02/01/2024 01:00 PM House TRANSPORTATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Presentation(s): Infrastructure Competitive Grants | |
| HB288 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| *+ | HB 288 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
February 1, 2024
1:02 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Kevin McCabe, Chair
Representative Sarah Vance, Vice Chair
Representative Tom McKay
Representative Craig Johnson
Representative Jesse Sumner
Representative Louise Stutes
Representative Genevieve Mina
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
PRESENTATION(S): INFRASTRUCTURE COMPETITIVE GRANTS
- HEARD
HOUSE BILL NO. 288
"An Act renaming Fairbanks International Airport as Don Young
Fairbanks International Airport; and providing for an effective
date."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 288
SHORT TITLE: DON YOUNG FAIRBANKS INT'L AIRPORT
SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
01/24/24 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/24/24 (H) TRA, FIN
02/01/24 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124
WITNESS REGISTER
KATHERINE KEITH, Deputy Commissioner
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Co-presented a PowerPoint, titled
"Infrastructure Competitive Grants."
ADAM MOSER, Program Development Chief
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Co-presented a PowerPoint, titled
"Infrastructure Competitive Grants."
ANDY MILLS, Legislative Liaison
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced HB 288 on behalf of the sponsor,
House Rules by request of the governor.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:02:07 PM
CHAIR KEVIN MCCABE called the House Transportation Standing
Committee meeting to order at 1:02 p.m. Representatives McKay,
C. Johnson, Vance, Sumner, Mina, and McCabe were present at the
call to order. Representative Stutes arrived as the meeting was
in progress.
^PRESENTATION(S): INFRASTRUCTURE COMPETITIVE GRANTS
PRESENTATION(S): INFRASTRUCTURE COMPETITIVE GRANTS
1:02:49 PM
CHAIR MCCABE announced that the first order of business would be
the Infrastructure Competitive Grants presentation.
1:03:18 PM
KATHERINE KEITH, Deputy Commissioner, Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities, co-presented a PowerPoint,
titled "Infrastructure Competitive Grants" [hard copy included
in the committee packet]. She provided a summary of
discretionary grants and referred to additional documents that
were also included in the committee packet. She referred to a
quick-response code ["QR code"] included on slide 2, titled
"Accelerating Alaska's Transportation Infrastructure through
Proactive Funding," that provided access to a document covering
public comments. She added that the document was "fascinating"
and that the public had much to say about projects in the
communities and their needs. She further provided information
that would be in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan
(STIP).
1:08:44 PM
MS. KEITH expounded on the points on slide 2, which read as
follows [original punctuation provided]:
Quantified Project Outlook above Four-Year Revenue
Forecast
• $507M in 11 illustrative projects
• $90.3M in 4 projects using advance construction
authority
• $748M in 40 community-driven projects
1:12:54 PM
MS. KEITH proceeded to slide 3, titled "Bridging the Gap with
Discretionary Grants," which showed in greater detail what
grants the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
(DOT&PF) had been pursuing and had been successful in receiving.
She said if this success continues, it could offset and meet
some needs that have been pushed down. She noted that 20
successful grants were awarded and further highlighted
partnerships. She briefly touched on slide 4, titled "Return on
Investment" and that the return on investment on state funds was
21:1.
1:15:26 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES asked whether federal funds could be used
for the match dollars.
MS. KEITH replied that DOT&PF submitted its package to the
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and is waiting for
approval.
1:17:11 PM
MS. KEITH continue on slide 5, titled "Project Delivery Center
of Excellence," which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
Modernizing Project Management
People Are we structured the right way? Do we have
the right
resources? Who needs to be on the team?
Processes Are we using the best method for the
project in
hand? Are there new and agile ways to approach
management and
delivery?
Tools Are we maximizing our current tools? What
else do we
need? What are our gaps?
MS. KEITH summarized a chart shown on slide 6, titled "Building
on Success," featuring federal funding from grants. She
stressed that the grants require a match, and the department
pursues what it feels would be successful.
1:20:48 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE asked what type of grants DOT&PF was
pursuing from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA).
1:21:03 PM
ADAM MOSER, Program Development Chief, Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities, addressed Representative
Vance and answered that the department applied to NOAA for fish
passage grants, which he noted would be covered later in the
presentation.
1:21:35 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SUMNER asked whether DOT&PF reached out to the
Matanuska-Susitna (Mat-Su) Borough about the fish passage
grants, as the borough had success with them.
MR. MOSER replied that the regional office had been working with
Mat-Su on some of its grants and projects.
1:22:15 PM
CHAIR MCCABE noted his disappointment with the zero awarded
Federal Rail Administration (FRA) grants and inquired who would
apply for those types of grants.
MS. KEITH responded that the Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC)
had success submitting grants to FRA.
CHAIR MCCABE asked for an example of the $57.1 grants [as shown
on slide 6 under FRA] that DOT&PF submitted.
MS. KEITH answered that would be covered during following
slides. She proceeded to discuss types of grants and awards.
She further noted DOT&PF's regular communication with ARCC and
that it places more emphasis on its grant programs.
CHAIR MCCABE asked specifically which grants have been applied
for with the FRA. He noted safety concerns at railroad
crossings.
MS. KEITH offered to provide the committee with a list of grants
that DOT&PF has applied for.
CHAIR MCCABE drew attention to Maritime Administration (MARAD)
grants as listed on slide 6 and mentioned that Port MacKenzie
was a marine highway terminus. He expressed interest in whether
DOT&PF applied for anything surrounding this.
1:26:59 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTUES asked whether all of the Alaska Marine
Highway System (AMHS) grants applied for were 50 percent
matching grants.
MS. KEITH said the only portion that is 50 percent match is the
operating grant. She returned to the PowerPoint, proceeding to
slide 7, titled "Maritime Administration (MARAD)," which read as
follows [original punctuation provided]:
• Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP)
Grants
• Small Shipyard Grants
• United States Marine Highway Program
1:29:07 PM
MS. KEITH moved to slide 8, titled "Port Improvement Development
Projects (PIDP)." The slide showed what DOT&PF had been
supporting and advocating for as far as awards. She advanced to
slide 9, titled "USDOT Secretary's Office," which read as
follows [original punctuation provided]:
• Multimodal Project Discretionary Grants: Mega,
INFRA, and
Rural
• RAISE: Rebuilding America's Infrastructure with
Sustainability
and Equity
• Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A)
• SMART: Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing
Transportation Grants Program
• National Culvert Removal Replacement and Restoration
MS. KEITH briefly covered slide 10, titled "RAIS and MPDG: Major
Infrastructure," which featured community-driven awards.
1:32:39 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MINA asked about communities in other states that
have received similar funding and what made Alaska less
attractive to the federal government.
MS. KEITH replied that the department had done data analysis
with an emphasis on benefit cost analysis, and she said Alaska
had a "low population group" that made it less competitive.
MR. MOSER added that there have been some very large projects -
such as bridge projects - and those are the ones being sought to
be funded.
1:34:28 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES asked whether community awards have been
applied for by the state or by the communities.
MS. KEITH said it was ultimately the local government that does
the application.
1:35:47 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE asked whether one of the purposes to assist
communities was to help facilitate grants and get collaboration
going forward.
MS. KEITH strongly agreed. She noted a few projects that were
underway.
1:37:38 PM
MR. MOSER continued on slide 11, titled "Statewide Community
Connectivity Action Plan," which showed an example of a
successful project DOT&PF had in collaboration with the Alaska
Municipal League.
1:38:48 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MINA voiced her excitement for the plan and to
see progress with statewide collaboration. She asked about the
timeline for the completion of "the report."
MR. MOSER said there are many months between announcements of
awards and signing grant agreements with the awarding agency.
He continued with an example of another grant award received
shown on slide 12, titled "National Culvert Removal Replacement
and Restoration Grant Program." He expounded on what could be
done with the money granted.
1:40:29 PM
MS. KEITH continued on slide 13, titled "Strengthening Mobility
and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants Program." The
slide featured the Alaska Rural Remote Operations Workplan
(ARROW) grant. She said it encompassed drone technology to help
DOT&PF in various areas. She advanced to slide 14, titled
"Federal Highways Administration (FHWA)," which read as follows
[original punctuation provided]:
• Accelerated Innovation Deployment Demonstration
Funding
• ATTAIN: Advanced Transportation Technology and
Innovation
• Bridge Improvement Program: Large, Small, and
Planning
• Charging and Fueling Infrastructure
• PROTECT: Promoting Resilient Operations for
Transformative,
Efficient, and Cost-saving Transportation Program
• Reconnecting Communities; Neighborhood Access and
Equity
• Thriving Communities Regional Pilot Program
• Wildlife Crossings
MS. KEITH briefly covered slide 15, titled "Reconnecting
Communities and SS4A." She noted there were several communities
that submitted planning grants for safe streets.
1:44:32 PM
MR. MOSER continued on slide 16, titled "Bridge Improvement
Program." He said the program offered numerous types of awards
and was funded at "fifty-fifty." He added that there were
planning grants also included under the bridge program, and he
provided brief examples of successes.
1:45:28 PM
MS. KEITH moved to slide 17, titled "Federal Transit
Administration (FTA)," which read as follows [original
punctuation provided]:
• Advanced Digital Construction Management Systems
• Innovative Coordinated Access & Mobility
• Electric or Low Emitting Ferry Pilot Program
• Areas of Persistent Poverty Program
• Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development
Planning
• Ferry Service for Rural Communities
MS. KEITH advanced to slide 18, titled "Ferry Grants." The
slide featured awarded projects and a small chart showing
funding opportunities.
1:47:04 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES referred to slide 16 and the particular
area shown [Russian and Sargent Rivers]. She noted the flooding
of homes each year and that time was of the essence, and she
asked what the time frame may be for the bridge improvement
program.
1:47:43 PM
MR. MOSER said he could provide a specific timeframe as to when
the planning could be done.
1:48:28 PM
MS. KEITH added that needs were being addressed beyond the
planning study to take care of some of the immediate flooding.
She proceeded to slide 19, titled "Transit Grants," which
featured an $800,000 planning grant. She said staffing is low
for this program and DOT&PF is working on a solution.
1:50:32 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MINA asked for a timeline for the study.
MR. MOSER replied that the grant agreement had not yet been
finalized and once the project team is together, he would
communicate with the committee.
1:51:51 PM
MS. KEITH moved to slide 20, titled "Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA)." The slide featured various programs and
grants, and she noted that there were fewer opportunities
available through the FAA for rural airports unlike on the
highway side. She added that DOT&PF's statewide aviation team
was focused on the airport terminal program.
1:54:24 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE asked for clarification on what the new jet
fuel was.
MS. KEITH answered that sustainable jet fuel is currently being
used in combination with regular jet fuel. She added that
renewable diesel is bought as soon as it is produced and there
are additional options as well for alternative fuel. She said
DOT&PF also looked to any possibility to help industry partners
as they come into the state and to be ready for any potential
regulations as they come.
1:56:52 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES commented that she was confused about the
fuel combination.
MS. KEITH gave a brief explanation but stated that she was not
an expert in the chemical process and would share the studies at
a later date.
1:58:03 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MINA expressed interest in future conversations
surrounding alternative fuels and was curious if particular
grants relate to work being done to look at aviation gasoline
("avgas") alternatives. She added that her district is near
Merrill Field.
MS. KEITH said more discussions need to take place with other
industries and more resources are needed so the department can
"figure out where that is." She advanced to slide 22, titled
"Grant Competitiveness," which showed a chart with compiled
project data and ranks of outputs. She noted there are plenty
of projects already in process and the federal agencies are
looking at projects that are "shovel ready."
2:01:08 PM
MR. MOSER stressed that readiness is a huge part of the grants
the department sought. The merit criteria differed by grant and
must be shown by hard data and benefit cost analysis, he said.
2:02:14 PM
CHAIR MCCABE asked how much money is being spent on road
corridors.
MS. KEITH replied that the department needed to look at a wide
variety of factors when putting together a benefit cost
analysis. She drew attention to the QR code on slide 23 that
she explained would provide access to the list of grants
submitted by DOT&PF, amongst additional information.
2:05:13 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MINA commented about the functionality of the
department website.
MS. KEITH said that she would look into the website and ensure
that it is operational.
2:06:07 PM
REPRESENTIATIVE SUMNER referred to equity scoring for projects
and whether it had been mentioned.
MS. KEITH responded that there are requirements for most
projects to reach Justice40 communities. She added that DOT&PF
must provide a map to what area the projects are in, such as if
the community is disadvantaged, and it would then get a certain
number of points.
2:08:04 PM
The committee took a brief at-ease at 2:08 p.m.
HB 288-DON YOUNG FAIRBANKS INT'L AIRPORT
2:08:39 PM
CHAIR MCCABE announced that the final order of business would be
HB 288, "An Act renaming Fairbanks International Airport as Don
Young Fairbanks International Airport; and providing for an
effective date."
2:09:13 PM
ANDY MILLS, Legislative Liaison, Department of Transportation
and Public Facilities, introduced HB 288 on behalf of the
sponsor, House Rules by request of the governor. He noted
several other infrastructures have been named after the late
congressman, Don Young, and this legislation seeks to recognize
him due to his contributions to transportation infrastructure
and to Congress. He confirmed he heard from many that supported
the proposed bill. He noted that the airport naming would be
from a state perspective over federal or local.
2:13:36 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE asked why Fairbanks was chosen and not the
capital city of Juneau.
MR. MILLS clarified that Juneau is a municipal airport and from
a state perspective, Fairbanks is a hub for the northern part of
Alaska.
2:14:58 PM
CHAIR MCCABE commented that some residents may not want to
change the airport designation, "FAI," and he further added that
the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) may not want to change
the identifier. He questioned the fiscal note and how $600,000
was determined.
MR. MILLS confirmed that the FAI designation would not change.
He noted that cost analysis does not include statues or
decorative signs.
2:18:14 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MINA asked about the timeline for changing all
the items listed in the fiscal note.
MR. MILLS offered his understanding that it would be less than a
year before shifting over to the new signage and new name.
2:19:24 PM
CHAIR MCCABE announced that HB 288 was held over.
2:19:56 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Transportation Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 2:20
p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 288 version A.pdf |
HTRA 2/1/2024 1:00:00 PM |
HB 288 |
| HB 288 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HTRA 2/1/2024 1:00:00 PM |
HB 288 |
| HB 288 Fiscal Note.pdf |
HTRA 2/1/2024 1:00:00 PM |
HB 288 |
| H TRA.DOTPF.Infrastructure Competitive Grants.2.1.24.pdf |
HTRA 2/1/2024 1:00:00 PM |
|
| HB 288 Sectional Analysis.pdf |
HTRA 2/1/2024 1:00:00 PM |
HB 288 |
| HB 288 Hearing Request.pdf |
HTRA 2/1/2024 1:00:00 PM |
HB 288 |