Legislature(2019 - 2020)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
05/08/2019 05:00 PM Senate TRANSPORTATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HJR12 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HJR 12 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
May 8, 2019
5:01 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Shelley Hughes, Chair
Senator Mike Shower, Vice Chair
Senator David Wilson
Senator Jesse Kiehl
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Peter Micciche
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 12
Supporting the completion of the Northern Rail Extension;
supporting the increase in defensive capabilities at Fort
Greely, Alaska; and encouraging the development of critical
Arctic infrastructure.
- MOVED HJR 12 OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HJR 12
SHORT TITLE: NORTHERN RAIL EXTENSION
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) TALERICO
03/13/19 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/13/19 (H) MLV, TRA
03/19/19 (H) MLV AT 2:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
03/19/19 (H) Heard & Held
03/19/19 (H) MINUTE(MLV)
03/21/19 (H) MLV AT 2:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
03/21/19 (H) Moved HJR 12 Out of Committee
03/21/19 (H) MINUTE(MLV)
03/22/19 (H) MLV RPT 4DP
03/22/19 (H) DP: RAUSCHER, JACKSON, TARR, LEDOUX
04/02/19 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124
04/02/19 (H) Heard & Held
04/02/19 (H) MINUTE(TRA)
04/16/19 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124
04/16/19 (H) Moved HJR 12 Out of Committee
04/16/19 (H) MINUTE(TRA)
04/17/19 (H) TRA RPT 6DP
04/17/19 (H) DP: STORY, TALERICO, DRUMMOND,
RASMUSSEN, STUTES, WOOL
05/06/19 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
05/06/19 (H) VERSION: HJR 12
05/07/19 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
05/07/19 (S) TRA
05/08/19 (S) TRA AT 5:00 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE DAVE TALERICO
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of HJR 12.
THOMAS STUDLER, Staff
Representative Dave Talerico
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information related to HJR 12 on
behalf of the sponsor.
TIM SULLIVAN, Director of External Affairs
Alaska Railroad Corporation
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions related to HJR 12.
ACTION NARRATIVE
5:01:34 PM
CHAIR SHELLEY HUGHES called the Senate Transportation Standing
Committee meeting to order at 5:01 p.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Wilson, Kiehl, Shower, and Chair Hughes.
HJR 12-NORTHERN RAIL EXTENSION
5:02:24 PM
CHAIR HUGHES announced that the consideration of HOUSE JOINT
RESOLUTION NO. 12, Supporting the completion of the Northern
Rail Extension; supporting the increase in defensive
capabilities at Fort Greely, Alaska; and encouraging the
development of critical Arctic infrastructure.
CHAIR HUGHES stated that it is timely to hear HJR 12 this year
as opposed to next January because cycle.
5:02:48 PM
REPRESENTATIVE DAVE TALERICO, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau,
sponsor of HJR 12, expressed appreciation that the committee
agreed to hear the bill this late in the session. He agreed with
the chair that it is timely.
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO introduced HJR 12, paraphrasing the
following sponsor statement: [Original punctuations provided.]
Completing the Northern Rail Extension to Fort Greely
and Delta Junction would support Military operations,
mining, and agricultural in the Interior of Alaska.
In the Act of 1914, the United States Congress
authorized the construction of a railroad in Alaska.
The railroad was to connect one or more open harbors
in Alaska, with the Interior of Alaska, to develop
agricultural and mineral resources of Alaska, and the
settlement of people on public lands therein, to
provide transportation of fuels for the Military,
transporting troops, arms, munitions, the mail, and
other governmental and public uses. Unfortunately,
that dream was never realized.
The Alaska Railroad Transfer Act (ARTA) of 1983, the
U.S. Congress again recognized the importance of the
railroad in providing freight and passenger rail
service to Alaska. Congress also found that
continuation of services and the expansion of those
services are necessary to achieve Federal, State, and
private objectives. The State's continued operation
together with expansion of the railroad constitutes an
appropriate public use of the rail system. Once again,
the dream of expansion was unrealized.
Finally, in 2013, almost one hundred years later, the
Northern rail expansion was proposed by Alaska
Railroad in conjunction with the Department of
Defense, the four phased plan was completed. Phase
one, Crossing the Tanana River, was completed. The
remaining three phases need to be accomplished before
we can realize completion of the Northern rail
expansion.
With the expansion of the Fort Greely missile complex
and expanded training ranges, increased agriculture in
Delta Junction, and increased mining operations in the
area. This resolution supports critical infrastructure
development, national security, economic development,
and natural resource development in the State of
Alaska. The Northern Rail Extension project would
provide essential freight and passenger service to
support transportation and mobility needs of the
region.
This is a project long overdue for Alaska and I ask
for your support for this resolution.
5:06:55 PM
THOMAS STUDLER, Staff, Representative Dave Talerico, Alaska
State Legislature, Juneau, summarized that in 1914 Congress
authorized the construction of 1,000 miles of rail in Alaska and
532 miles have yet to be constructed. The federal government
owes the state the rest of that rail, he said.
5:07:36 PM
CHAIR HUGHES noted that the supporting materials said that Fort
Greely is the only military base in the state that is not on the
rail line. She asked if the base is unique nationally because it
does not have a second transportation route.
MR. STUDLER opined that it is extremely rare for a military base
to have just one route in and out. "Most military installations
within the Continental United States have rail and highway or
port and highway," he said.
5:08:44 PM
SENATOR SHOWER agreed that it is rare for a base to have just
one option to move equipment and troops. Those are bases like an
Air Force base that would fly equipment out as opposed to
driving. Virtually all Marine, Army, and Navy bases have some
type of rail system to move heavy equipment in and out.
CHAIR HUGHES asked if Phase I of the rail project crosses the
Tanana River into North Pole
MR. STUDLER clarified that while the bridge across the Tanana
River is complete, it does not have rails.
CHAIR SHOWER related that part of the joint base plan was to
build rail to move equipment for land-based training so the
Tanana Bridge has been a critical component for a long time. He
added that this is another part of the Alberta to Alaska railway
project.
5:11:27 PM
CHAIR HUGHES noted that in 2008 the U.S. Department of Defense
(DoD) allocated about $117 million for Phase I and the state
contributed $88 million in 2010 and 2011. She asked if the
expectation is that the remaining $650 million to $850 million
will be federal dollars.
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO confirmed that was his expectation. He
said the DoD is starting to recognize that this is a critical
piece of infrastructure, particularly for the national defense
system for Fort Greely. He reminded the members that the Alaska
Congressional Delegation more than once has talked about how
helpful a resolution from the legislature is when they're trying
to secure things for Alaska. He expressed hope that HJR 12 would
serve as a catalyst to get critical infrastructure to Fort
Greely.
5:13:15 PM
CHAIR HUGHES noted that a 2013 project fact sheet says sources
for the funding may include federal and state appropriations.
She asked if it was his understanding that the Alaska delegation
is advocating for federal funding without a state match.
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO said that's correct. "The request would
be for full federal funding to finish the project."
SENATOR SHOWER said it's important to get into the five-year
funding cycle under the current administration that is pro
military buildup and spending. If funding is approved, it would
be unusual for it to be removed even if the administration
changes and the new president has a different view.
CHAIR HUGHES thanked the sponsor for including the Alaska
Railroad Corporation Act in the packet. She noted that AS
42.45.050 adds authorization for the Fort Greely extension but
there is nothing about the extension to Delta Junction. As this
project goes forward, that authorization might need to be put in
statute, she said.
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO said he would look into that because
that authorization is necessary.
SENATOR SHOWER asked if the plan includes a switching station in
Delta Junction.
MR. STUDLER said yes; the plan is to build into Delta Junction
with a spur into Fort Greely.
CHAIR HUGHES said if that's the case the existing statute may be
adequate. She asked Mr. Sullivan if it was his understanding
that the remainder of the funding would come through the DoD.
5:18:12 PM
TIM SULLIVAN, Director of External Affairs, Alaska Railroad
Corporation (ARRC), Anchorage, said that is the hope.
CHAIR HUGHES asked if the existing statute authorizes the
railroad to both Delta Junction and Fort Greely.
MR. SULLIVAN said he would need to check the statute but it was
always understood that rail to Delta Junction was part of the
Northern Rail Extension. If the statute needs to be changed ARRC
would support the changes, he said. He added that ARRC supports
the resolution asking the federal government to complete the
project.
SENATOR SHOWER asked if he was aware of any right of way or land
transfer issues that might arise and slow the project.
MR. SULLIVAN replied the environmental impact statement (EIS) is
complete and the necessary rights of way have been laid out for
the project. "I don't see that there is going to be any efforts
to complete the project with right of way issues."
5:20:36 PM
CHAIR HUGHES opened and closed public testimony on HJR 12. She
asked the will of the committee.
5:21:02 PM
SENATOR SHOWER moved to report HJR 12, work order 31-LS0633\A,
from committee with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal note(s).
CHAIR HUGHES found no objection and HJR 12 was reported from the
Senate Transportation Standing Committee.
5:21:34 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Hughes adjourned the Senate Transportation Standing
Committee meeting at 5:21 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| STRA Agenda 5.8.19.pdf |
STRA 5/8/2019 5:00:00 PM |
|
| HJR 12 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HMLV 3/19/2019 2:00:00 PM STRA 5/8/2019 5:00:00 PM |
HJR 12 |
| HJR12 verA.pdf |
HMLV 3/19/2019 2:00:00 PM HMLV 3/21/2019 2:00:00 PM STRA 5/8/2019 5:00:00 PM |
HJR 12 |
| HJR12 Fiscal Note 3.21.19.pdf |
HMLV 3/21/2019 2:00:00 PM HTRA 4/2/2019 1:00:00 PM STRA 5/8/2019 5:00:00 PM |
HJR 12 |
| HJR 12 RR Northern Rail Extension Project Scope.pdf |
HMLV 3/19/2019 2:00:00 PM HMLV 3/21/2019 2:00:00 PM STRA 5/8/2019 5:00:00 PM |
HJR 12 |
| HJR12 Additional Documents Alaska Rail Act of 1914.pdf |
HMLV 3/19/2019 2:00:00 PM HMLV 3/21/2019 2:00:00 PM STRA 5/8/2019 5:00:00 PM |
HJR 12 |
| HJR 12 Supporting Document ARCA_October_2012.pdf |
HMLV 3/19/2019 2:00:00 PM HMLV 3/21/2019 2:00:00 PM STRA 5/8/2019 5:00:00 PM |
HJR 12 |
| HJR 12 Supporting Document ARTA_2005.pdf |
HMLV 3/19/2019 2:00:00 PM HMLV 3/21/2019 2:00:00 PM STRA 5/8/2019 5:00:00 PM |
HJR 12 |
| HJR 12 Supporting Document HCR2 (2003).pdf |
HMLV 3/21/2019 2:00:00 PM HTRA 4/2/2019 1:00:00 PM STRA 5/8/2019 5:00:00 PM |
HCR 2 HJR 12 |
| HJR12 Supporting Document Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce 5.2.19.pdf |
HMLV 3/21/2019 2:00:00 PM STRA 5/8/2019 5:00:00 PM |
HJR 12 |