05/02/2024 01:00 PM House TRANSPORTATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB355 | |
| HB233 | |
| HB332 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| *+ | HB 355 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 233 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 332 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
May 2, 2024
3:51 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
HOUSE BILL NO. 355
"An Act relating to the duties of the Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities; and relating to a
statewide public and community transit plan."
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 233
"An Act relating to rates and time allowances for motor vehicle
warranty work."
- MOVED CSHB 233(TRA) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 332
"An Act relating to the sale of the Alaska Railroad; and
providing for an effective date."
- MOVED HB 332 OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 355
SHORT TITLE: STATEWIDE PUBLIC & COMMUNITY TRANSIT PLAN
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) MINA
02/20/24 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/20/24 (H) TRA, CRA
04/09/24 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124
04/09/24 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
05/02/24 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124
BILL: HB 233
SHORT TITLE: RATES: MOTOR VEHICLE WARRANTY WORK
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) TOMASZEWSKI
01/16/24 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/8/24
01/16/24 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/16/24 (H) L&C, JUD
03/06/24 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
03/06/24 (H) Heard & Held
03/06/24 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
03/15/24 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
03/15/24 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
03/22/24 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
03/22/24 (H) Heard & Held
03/22/24 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
04/18/24 (H) TRA REPLACES JUD REFERRAL
04/22/24 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/22/24 (H) Moved HB 233 Out of Committee
04/22/24 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
04/23/24 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124
04/23/24 (H) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
04/24/24 (H) L&C RPT 2DP 4NR
04/24/24 (H) DP: WRIGHT, CARRICK
04/24/24 (H) NR: FIELDS, PRAX, SADDLER, RUFFRIDGE
04/25/24 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124
04/25/24 (H) Heard & Held
04/25/24 (H) MINUTE(TRA)
04/27/24 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124
04/27/24 (H) Heard & Held
04/27/24 (H) MINUTE(TRA)
05/02/24 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124
BILL: HB 332
SHORT TITLE: SALE OF ALASKA RAILROAD
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) SUMNER
02/20/24 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/20/24 (H) TRA, FIN
03/07/24 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124
03/07/24 (H) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
03/21/24 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124
03/21/24 (H) Heard & Held
03/21/24 (H) MINUTE(TRA)
04/23/24 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124
04/23/24 (H) Heard & Held
04/23/24 (H) MINUTE(TRA)
05/02/24 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE GENEVIEVE MINA
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, presented HB 355.
MILLIE RYAN, President
Alaska Mobility Coalition
Homer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony in support of HB
355.
MICHELE GIRAULT, Executive Director
Hope Community Resources
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony in support of HB
355.
PATRICK REINHART, Executive Director
Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education
Homer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony in support of HB
355.
ANDY MILLS, Legislative Liaison
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
Office of the Commissioner
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
355.
JULIE MORRIS, Staff
Representative Kevin McCabe
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Explained amendments to HB 233 on behalf of
Representative McCabe, prime sponsor.
REPRESENTATIVE FRANK TOMASZEWSKI
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, answered questions during
the hearing on HB 233.
REPRESENTATIVE JESSE SUMNER
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, gave updates on HB 322.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:51:15 PM
CHAIR KEVIN MCCABE called the House Transportation Standing
Committee meeting to order at 3:51 p.m. Representatives McKay,
Stutes, Mina, Sumner, and McCabe were present at the call to
order. Representatives C. Johnson and Sumner arrived as the
meeting was in progress.
HB 355-STATEWIDE PUBLIC & COMMUNITY TRANSIT PLAN
3:52:33 PM
CHAIR MCCABE announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 355, "An Act relating to the duties of the
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities; and relating
to a statewide public and community transit plan."
3:52:52 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GENEVIEVE MINA, Alaska State Legislature, as
prime sponsor, presented HB 355. She paraphrased the sponsor
statement [included in the committee packet], which read as
follows [original punctuation provided]:
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public
Facilities (DOT&PF) stewards the state's
transportation system, and their statutory
responsibilities include studying alternative means of
improving transportation in the state. Currently,
DOT&PF is only required to study alternative modes of
transportation in urban areas.
HB 355 seeks to expand the scope of DOT&PF's long-term
statewide transportation planning to ensure local
input by public, tribal, and community transit
programs in improving Alaska's multimodal network.
Examples of existing community transit programs
include Anchorage's People Mover, Nome's Tribal
Transit Program, Juneau's Capital Transit, and Tok's
Interior Alaska Bus Line. Local collaboration on
transportation planning is a requirement for federal
funding of transportation projects. Lack of proper
public engagement can lead to Title VI violations and
puts Alaska at risk of reduced federal funding and
lawsuits.
Alternatives transportation methods are essential for
Alaskans with mobility issues, those without access to
a car, or who otherwise cannot drive. Public
transportation provides inclusive and equitable
mobility for Alaskans, especially for low-income
Alaskans, youth, and the elderly. Increasing transit
options provides a safe, essential means for Alaskans
to go to work, receive medical care, access community
resources, and participate in recreation activities.
Additionally, according to a 2022 DOT&PF study, Alaska
communities benefit from transit due to job creation,
increased business sales, reduction of road
congestion, air pollution, and travel times.
Access to public and community transit is essential to
connect all Alaskans to their jobs and communities. HB
355 improves the annual study, reporting, and
development of Alaska's multimodal transportation
network.
3:55:01 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES noted the exclusion of the Alaska Marine
Highway System (AMHS).
3:55:17 PM
CHAIR MCCABE communicated that there would not be a sectional
analysis provided today. He welcomed invited testifiers.
3:55:53 PM
MILLIE RYAN, President, Alaska Mobility Coalition, gave invited
testimony in support of HB 355. She gave a brief professional
background and stated that transportation was more than just
about transporting people. She provided examples of those who
cannot drive and the dependence they have on public
transportation, and it should be high priority, she opined.
Without transportation, she said, people become isolated,
depressed, and more dependent on others. She thanked the
committee for the opportunity to provide testimony on HB 355.
3:58:08 PM
MICHELE GIRAULT, Executive Director, Hope Community Resources,
gave invited testimony in support of HB 355. She provided her
professional background and shared that one of the key platform
issues this session was to support the Alaska Mobility
Coalition's advocacy for enhanced transportation. People with
disabilities must be provided adequate transportation to get to
work, mainly in rural areas where there are more complications,
she said. She reiterated her full support for HB 355 on behalf
of Hope Community Resources.
3:59:38 PM
PATRICK REINHART, Executive Director, Governor's Council on
Disabilities and Special Education, gave invited testimony in
support of HB 355. He stressed that this issue has been brought
forth with many other groups because year after year, the
importance of transportation focused on people with disabilities
and seniors, as well as those who do not drive and are dependent
upon systems that are robust and work.
4:01:07 PM
CHAIR MCCABE noted that Mr. Mills and Mr. Taylor, from the
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF),
were available online.
4:01:15 PM
ANDY MILLS, Legislative Liaison, Department of Transportation &
Public Facilities, Office of the Commissioner, was available for
questions during the hearing on HB 355 and noted that the
transportation commissioner has had "great conversations" with
the Alaska Mobility Coalition. He explained that DOT&PF wished
to prioritize transit with other modes, and that many of the
statutes do not list other modes. He offered to provide a
detailed list of what DOT&PF was currently involved in terms of
transit grants.
4:03:40 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES related that a disabled nephew in Kodiak
had been provided transportation, and she stressed the
"continuation of routine" that the transportation provided for
him. She expressed her support for the bill being brought
forth.
4:04:27 PM
CHAIR MCCABE announced that HB 355 was held over.
HB 233-RATES: MOTOR VEHICLE WARRANTY WORK
4:04:36 PM
CHAIR MCCABE announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 233, "An Act relating to rates and time
allowances for motor vehicle warranty work."
4:05:20 PM
JULIE MORRIS, Staff, Representative Kevin McCabe, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of Representative McCabe, prime sponsor,
provided explanation to the two amendments to HB 233 that were
adopted by the committee. She provided brief explanation to the
changes, which included synchronized rates and time allowances
for manufacturers and dealers aligning them with widely
recognized independent labor guides. In addition, a change
under "unfair practices" added a prevention for the manufacture
from passing extra costs incurred for warranty work to the
dealer. Last, she noted that there was a renumeration change on
page 3, line 23, Section 5.
4:06:58 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE moved to adopt the proposed committee
substitute (CS) for HB 233, Version 33-LS1042\B, Gunther,
4/30/24, as the work draft.
CHAIR MCCABE objected for the purpose of discussion.
4:07:22 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES expressed curiosity regarding any movement
toward a compromise. She shared that lobbyists had visited her
office with a copy of the compromise that manufacturers put
forward.
CHAIR MCCABE responded that he had not seen or heard anything of
that nature. In line with the CS, he pointed out that it
stated, "unless otherwise agreed to," which would provide ample
opportunity to make a compromise.
4:09:06 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FRANK TOMASZEWSKI, Alaska State Legislature, as
prime sponsor, answered questions during the hearing on HB 233,
and acknowledged that he had not seen any compromise and
supported the changes that had been implemented in the CS.
4:09:46 PM
CHAIR MCCABE removed his objection. [There being no further
objection, the proposed committee substitute, Version 33-
LS1042\B, Gunther, 4/30/24, ("Version B"), was treated as
adopted as a working document before the committee.]
4:10:00 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE moved to report CSHB 233, Version 33-
LS1042\B, Gunther, 4/30/24, out of committee with individual
recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being
no objection, CSHB 233(TRA) was reported out of the House
Transportation Standing Committee.
HB 332-SALE OF ALASKA RAILROAD
4:10:37 PM
CHAIR MCCABE announced that the final order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 332, "An Act relating to the sale of the Alaska
Railroad; and providing for an effective date."
4:10:59 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JESSE SUMNER, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor, offered updates on HB 332. He opined that the bill was
an interesting opportunity to look at the best way to sell the
Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC). He noted there were no
amendments to the proposed legislation.
4:12:02 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES asked what the next committee of referral
was. She observed that the bill got the attention of ARRC and
that she hopes it "wakes them up" and motivates the corporation
to do something.
CHAIR MCCABE opined it was incumbent on the state to look at
ARRC's assets occasionally and make sure it is still doing what
it is intended to do. He read from an evaluation from an
investment firm in reference to the sale of a railroad from the
Lower 48. He reiterated previous conversation regarding the
railroad being key to developing Port MacKenzie, which is key to
development in the Matanuska-Susitna ("Mat-Su") borough.
4:16:33 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES asked whether any committee members had
seen any numbers and to what degree ARRC was being subsidized by
rental income received off its property.
CHAIR MCCABE confirmed it had been brought up to him and that it
had been referred to as a "real estate company with a rail
problem."
4:17:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SUMNER noted that in light of hearing that ARRC
had bonding ability outside of construction, it could immerse in
other projects. He offered his belief that the railroad had
many missed opportunities.
4:18:39 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MINA noted her disappointment in the decline of
passenger service and how much more inaccessible it had become
for everyday Alaskans while still being "awesome" for tourism.
She said she hoped for more accessibility for passenger services
and that that would not go away if ARRC were sold to a private
company.
4:20:41 PM
CHAIR MCCABE agreed, and the deal would have to be structured as
such that ARRC would remain the only combined passenger and
freight service in the country. He pointed out that 70 percent
of the railroad's revenue comes from freight.
4:22:11 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES asked whether there was rail accessibility
at the Port of Anchorage and, if so, whether the same freight
could be hauled up from Anchorage.
CHAIR MCCABE responded, "Possibly."
4:23:26 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MINA noted the difference in the ability to
leverage as a public corporation versus losing that as a
financing mechanism for rail projects is a tradeoff she
struggled with.
CHAIR MCCABE replied that that bears some exploration but there
must still be a framework for a sale in place. He noted other
grants that may be available.
4:25:07 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE moved to report HB 332 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
notes.
REPRESENTATIVE MINA objected. She restated her concerns over
the loss of passenger rail and the loss of funding, but she did
not disagree with privatizing the railroad; however, she opined
that the bill was not needed to make that happen.
4:26:06 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SUMNER said while it may be true a bill is not
needed to sell ARRC, the bill created an interest and allowed
parties to approach.
4:26:36 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES commented that the bill also says to the
railroad that it is a state asset and should not be static.
4:27:10 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Vance, Stutes,
Sumner, C. Johnson, McKay, and McCabe voted in favor of the
motion to report HB 332 out of committee with individual
recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes.
Representative Mina voted against it. Therefore, HB 332 was
reported out of the House Transportation Standing Committee by a
vote of 6-1.
4:28:00 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Transportation Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 4:28
p.m.