Legislature(2017 - 2018)SENATE FINANCE 532
02/15/2017 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB9 | |
| SB14 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 9 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 14 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
February 15, 2017
9:00 a.m.
9:00:48 AM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair MacKinnon called the Senate Finance Committee
meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Lyman Hoffman, Co-Chair
Senator Anna MacKinnon, Co-Chair
Senator Click Bishop, Vice-Chair
Senator Mike Dunleavy
Senator Peter Micciche
Senator Donny Olson
Senator Natasha von Imhof
MEMBERS ABSENT
None
ALSO PRESENT
Chad Hutchinson, Staff, Senator Coghill.
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
James Harris, Owner, Juneau Taxi, Juneau; Sam Moore, Self,
Anchorage.
SUMMARY
SB 9 MILITARY FACILITY ZONES
CSSB 9(FIN) was REPORTED out of committee with no
recommendation and with a previously published
zero fiscal note: FN 1 (MVA).
SB 14 TRANSPORTATION NETWORK COMPANIES
SB 14 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
SENATE BILL NO. 9
"An Act relating to military facility zones."
9:02:09 AM
CHAD HUTCHINSON, STAFF, SENATOR COGHILL, presented an
overview of the legislation. He stated that the bill would
maximize the benefit to Alaskans in areas surrounding
military installations. The bill would create a streamlined
process to obtain military facility zone designations from
the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) by
making it easier for local municipalities and boroughs to
have a quicker application process. He stated that the
military facility zones were important, because the zones
allowed for lower interest rates, credits, and property
reclassifications. The actions could occur as long as the
underlying interest supported the military mission on the
military instillation. He felt that the bill was beneficial
to national security and the military mission.
Vice-Chair Bishop MOVED to REPORT CSSB 9(FIN) with
individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
CSSB 9(FIN) was REPORTED out of committee with no
recommendation and with a previously published zero fiscal
note: FN 1 (MVA).
9:03:53 AM
AT EASE
9:07:47 AM
RECONVENED
SENATE BILL NO. 14
"An Act relating to transportation network companies
and transportation network company drivers."
9:08:09 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon REOPENED public testimony.
9:08:45 AM
JAMES HARRIS, OWNER, JUNEAU TAXI, JUNEAU (via
teleconference), testified against the legislation. He
remarked that the legislation would reduce the wages, and
reduce the amount of money contributed to the state. He
remarked that there was a certain pool of customers in each
community. He remarked that his company was already not
busy, so adding several drivers to the pool in a small
customer base would reduce the wages across the board. He
shared that the drivers would then only make minimum wage.
He asserted that Uber drivers made minimum wage. He
wondered why there was a concern to bring a business into
the state that did not pay any money to the state and not
pay their employees. There would be a negative effect on
the cab industry, because there would not be as many
dispatchers. He stressed that the taxi companies were
required to have contracts; special insurance for the
vehicles; pay extra at the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
for commercial registration. He assumed that Uber drivers
would not have to purchase special insurance, because they
use their personal vehicle, resulting in more state revenue
lost. He noted that everyone would lose money, except for
Uber. He felt that the bill would only slow down the
industry, and limit the ability to not afford better
vehicles and provide better service. He shared that Uber
charged customers much more than what they would normally
pay during a busy time.
Co-Chair MacKinnon requested a closing comment.
Mr. Harris concluded his comments.
9:14:28 AM
SAM MOORE, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in
favor of SB 14. She wanted to have more opportunities for
mobility. She stated that she was legally blind, so she
used the public transportation. She felt that the bill
provided more mobility options for people to have an easier
access to transportation. She felt that a safe ride would
generate economic activity. She remarked that the bill was
not about taxis, rather was about more mobility options.
She felt that the bill would make for more vibrant,
livable, and walkable communities.
Co-Chair MacKinnon CLOSED public testimony.
Co-Chair MacKinnon stressed that the bill did not address
taxicabs. She explained that the legislation was a
transportation network bill. She stated that the drivers
were independent contractors: they would drive their own
vehicles; use their own phone; no scheduled shifts; and
would have no direct supervisor.
9:17:10 AM
AT EASE
9:17:26 AM
RECONVENED
9:17:29 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon noted that Department of Commerce,
Community and Economic Development (DCCED), Department of
Law (LAW) would be available to answer questions about the
fiscal note.
SB 14 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
ADJOURNMENT
9:17:55 AM
The meeting was adjourned at 9:17 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 14 - Opposition Letter - Brennan.pdf |
SFIN 2/15/2017 9:00:00 AM |
SB 14 |
| SB 9 DMVA Follow-up 021317.pdf |
SFIN 2/15/2017 9:00:00 AM |
SB 9 |
| SB 14 - Testimony - AML.pdf |
SFIN 2/15/2017 9:00:00 AM |
SB 14 |