04/05/2022 01:30 PM Senate TRANSPORTATION

Senate TRA 04/05/2022 13:37

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Audio	Topic
01:37:04 PM	Start
01:37:34 PM	SB170
01:41:13 PM	Adjourn

* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled

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+=	SB 170	MARINE HIGHWAY CORPORATION	TELECONFERENCED
		Heard & Held
		-- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> --
+		Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled	TELECONFERENCED
		Streamed live on AKL.tv

pdf txt

ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE SENATE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE April 5, 2022 1:37 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Senator Robert Myers, Chair Senator Mike Shower, Vice Chair Senator Jesse Kiehl MEMBERS ABSENT Senator Click Bishop Senator Peter Micciche COMMITTEE CALENDAR SENATE BILL NO. 170 "An Act relating to the Alaska marine highway system; establishing the Alaska Marine Highway Corporation; and providing for an effective date." - HEARD & HELD PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION BILL: SB 170 SHORT TITLE: MARINE HIGHWAY CORPORATION SPONSOR(s): TRANSPORTATION 01/21/22 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS

01/21/22 (S) TRA, L&C, FIN 02/17/22 (S) TRA AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg) 02/17/22 (S) Heard & Held 02/17/22 (S) MINUTE(TRA) 02/22/22 (S) TRA AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg) 02/22/22 (S) Heard & Held 02/22/22 (S) MINUTE(TRA) 03/17/22 (S) TRA AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg) 03/17/22 (S) Heard & Held 03/17/22 (S) MINUTE(TRA) 03/22/22 (S) TRA AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg) 03/22/22 (S) Heard & Held 03/22/22 (S) MINUTE(TRA) 03/24/22 (S) TRA AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg) 03/24/22 (S) Heard & Held 03/24/22 (S) MINUTE(TRA) 03/29/22 (S) TRA AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg) 03/29/22 (S) -- MEETING CANCELED -- 03/31/22 (S) TRA AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg) 03/31/22 (S) -- MEETING CANCELED -- 04/05/22 (S) TRA AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg) WITNESS REGISTER SHANNON ADAMSON, Alaska Regional Representative Masters, Mates and Pilots (MMP) Juneau, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 170 but highlighted several concerns. ACTION NARRATIVE 1:37:04 PM CHAIR ROBERT MYERS called the Senate Transportation Standing Committee meeting to order at 1:37 p.m. Present at the call to order were Senators Kiehl, Shower, and Chair Myers. SB 170-MARINE HIGHWAY CORPORATION 1:37:34 PM CHAIR MYERS announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 170 "An Act relating to the Alaska highway system; establishing the Alaska Marine Highway Corporation; and providing for an effective date." 1:37:44 PM CHAIR MYERS opened public testimony on SB 170. 1:38:11 PM SHANNON ADAMSON, Alaska Regional Representative, Masters, Mates and Pilots (MMP), Juneau, Alaska, stated that MMP represents the licensed deck officers with the Alaska Marine Highway System. She said she was also speaking on behalf of the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association (MEBA), which represents the licensed engineering officers for AMHS. She provided her background, indicating that she sailed with AMHS as a licensed deck officer for seven years; and served on the Marine Transportation Advisory Board and Southeast Conferences AMHS Reform Steering Committee. She stated that many provisions in the bill would create a stronger and more reliable marine highway system, including the public comment period for service or schedule changes, the creation of a long-term comprehensive plan that has provisions for vessel replacement after 30 years of service, and the section regarding performance reporting and transparencies. 1:39:14 PM MS. ADAMSON expressed concern about some provisions in the bill, including the board composition that lacks a designated union seat, that this board would prevent more than one union member from serving. She offered her view that MMP and MEBA believes that the more engagement that the board receives from those working on vessels would better inform the board. The unions also have concerns regarding the language that requires each sailing to show that anticipated incremental revenue meets or exceeds the cost of providing the service. MMP and MEBA are concerned that this may be unrealistic for all routes. She stated that some routes will make more money than others which would offset the costs of the routes that provide necessary service to rural communities and villages. The language regarding the rates for tickets could mean that ticket prices would be set above market value, which seems prohibitive, particularly for village runs where service is a necessity. She suggested that rates could be determined by the corporation or a third-party company, similar to Washington states rate setting. She thanked members for the opportunity to testify and expressed optimism that this bill would create positive change. CHAIR MYERS closed public testimony on SB 170. 1:40:47 PM CHAIR MYERS held SB 170 in committee. CHAIR MYERS provided the email address for anyone who wished to submit written testimony to the committee as senate.transportation@akleg.gov. 1:41:13 PM There being no further business to come before the committee, Chair Myers adjourned the Senate Transportation Standing Committee meeting at 1:41 p.m.

Document Name	Date/Time	Subjects
SB170 Testimony as of 4.5.22.pdf	STRA 4/5/2022 1:30:00 PM	SB 170

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