Legislature(2021 - 2022)BARNES 124
03/11/2021 01:30 PM House TRANSPORTATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB63 | |
| HB27 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 63 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 27 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
March 11, 2021
1:34 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Grier Hopkins, Chair
Representative Ivy Spohnholz
Representative Harriet Drummond
Representative Sara Hannan
Representative Tom McKay
Representative Kevin McCabe
Representative Mike Cronk
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 63
"An Act relating to the duties of the Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities; renaming the Alaska Marine
Transportation Advisory Board the Alaska Marine Highway
Operations Board; relating to the membership and duties of the
Alaska Marine Highway Operations Board; and providing for an
effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 27
"An Act naming the irene Webber Bridge."
- MOVED HB 27 OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 63
SHORT TITLE: ALASKA MARINE HIGHWAY OPERATIONS BOARD
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) STUTES
02/18/21 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/15/21
02/18/21 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/18/21 (H) TRA, STA
03/11/21 (H) TRA AT 1:30 PM BARNES 124
BILL: HB 27
SHORT TITLE: NAMING IRENE WEBBER BRIDGE
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) STUTES
02/18/21 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/8/21
02/18/21 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/18/21 (H) TRA
02/19/21 (H) FIN REFERRAL ADDED AFTER TRA
02/19/21 (H) BILL REPRINTED
03/11/21 (H) TRA AT 1:30 PM BARNES 124
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE LOUISE STUTES
Legislator
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, presented HB 63.
KERRY CROCKER
Staff to Representative Louise Stutes
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Shared a PowerPoint and presented HB 63 on
behalf of Representative Stutes, prime sponsor.
SARA PERMAN
Staff to Representative Louise Stutes
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 27 on behalf of Representative
Stutes, prime sponsor.
MICHAEL WEBBER
Son of irene Webber
representing self
Cordova, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Offered comments during the hearing of HB
27.
NANCY BIRD
representing self
Cordova, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Offered comments during the hearing of HB
27.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:34:13 PM
CHAIR GRIER HOPKINS called the House Transportation Standing
Committee meeting to order at 1:34 p.m. Representatives
Drummond, McCabe, Cronk, Spohnholz and Hopkins were present at
the call to order. Representatives Hannan and McKay arrived as
the meeting was in progress.
HB 63-ALASKA MARINE HIGHWAY OPERATIONS BOARD
1:36:42 PM
CHAIR HOPKINS announced that the first order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 63, "An Act relating to the duties of the
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities; renaming the
Alaska Marine Transportation Advisory Board the Alaska Marine
Highway Operations Board; relating to the membership and duties
of the Alaska Marine Highway Operations Board; and providing for
an effective date."
1:37:11 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LOUISE STUTES, Legislator, Alaska State
Legislature, as prime sponsor, introduced HB 63. Shared HB 63
would begin the process of filling the Alaska Marine Highway
System (AMHS; "system") board with members who brought
membership and planning experience as well as expertise. In
addition to filling the board, HB 63 would shorten the long-term
operations plan review time from five years to three years.
Ideally, through the committee process, governance authority
would be gained, she added.
1:39:29 PM
KERRY CROCKER, Staff to Representative Louise Stutes, Alaska
State Legislature, introduced HB 63. Offering background
information, Mr. Crocker shared the first ferry, the M/V
Chilkat, started operating in 1957, before Alaska was a state.
When Alaska became a state in 1959, the M/V Chilkat became
Alaska's first state-owned ferry. That same year, Alaskans
voted to approve an $18 million-dollar bond to build four new
ferries and docks throughout Alaska. By 1963, the AMHS was
established. In 1984, Governor William Sheffield established an
AMHS task force to assess the system's structure and rate system
in the face of growing demand. It was determined the system was
archaic and had a lack of continuity and purpose, and new
management was recommended. Without proper business structure
in place, new boats were built throughout the 1960s and 70s,
after which several decades passed with no construction of any
ships.
MR. CROCKER put forth the reality that more than half the ships
in the AMHS fleet were more than 40 or even 50 years old and
required substantial maintenance costs. Slide 4 presented a
1989 memorandum from then-Department of Transportation & Public
Facilities (DOT&PF) Commissioner Mark S. Hickey to then-Governor
Steve Cowper, which acknowledged the system suffered greatly
from overall lack of continuity and top management since its
inception. The memo stated, "The combination of [our] inability
to articulate the comprehensive system plan, and the real and
perceived impacts resulting from the growing budget dilemma, has
served as the primary impetus for many to support the
establishment of a public authority as a way to address existing
problems." This statement still held true in 2021, Mr. Crocker
put forth.
1:42:30 PM
MR. CROCKER shared slide 3, which stated in 1984, the AMHS
taskforce determined a change in management structure was needed
to help provide business directive and success in the system;
more than 30 years later, in 2016 under the AMHS Reform
Initiative by Southeast Conference, McDowell Group, and Elliott
Bay Design Group, it was determined new management was needed to
invest in long-term planning and strategy. Finally, in 2020,
Governor Mike Dunleavy commissioned a marine operations board,
with members having the skills and experience of a ferry
commission. The marine operations board would have the ability
to assess, suggest marine business, enhance revenue, and reduce
costs, while possessing the experience and knowledge of
personnel management, service options, and ship maintenance. To
this end, HB 63 would replace the current AMHS advisory board
with a smaller nine-member operations board composed of the
Marine Highway Director, two members appointed by the Speaker of
the House, two members appointed by the Senate President, and
four members appointed by the governor.
1:44:55 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SPOHNHOLZ asked about the motivation behind
putting the head of the AMHS on the board.
MR. CROCKER said the thought was that if the director were on
the board there would be buy-in, as the current advisory
committee often made recommendations that were ignored.
REPRESENTATIVE SPOHNHOLZ asked if there may have been other ways
of accomplishing that, and perhaps make the director an ex
officio member who ensured recommendations did not go ignored,
along with potentially putting some other accountability
measures in statute.
MR. CROCKER replied yes.
1:46:27 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN asked whether the House Speaker and Senate
President would be appointing members from those bodies.
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES replied no, they would be members of the
public who had AMHS, DOT&PF, or business experience.
1:47:35 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE asked whether legislators would be on the
board and if one-year terms were mentioned because of transition
time.
MR. CROCKER replied yes, transitions from existing board could
take one year.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE said he thought it aligned with
legislators since it said those appointed by the speaker.
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES said it did need clarification, and
[members would come from public sector because] they did not
wish to make [choosing board members] a "political football."
1:49:34 PM
CHAIR HOPKINS asked how the governor's version differed from HB
63.
MR. CROCKER replied major differences were who chose the boards
and the board's terms: in the governor's version two members
were appointed to a one-year, two to a two-year, two to a three-
year, two to a four-year, and two to a five-year term. There
was also included in the governor's version a short-term
operations plan.
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES added the other difference in his version
the governor would appoint all members.
1:50:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE commented similarly to the Police Advisory
Council's being stacked with retired police officers, the AMHS
board may soon become stacked with union members.
MR. CROCKER replied the intent of HB 63 was to include only one
union member, which was already in statute.
1:52:30 PM
CHAIR HOPKINS said the governor's plan had a three-year and
five-year version and asked whether HB 63 updating only every
three years offered enough flexibility.
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES replied three years was a good amount of
time to see the progress the AMHS was making as it allowed the
chance to address problems before problems took hold.
1:53:27 PM
CHAIR HOPKINS announced that HB 63 would be set aside.
1:53:56 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 1:53 p.m. to 1:55 p.m.
HB 27-NAMING IRENE WEBBER BRIDGE
1:55:13 PM
CHAIR HOPKINS announced that the final order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 27, "An Act naming the irene Webber Bridge."
1:55:27 PM
SARA PERMAN, Staff to Representative Louise Stutes, Alaska
State Legislature, introduced HB 27, which would rename Bridge
406, Scott Glacier No. 6 on the Copper River Highway, to the
irene Webber Bridge, in memory of the longtime Cordovan whose
leadership and vision inspired Cordova's running community.
MS. PERMAN shared irene Webber, an Alutiiq woman born in
Ellamar, Alaska, near Tatitlek, and later moving with her family
to Cordova, was the owner of a seining operation and founder of
the Cordova Running Club, being remembered as the first sole
participant in Cordova's inaugural King Salmon Marathon in 1986.
Ms. Perman noted that irene was not a lifelong runner, coming to
the sport as an adult. With her boundless enthusiasm, irene
built that same marathon into the annual Alaska Salmon Runs.
After 34 years, the Alaska Salmon Runs now boasts five different
athletic events: The King Salmon Marathon, Sockeye Half-
Marathon, Coho 10K, Humpy 5K and the Smooth One Mile Fun Run.
The races have become a part of a renowned sporting event that
sees almost 300 participants each year from around the state.
MS. PERMAN shared irene was also responsible for founding the
Cordova 2x2 Cancer Walk. The annual walk raised money to
support Cordova cancer patients. Since its establishment in
2002, the event has raised more than $100,000 to assist
Cordovans with cancer screenings or treatment expenses. In
addition to her contributions to the Cordova running community,
irene selflessly volunteered her time to other philanthropic
efforts, supporting St. Jude's Children's Hospital, The American
Cancer Society and S.I.D.S. Ride-A-Thon. irene passed away in
2018. She is remembered fondly by many. With the passing of this
legislation, her contributions will continue to be memorialized
by the Cordova community.
MS. PERMAN noted the small "i" would be used as that is how
irene signed her name. DOT had been briefed on this, she noted.
Family suggested the bridge with its view of Scott Glacier which
overlooked the "Nine Mile Sand Pile," a popular gathering place,
for irene's bridge. She pointed out that the King Salmon
Marathon and Sockeye Half-Marathon would also go over this
bridge.
MS. PERMAN pointed out the fiscal note which included $10K from
the DOT&PF for signage.
1:59:59 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN looked to confirm DOT&PF being fine with
lower case "i."
MS. PERMAN replied yes.
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN asked whether the sign manufacturer signed
off on that as well.
MS. PERMAN noted HB 27 was specifically drafted with the
constituent's request specifying the lower-case "i."
2:01:15 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CRONK voiced support for HB 27.
2:01:36 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE also voiced support but asked whether it
was possible to repurpose some materials to cut down on
material costs.
CHAIR HOPKINS replied finance committee may be able to address
it.
2:02:52 PM
CHAIR HOPKINS opened public testimony on HB 27.
2:03:12 PM
MICHAEL WEBBER, Son of irene Webber, representing self, spoke in
support of HB 27. Shared his mother irene, a "little Alaska
Native lady with a big heart," spoke what was on her mind, which
empowered folks in Cordova and gave them focus. He added much
of this was in terms of sobriety as irene spent over half her
life celebrating sobriety. She made a stand and had a voice and
a kind heart, which she used to reach out to others, helping
them in their difficult times. She changed her addiction from
drinking to running, which empowered her to the level it helped
her create the races, all named after species of fish in honor
of the fishing town. The runs brought the community together,
only getting stronger over time, Mr. Webber said. irene, a
commercial fisherman, was passionate and it came through in many
ways, he stated. He added she had been helping with the
American Cancer Society since the 1970s.
2:06:40 PM
MR. WEBBER said seeing his mother's name on a bridge would be an
honor for his family and for the community. She had many
children and grandchildren as well as followers in sobriety, he
stated. It would bring pride to those friends and family
members, he shared. She was a hero in many ways, he said.
2:08:43 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SPOHNHOLZ commented it was inspiring that a woman
in long-term recovery had gone on to become such a role model.
She added it was fitting to discuss in March, which was sobriety
awareness month. She thanked the bill sponsor and Mr. Webber.
2:09:42 PM
CHAIR HOPKINS asked the story was with the small "i."
MR. WEBBER replied it was part of her personality; she had used
a small "i" since the 1960s and had achieved Power of Attorney.
2:10:59 PM
NANCY BIRD, representing self, spoke in support of HB 27. A
good friend of irene's, Ms. Bird added the little "i"
represented Ms. Webber's belief people shouldn't be too
projecting of themselves; people didn't need to be talked about
so much. As the editor of Cordova Times in 80s, she shared an
anecdote that irene had really enjoyed an April Fools' issue
over which others had gotten upset. She expressed her support
and said there should be no problem with the little "i."
2:13:06 PM
CHAIR HOPKINS closed public testimony on HB 27.
2:13:28 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN moved to report HB 27 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
notes.
2:13:53 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 2:13 p.m. to 2:16 p.m.
2:16:35 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Transportation Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 2:17
p.m.