-CHAIR ELKINS announced that he will support HJR 18 because if
the referendum passes, clarity [on subsection 445] will be
necessary.
2:13:20 PM
CO-CHAIR ELKINS moved to report HJR 18 out of committee with
individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes.
There being no objection, it was so ordered.
2:13:59 PM
HB 417-REGULATION OF HWYS; TRAFFIC OFFENSES
[Contains discussion of SB 261]
CO-CHAIR GATTO announced that the final order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 417, "An Act relating to the designation of
traffic safety corridors; relating to the bail or fine for an
offense committed in a traffic safety corridor and to separately
accounting for such fines; and providing for an effective date."
2:14:32 PM
JOHN MACKINNON, Deputy Commissioner of Highways & Public
Facilities, Office of the Commissioner, Department of
Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF), explained that HB
417 allows DOT&PF in consultation with the Department of Public
Safety, local police departments, and other law enforcement
agencies to establish a traffic safety corridor on a segment of
highway that has exhibited higher than average fatal and serious
accident rates. Rules will be established to determine when a
traffic safety corridor is "turned on ... [and] off." This
legislation, he highlighted, allows for double traffic fines to
be imposed and collected in these corridors whenever an offense
is committed in the corridor. Moreover, the legislation
provides for increased enforcement in traffic safety corridors.
By using its safety sanction funds, DOT&PF will assist DPS and
other police departments in providing increased levels of
enforcement in these corridors.
CO-CHAIR GATTO asked whether the increased revenue from the
double fines fund any of the enforcement or does it return to
the general fund.
MR. MACKINNON specified that the intent is that the fines will
return to [DOT&PF] in order to pay for additional enforcement.
He informed the committee that SB 261 was amended such that it
includes language that allows the additional fines to return to
the department to support the enforcement. In further response
to Co-Chair Gatto, Mr. MacKinnon said that in SB 261 a "may" was
changed to "shall" in order to ensure that DOT&PF is consulting
with DPS as well as the local police departments or federal
agencies that may have enforcement jurisdiction. He then
provided the committee with maps illustrating accidents on the
roads and related that the accident markers are color-coded to
relate whether drugs and/or alcohol were involved, the accident
was caused by a driver behavior issue, and whether the accident
occurred prior to or after a highway realignment or major
reconstruction. This legislation is aimed at getting a handle
on driver behavior by allowing the increase of enforcement and
collecting double traffic fines.
2:21:33 PM
REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS recalled during the deliberations over
mandatory seatbelt use, the term "rural" was thrown out.
However, most of the accidents occurred in urban areas on rural
roads. Therefore, it's misleading to [refer to these roads in
the urban areas] as "major rural routes."
MR. MACKINNON said, "We have different ... issues here and a
slightly different definition." He specified that there is no
desire to include an urban street or highway in a traffic safety
corridor because those accidents are mainly related to
intersections and not due to a length of road.
REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS opined that roads which go through a
borough such as the Matanuska-Susitna Borough or the Anchorage
Borough are urban roads, even the roads connecting these two
large areas.
2:24:26 PM
MR. MACKINNON pointed out that three of the six most dangerous
roads in Alaska are located in the Mat-Su Valley. He
highlighted that Knik-Goose Bay Road provides a graphic example
of these dangerous roads.
REPRESENTATIVE NEUMAN informed the committee that in the summer
over 4 million people travel from Wasilla to Big Lake cutoff on
up to Interior Alaska. Therefore, it's not just the locals who
have the accidents. Representative Neuman related his belief
that some of the roads in the Mat-Su area would be considered
rural.
MR. MACKINNON agreed that parts of the Mat-Su Valley fit the
"rural" criteria.
2:26:32 PM
MR. MACKINNON mentioned that the committee packet includes draft
language that would be inserted in the Alaska Traffic Manual,
which would be where the criteria would be established for
creating traffic safety zones. He specified, "We would like to
see a three-year fatal plus major injury accident rate per mile
that exceeds 110 percent of the statewide average."
Furthermore, the notion is that the traffic safety corridor
would be decommissioned when the fatal plus major injury rate
per mile falls below the statewide average for a three-year
period. Moreover, when a traffic safety corridor is created or
decommissioned it should be done with a certain amount of
publicity in order to make the public aware.
CO-CHAIR GATTO asked if prior to the creation of a traffic
safety corridor there are 30 days of warning signs.
2:28:11 PM
MR. MACKINNON opined that there would need to be an "opening up"
period and signage at the beginning and end of the traffic
safety corridor and signage relating the double fines while in
the traffic safety corridor. There has been a suggestion that
upon entering a traffic safety corridor, there would be signage
specifying the length of it.
CO-CHAIR GATTO asked if the program will be reviewed at some
point in regard to its success.
MR. MACKINNON answered that at this point the program has
eternal life, although it will be continually monitored in
relation to the accident rates. Other states that have utilized
this program have achieved success. In fact, in Oregon there
was a substantial reduction in accidents, which he estimated to
be a reduction of more than 10 percent.
2:30:24 PM
CO-CHAIR ELKINS inquired as to which legislation, HB 417 or SB
261, is DOT&PF most comfortable.
MR. MACKINNON related that the legislation started out as
identical. However, an amendment to SB 261 in the Senate
Transportation Standing Committee added some miscellaneous
clarifying language, a new paragraph regarding criteria and
factors to be considered in designating the traffic safety
corridors. The amendment also required consultation with the
commissioner of DPS as that's the department that will likely
provide the increased enforcement. Also, an amendment to SB 261
added a new Section 6 regarding the accounting for double fines
in some court locations where there is no ability to perform
separate accounting.
2:32:09 PM
CO-CHAIR ELKINS surmised then that SB 261 is more complete and
serves the public better.
MR. MACKINNON replied yes. He then added that the Senate
Finance Committee changed SB 261 such that it requires DOT&PF to
consult with other state, local, and federal agencies
responsible for traffic safety.
CO-CHAIR GATTO related his understanding that all of the
aforementioned changes to SB 261 occurred in Section 1 of HB 417
and seem to be additions to the legislation.
MR. MACKINNON noted his agreement, adding that the only change
to CSSB 261(TRA) is the change from "shall" to "may" on page 1,
line 13.
CO-CHAIR ELKINS moved that the committee table HB 417 and wait
for SB 261 to be forwarded to the House.
CO-CHAIR GATTO objected for discussion purposes.
REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS opined that HB 417 should be reported to
next committee.
2:36:20 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 2:36 p.m. to 2:40 p.m.
2:40:29 PM
CO-CHAIR ELKINS withdrew his motion to table HB 417.
CO-CHAIR GATTO moved that the committee adopt Conceptual
Amendment 1, which would take the Senate Finance Committee
version [of SB 261] and add to HB 417. There being no
objection, Conceptual Amendment 1 was adopted.
CO-CHAIR GATTO clarified that with the adoption of Conceptual
Amendment 1 HB 417 now mirrors the Senate Finance Committee
version of SB 261.
2:41:45 PM
ROBERT MYERS, SR., said that he would like HB 417 to be amended
such that Section 1 includes the following language: "school
zones may be designated as traffic safety corridors." He
explained that as a school employee of one of the two schools
located on Danby Street in Fairbanks one of his duties is as a
crossing guard. As a crossing guard, he said he sees speeding
and passing on the right shoulder of the road on a daily basis.
There are no left turn lanes into the two schools or the
military housing located on Danby Street. In fact, he said he
has observed vehicles passing a vehicle making a left turn while
he has children in the cross walk. He acknowledged that there
are increased fines for infractions in a school zone. However,
he said that those fines aren't adequate nor are they noticed on
signs in the school zones.
MR. MYERS, in response to Co-Chair Gatto, clarified that he
would like the signage to be increased in school zones and for
the fines to be doubled as well as added enforcement as proposed
for traffic safety corridors. He highlighted that the signs for
the "Click It or Ticket" program for seatbelts are twice the
size of the school zone signs. He expressed the need to change
the legislation as he suggested and implement changes before a
child is hit by a vehicle in a school zone.
2:49:12 PM
CO-CHAIR ELKINS moved that the committee adopt Amendment 2,
labeled 24-GH2083\A.1, Kane, 2/24/06, which read:
Page 1, line 7:
Following "safety,":
Insert "every highway or street designated by an
official traffic control device placed or erected by
the department or a municipality to identify a school
zone is designated as a traffic safety corridor, and"
Following "designate":
Insert "other"
Following "highway":
Insert "or street"
Page 2, line 23, following "highway":
Insert "or street"
CO-CHAIR GATTO objected for discussion purposes. He asked if
fines in school zones are effective in reducing the speed in a
school zone.
2:50:02 PM
JAMES HELGOE, Lieutenant, Division of Alaska State Troopers,
Department of Public Safety, related that the fines for school
zones are graduated for every mile per hour over the speed limit
in the school zone, although it's not a double fine. In further
response to Co-Chair Gatto, Lieutenant Helgoe said that
generally enforcement sticks to the roads because parking lots
are often considered a type of private property. However, law
enforcement would be available if there as a concern regarding a
school parking lot. He opined that law enforcement has more
effect obtaining voluntary compliance if visible on the roadway.
CO-CHAIR GATTO suggested that the fine in a school zone could be
doubled at any time.
LIEUTENANT HELGOE said that one of the problems with including
school zones in the proposed traffic safety corridors is that it
would dilute the intent of the legislation. In further response
to Co-Chair Gatto, he opined that double fine signage in
construction zones has calmed and slowed traffic.
2:52:34 PM
CO-CHAIR ELKINS questioned how Amendment 2 would dilute the
intent of HB 417 as the amendment merely seems to broaden the
legislation.
LIEUTENANT HELGOE clarified his belief that if all school zones
are designated as traffic safety corridors, perhaps the impact
of the signage is lost.
CO-CHAIR ELKINS related his understanding that the bottom line
is public safety.
LIEUTENANT HELGOE agreed.
CO-CHAIR GATTO asked if Lieutenant Helgoe would support posting
a sign on the existing school zone signs specifying double fines
rather than making it a traffic safety corridor.
LIEUTENANT HELGOE said that the division would support anything
that can gain speed compliance within school zones.
CO-CHAIR GATTO indicated that there is a problem with the
definition of a "school zone" that would fit statewide. He
emphasized the need for a driver to clearly know when he/she has
to speed up or slow down.
2:55:58 PM
REPRESENTATIVE NEUMAN said he isn't sure about Amendment 2,
particularly because school zones have their own issues. He
related his belief that there is already a system in place to
address school zones. Furthermore, Representative Neuman
expressed concern that sometimes when traffic is slowed at the
wrong location, it can be even more problematic.
2:57:55 PM
REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS opined that if the school zone issue is
buried in HB 417, it won't have the same significance as it
would in separate legislation. Therefore, Amendment 2 should be
introduced as its own legislation.
2:59:14 PM
MR. MYERS said making all school zones traffic safety corridors
is not his intention because not all school zones are located in
high-speed dangerous areas. Therefore, the suggested language
utilizes the language "may".
3:00:20 PM
CURT SMITH, Traffic and Safety Engineer, Department of
Transportation & Public Facilities, agreed with Representative
Thomas that traffic safety corridors and school zones are two
distinct issues. Therefore, he recommended the two matters
remain separate.
CO-CHAIR ELKINS withdrew his motion to adopt Amendment 2.
3:01:08 PM
REPRESENTATIVE NEUMAN moved to report HB 417, as amended, out of
committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying
fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHB 417(TRA) was
reported from the House Transportation Standing Committee.
3:01:30 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Transportation Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 3:01
p.m.
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