Legislature(2019 - 2020)BARNES 124
03/21/2019 01:30 PM House TRANSPORTATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB34 | |
| HB88 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 34 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 88 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
March 21, 2019
2:10 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Louise Stutes, Co-Chair
Representative Adam Wool, Co-Chair
Representative Matt Claman
Representative Harriet Drummond
Representative Andi Story
Representative Dave Talerico
Representative Sara Rasmussen
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 34
"An Act naming the Scott Johnson Memorial Bridge."
- MOVED HB 34 OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 88
"An Act naming the Trooper Gabe Rich Memorial Bridge."
- MOVED HB 88 OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 34
SHORT TITLE: NAMING SCOTT JOHNSON MEMORIAL BRIDGE
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) TALERICO
02/20/19 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/20/19 (H) STA, TRA
02/28/19 (H) STA AT 3:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
02/28/19 (H) Heard & Held
02/28/19 (H) MINUTE(STA)
03/07/19 (H) STA AT 3:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
03/07/19 (H) Moved HB 34 Out of Committee
03/07/19 (H) MINUTE(STA)
03/08/19 (H) STA RPT 6DP
03/08/19 (H) DP: VANCE, LEDOUX, SHAW, STORY, KREISS-
TOMKINS, FIELDS
03/21/19 (H) TRA AT 1:30 PM BARNES 124
BILL: HB 88
SHORT TITLE: NAMING TROOPER GABE RICH MEMORIAL BRIDGE
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) TALERICO
03/08/19 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/08/19 (H) TRA
03/21/19 (H) TRA AT 1:30 PM BARNES 124
WITNESS REGISTER
CAPTAIN RONALD WALL, Commander
Detachment D
Alaska State Troopers
Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 88.
ACTION NARRATIVE
2:10:10 PM
CO-CHAIR ADAM WOOL called the House Transportation Standing
Committee meeting to order at 2:10 p.m. Representatives
Rasmussen, Talerico, Story, Wool, and Stutes were present at the
call to order. Representative Drummond and Claman arrived as
the meeting was in progress.
HB 34-NAMING SCOTT JOHNSON MEMORIAL BRIDGE
2:10:46 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL announced that the first order of business
would be HOUSE BILL NO. 34, "An Act naming the Scott Johnson
Memorial Bridge."
2:11:14 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 2:11 p.m. to 2:12 p.m.
2:12:04 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO, as prime sponsor, presented HB 34. He
paraphrased the sponsor statement, which read as follows
[original punctuation provided]:
The legislation amends Alaska Statute 35.40 by naming
bridge number 506 over the Tok River at mile 1309 of
the Alaska Highway to be named the Scott Johnson
Memorial Bridge.
Scott was a person who led from the front. He set
very high standards for himself. After graduating his
recruit class as valedictorian, he was assigned to
Fairbanks patrol. Scott became involved with the
Special Emergency Response Team (S.E.R.T.) for 19
years and held positions of perimeter team leader,
entry team leader and acting team leader. He was a K-
9 handler, instructor and coordinator. In addition,
Scott trained at least 33 dual purpose and/or drug
detection canine teams throughout Alaska. He also
worked in the Alaska Bureau of Investigation and at
the age of 36 was promoted to sergeant. Scott oversaw
patrol shift and later transferred to the Alaska
Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Enforcement. Scott earned
at least 43 letters of commendation, including two
commendations for honorable service during his career.
Scott Johnson was an Alaska State Trooper killed in
the line of duty on May 1, 2014. He had served the
State of Alaska 23 years.
Let this be a lasting memorial to a man who gave his
life in the line of duty to the citizens of the State
of Alaska.
2:14:06 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY said she had heard compelling testimony as
a member of the House State Affairs Standing Committee, when HB
34 was heard by that committee. She emphasized her support of
HB 34.
CO-CHAIR WOOL shared that he also heard the moving testimony
from many people when HB 34 was heard by the House State Affairs
Standing Committee, and he stated his full support of the
proposed legislation.
2:14:45 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CLAMAN inquired as to the size and style of the
bridge.
2:14:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO shared that it is on the east side of
Tok, crosses the Tanana River, and is newly constructed,
spanning approximately 200 feet. He said there would be rest
areas on each end of the bridge.
2:15:54 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RASMUSSEN related that both her father-in-law and
brother-in-law are first responders, and she emphasized the
respect she has for what they do. She said she thinks the
recognition given under HB 34 is well-deserved, and she said she
would support the bill.
2:16:19 PM
CO-CHAIR STUTES echoed the statements made by her fellow
legislators and shared that she has the utmost respect for first
responders. She emphasized she is in full support of HB 34.
2:16:54 PM
CO-CHAIR WOOL opened public testimony on HB 34. After
ascertaining that there was no one who wished to testify, he
closed public testimony.
2:17:18 PM
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND opined that HB 34 is a wonderful idea
and fitting memorial to [the late Trooper Johnson]. She said
she had driven across the bridge, as would anyone driving back
from Juneau to other parts of the state, and she speculated that
it is substantially longer than 200 feet. She said she would be
pleased to drive past the bridge once it has been named.
2:18:23 PM
CO-CHAIR STUTES moved to report HB 34 out of committee with
individual recommendations and the accompanying zero fiscal
note. There being no objection, HB 34 was reported out of the
House Transportation Standing Committee.
2:18:33 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 2:18 p.m. to 2:20 p.m.
HB 88-NAMING TROOPER GABE RICH MEMORIAL BRIDGE
2:20:13 PM
CO-CHAIR WOOL announced that the final order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 88, "An Act naming the Trooper Gabe Rich
Memorial Bridge."
2:20:24 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO, as prime sponsor, presented HB 88. He
paraphrased the sponsor statement, which read as follows
[original punctuation provided]:
The legislation amends Alaska Statute 35.40 by naming
bridge number 392 over the Chatanika River at mile
38.8 of the Steese Highway to be named the Trooper
Gabe Rich Memorial Bridge.
On May 1, 2014, Gabriel "Gabe" Lenox Rich, gave his
life while answering the call of duty in Tanana. Gabe
attended Lathrop High School, graduating in 2006. He
attended Montana State University and the University
of Alaska Anchorage before pursuing his lifelong dream
of entering the ranks of law enforcement. After
graduating from the Fairbanks Police Academy in 2007,
he went to work for the North Pole Police department
until being accepted by the Alaska State Troopers in
2011. Of all of his achievements, the greatest of
these soon followed when he became a father.
Integrity was the foundation of his career as a
trooper, and love was his foundation at home. As a
father and spouse, you couldn't have asked for a more
dedicated and compassionate man. In his career, Gabe
was dependable, kind and had an innate ability to
bring comfort in difficult situations. He loved his
work and those he worked with.
Gabe Rich was an Alaska State Trooper killed in the
line of duty on May 1, 2014. He had served the State
of Alaska over 7 years.
Let this be a lasting memorial to a man who gave his
life in the line of duty to the citizens of the State
of Alaska.
2:22:24 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY shared her appreciation for the showing of
public support for the honor that would be bestowed through HB
88.
2:22:52 PM
CO-CHAIR WOOL expressed his gratitude to have the proposed
legislation before the House Transportation Standing Committee.
He characterized it as both sad and good.
2:23:12 PM
CO-CHAIR WOOL opened public testimony on HB 88.
2:23:34 PM
CAPTAIN RONALD WALL, Commander, Detachment D, Alaska State
Troopers, Department of Public Safety (DPS), stated that the
late Trooper Rich had had a great impact on the organization.
He said Trooper Rich worked on the control unit and rural unit,
and he had planned to transfer to Southeast, Alaska. Captain
Wall called the quality of work done by Trooper Rich
outstanding, and he said he brought joy and happiness into every
contact. He characterized Trooper Rich as someone who had been
"a joy to be around" and "a terrific employee." Captain Wall
stated that the proposed bridge would honor him.
2:25:18 PM
CO-CHAIR WOOL noted that the widows of the slain troopers had
worked with the legislature in the past year to increase death
benefits for the families of slain troopers.
2:25:43 PM
CO-CHAIR WOOL closed public testimony on HB 88.
2:25:50 PM
CO-CHAIR STUTES moved to report HB 88 out of committee with
individual recommendations and the accompanying zero fiscal
note. There being no objection, HB 88 was reported out of the
House Transportation Standing Committee.
2:27:35 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Transportation Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 2:28
p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB34 ver A 2.28.19.pdf |
HTRA 3/21/2019 1:30:00 PM |
HB 34 |
| HB34 Sponsor Statement 2.28.19.pdf |
HTRA 3/21/2019 1:30:00 PM |
HB 34 |
| HB34 Fiscal Note DOT-NRHA 2.28.19.pdf |
HTRA 3/21/2019 1:30:00 PM |
HB 34 |
| HB34 Supporting Document-Scott Johnson Memorial Scholarship Biography 2.28.19.pdf |
HTRA 3/21/2019 1:30:00 PM |
HB 34 |
| HB34 Supporting Document - Petition of Support 3.6.19.pdf |
HTRA 3/21/2019 1:30:00 PM |
HB 34 |
| HB 34 Supporting Document - Petition of Support No. 2 3.7.19.pdf |
HTRA 3/21/2019 1:30:00 PM |
HB 34 |
| HB0088A 03.08.19.pdf |
HTRA 3/21/2019 1:30:00 PM |
HB 88 |
| HB088 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HTRA 3/21/2019 1:30:00 PM |
HB 88 |
| HB088 Fiscal Note DOT-NRHA 03.15.19.pdf |
HTRA 3/21/2019 1:30:00 PM |
HB 88 |
| HB088 Supporting Document - Bridge_392 Map.pdf |
HTRA 3/21/2019 1:30:00 PM |
HB 88 |
| HB088 Supporting Document - Photo of Trooper Rich.pdf |
HTRA 3/21/2019 1:30:00 PM |
HB 88 |
| HB088 Supporting Document - Petition of Support 3.21.19.pdf |
HTRA 3/21/2019 1:30:00 PM |
HB 88 |