02/05/2008 01:00 PM Senate TRANSPORTATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB218 | |
| SB236 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 218 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 236 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
LASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
February 5, 2008
1:06 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Albert Kookesh, Chair
Senator John Cowdery, Vice Chair, via teleconference
Senator Donald Olson
Senator Bill Wielechowski
Senator Gary Wilken
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 218
"An Act relating to use of child safety seats and seat belts."
MOVED SB 218 OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 236
"An Act establishing the Alaska transportation fund and relating
to the fund; and providing for an effective date."
MOVED SB 236 OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 218
SHORT TITLE: CHILD SAFETY SEATS & SEAT BELTS
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) FRENCH
01/16/08 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 01/11/08
01/16/08 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/16/08 (S) TRA, STA
01/29/08 (S) TRA AT 1:00 PM BUTROVICH 205
01/29/08 (S) TRANSPORTATION FUND
02/05/08 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 17
BILL: SB 236
SHORT TITLE: TRANSPORTATION FUND
SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
01/18/08 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/18/08 (S) TRA, FIN
01/29/08 (S) TRA AT 1:00 PM BUTROVICH 205
02/05/08 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 17
WITNESS REGISTER
ALLISON BIASTOCK, Staff
Senator French
Alaska State Capital
Juneau, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented an overview of SB 218.
RODNEY DIAL, Lieutenant
Department of Public Safety
Ketchikan, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Supported SB 218.
CINDY CASHEN, Administrator
Division Of Program Development
Highway Safety Office
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF)
Juneau, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions on SB 218.
GORDON GLASER
Injury Prevention of Children and Emergency Medical Services
Division of Public Health
Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS)
Anchorage, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions on SB 218.
NANCY SLAGLE, Director
Division of Administrative Services
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF)
Juneau, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions on SB 218 and SB 236.
BRENDA KNAPP, Health Program Manager
Division of Public Health
Injury Prevention and Emergency Medical Services
Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS)
Juneau, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Supported SB 218.
JOHN COOK, Legislative Director
Alaska Automobile Dealers Association
Anchorage, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Supported SB 218.
JANE FELLMAN, RN and Coordinator
Kenai Peninsula Safe Kids Coalition
Central Peninsula Hospital
Kenai, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Supported SB 218.
JANICE TOWER, Executive Director
Alaska Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics
Anchorage, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Supported SB 218.
PEGGY HAYASHI, RN and Chair
Child Passenger Safety Partnership Committee
Anchorage, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Supported SB 218.
FRANK RICHARDS, Deputy Commissioner
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF)
Juneau, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented overview of SB 236.
AVES THOMPSON, Executive Director
Alaska Trucking Association (ATA)
Anchorage, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Supported SB 236.
CINDY BETTINE, Member
MatSu Borough Assembly
Wasilla, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Supported SB 236.
MARIAN ROMANO, Borough Manger
MatSu Borough
Palmer, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Supported SB 236.
ACTION NARRATIVE
CHAIR ALBERT KOOKESH called the Senate Transportation Standing
Committee meeting to order 1:06:01 PM. Present at the call to
order were Senators Wielechowski, Wilken, Olson, Kookesh and
Cowdery via teleconference.
SB 218-CHILD SAFETY SEATS & SEAT BELTS
CHAIR KOOKESH announced the consideration of SB 218.
1:06:47 PM
ALLISON BIASTOCK, Staff, Senator French, sponsor of SB 218,
presented an overview. She had on display two booster seats, a
backless model and a full back model.
MS. BIASTOCK said that when children use adult seat belts in
place of a proper child safety device, injuries can occur. While
any restraint is better than no restraint, the use of proper
child safety seats and booster seats can prevent injuries.
Current Alaska law states that children under four must be
secured in a safety device meeting US Department of
Transportation (USDOT) standards. SB 218 places the U.S. DOT
guidelines into statute. A color chart in the bill packet
explains which child belongs in what device.
MS. BIASTOCK said a major change in statute would be the
requirement those children ages four to eight who do not meet
height and weight requirements need to use a seat belt-secured
booster seat or approved child-passenger restraint. Booster
seats are in essence big kid car seats. In most cases when
children outgrow their child seat, they are too small for an
adult seat belt. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that
booster seats are 60 percent safer than seat belts alone. There
are 38 states that currently mandate booster seats. Both the
seats on display would put a driver into compliance with the
language in SB 218. The backless model sells for $14 to $25, and
the fullback model costs $40. Both models cost less than a tank
of gas for most vehicles. The committee substitute (CS)
clarifies the age at which a child would use a booster seat. The
original bill might have a 15 year old who is small for his or
her age required by law to use a booster seat. This is the
reason for wording in the CS making it mandatory for booster
seats for kids four to eight who do not meet height and weight
requirements. If a child is over eight it's up to the parent or
guardian. This bill would also help law enforcement officers to
ask a child's age rather than trying to guess their height and
weight.
SENATOR COWDERY asked if there is confusion with the present
law.
MS. BIASTOCK said the present law is written in vague terms.
1:12:04 PM
CHAIR KOOKESH called an at ease.
1:13:28 PM
SENATOR WILKEN joined the meeting.
RODNEY DIAL, Lieutenant, Department of Public Safety, Ketchikan,
AK, said that some law enforcement officers and most parents do
not know which children should be in booster seats. The
Department of Public Safety supports SB 218; it makes it as
clear as possible regarding appropriate restraints.
SENATOR OLSON asked if the confusion is widespread.
MR. DIAL said it is widespread.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked what the difference is between
current law and the new proposal.
MS. BIASTOCK said current law states that a child under the age
of 16 shall be properly secured in a child safety device and if
the child is less than four years of age, the child shall be
properly secured in a safety device meeting the standards of
USDOT. This bill places the guidelines from the USDOT into
Alaska statute. However old a child is or whatever size they
are, they can be plugged into the chart to find out what type of
seat they should be in. For example, an infant who is under a
year old or 20 pounds should be in a rear-facing car seat.
That's not currently spelled out in statute but it would be with
this bill.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked if parents are currently required to
adhere to SB 218.
MS. BIASTOCK said it's been difficult to enforce because it's
not clear.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked if there would be a fiscal gain if
this bill is passed
MS. BIASTOCK said she understands there would be.
SENATOR OLSON asked what happens when a driver has a pickup
truck without seat belts.
MS. BIASTOCK said there is a list of exemptions and one of them
is a vehicle that is not equipped with seat belts. Older
vehicles without seat belts would not be able to accommodate a
child safety device. Therefore, a cab without a back seat would
be compliant. This is already in statute.
SENATOR OLSON asked if there are exemptions for rural areas or
non-federally funded highway areas.
MS. BIASTOCK said there are no current exemptions for rural
areas. This bill does not apply to vehicles that are not
designed to be on a highway like ATVs and snow machines.
1:18:39 PM
SENATOR OLSON asked if people in villages who don't have roads,
but who drive up and down the beach at low tide or across the
airport, would be in violation of this law.
MS BIASTOCK said yes, they would be in violation.
1:19:10 PM
CINDY CASHEN, Administrator, Division Of Program Development,
Highway Safety Office, Department of Transportation and Public
Facilities (DOTPF), Juneau, AK, said her office is responsible
for administering federal transportation dollars to programs
that save lives and prevent injuries on roads. There are federal
funds designated as child safety and booster seat incentive
grants. These grants are for states that enforce a law requiring
any child too large to be secured in a child safety seat in a
passenger vehicle be secured in a child restraint that meets the
requirement prescribed under section three of Anton's Law. To
qualify for a grant a state child restraint law should not leave
any gaps in coverage for children under eight years old. The
current Alaska law requires the use of proper safety devices for
children under the age of 16 as approved by the USDOT, but does
not designate which safety device must be used based on the
child's age, height, and weight. The federal government has
determined that if states want these funds, they must have the
law specify age, height and weight. The USDOT's chief counsel
has determined that Alaska would be eligible to receive new
federal funds with the passage of this bill. Alaska could apply
for an estimated $194,000 in federal fiscal year 2008 and
another $194,000 in 2009. Up to 50 percent of those funds may be
used to fund programs for purchasing and distributing child
safety seats and restraints to low-income families. The
remaining 50 percent would be used for enforcement, education
and training of child safety professionals, police officers,
fire and emergency medical personnel, educators and parents
concerning all aspects of child safety seats and restraints as
well as educating the public concerning the proper use and
installation.
1:22:27 PM
SENATOR COWDERY asked how a person with a sports car without a
back seat can comply.
MS. CASHEN said SB 218 spells out what type of a restraint
device a child needs. If there's no back seat the child should
not be in the vehicle.
GORDON GLASER, Injury Prevention and Emergency Medical Services,
Division of Public Health, Department of Health and Social
Services (DHSS), Anchorage, AK, explained that there is an
on/off switch in most cars to turn off the air bag, which allows
a child to be seated in front. The safety device is assigned to
the back seat until the child reaches the age of 13. If there's
no back seat, the child can be put in the front seat.
1:25:04 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked if the $194,000 would be placed in
the budget and used for the purposes Ms. Cashen described.
MS. CASHEN said those funds would stay within her office and be
used for the types of programs mentioned.
SENATOR COWDERY asked if the funds go directly to her office or
to the legislature.
NANCY SLAGLE, Director, Division of Administrative Services,
DOTPF, Juneau, AK, said the legislature would appropriate the
funds to the department.
SENATOR COWDERY asked if the funds would be earmarked for her
department.
MS. SLAGLE said the funds would be provided to DOTPF for it to
determine where the funds would go, either through grant awards
to local nonprofits or, for example, to the troopers for
enforcement.
1:27:11 PM
SENATOR OLSON said there are some cars that don't have an on/off
switch. He asked if he's in violation if he takes his infant son
in a car that does not have the switch.
MR. GLASER said if the car does not have a passenger side air
bag, he would not be in violation.
SENATOR OLSON said the car was retrofitted with an airbag.
MR. GLASER said that if it's been retrofitted, it should have an
on/off switch.
1:30:34 PM
BRENDA KNAPP, Health Program Manager, Injury Prevention and
Emergency Medical Services, Division of Public Health,
Department of Health and Social Services, Juneau, AK, said DHSS
supports SB 218. The bill amends current statute to set specific
standards for the use of child passenger restraints.
She said motor vehicle related injuries are the leading cause of
death in the U.S. of children between the ages of 2-14, and one
of the leading causes of hospitalizations of Alaskan children.
Children who are restrained in booster seats are 59 percent less
likely to be injured than children restrained by a lap belt
only. Nationally, voluntary seat belt inspection stations report
that 80-85 percent of children are improperly restrained, and
one-third of children under age 14 use the wrong type of
restraint.
MS KNAPP said the current statute references child safety
devices but does not state specific standards for age and
weight-based restraints. This bill is designed to eliminate
confusion about which restraints are appropriate for each age
and weight level. It clarifies the types of passenger restraints
required for children of various ages and sizes to prevent and
minimize vehicular injuries.
She said 42 states have passed booster seat legislation
qualifying them for USDOT highway safety grants. While this bill
has no fiscal impact on DHSS, passing it would make Alaska
eligible for approximately $200,000 in additional federal
incentive funds for education and enforcement.
SENATOR COWDERY asked if the bill addresses older vehicles with
single seats and without airbags. For example, he asked, what if
a family's only means of transportation is a dump truck.
MR. GLASER replied that the bill addresses older cars. Most
people don't add airbags to older vehicles that came without
them. Regarding trucks with only two seat belts, only two people
can ride in these seats. It is a problem for a family with a
dump truck. Children need to be restrained and it is a problem
when there are more children in a family than there is
accommodation for them in the family vehicle. That is beyond the
purview of this bill. The intention of this bill is to make the
present law clear to law enforcement officers and parents. If
the vehicle did not come with seat belts, there's no requirement
to put seat belts in or to use a car seat.
1:36:46 PM
SENATOR OLSON asked if he would be in violation if he takes his
child in heavy equipment like a loader or a forklift. He asked
if the bill addresses passenger vehicles only.
MR. GLASER said this bill would not affect industrial vehicles.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI said this bill doesn't really change
current law. It just codifies the regulations and gives the
state almost $200,000 to do that.
MS. KNAPP said the existing statute references the standards.
This would bring those standards into law so that they're
usable.
JOHN COOK, Legislative Director, Alaska Automobile Dealers
Association, Anchorage, AK, said the association has passed a
resolution that supports SB 218. The bill clarifies the law and
helps eliminate confusion. He personally attested to the
confusion when professionals test the correct installation of
booster seats. The bill helps bring state regulations in line
with what manufacturers recommend for children. He pointed out
that in the manufacturer's manual, it specifically states that
seat belts are not intended to secure young children.
Manufacturers provide provisions for attaching booster seats and
infant seats in extended and regular cabs of trucks. Every
vehicle that's been manufactured in the past eight years has an
on/off switch for air bags or a sensor that automatically
disables the airbag if the latch system is being used.
1:41:21 PM
JANE FELLMAN, RN, Central Peninsula Hospital and Coordinator,
Kenai Peninsula Safe Kids Coalition, Kenai, AK, said that on a
day-to-day basis she facilitates child passenger safety by
checking car seats and conducting educational programs. She said
the clarification provided by the bill is very much needed. In
2003 the coalition did some research and found that Alaska had a
good law but the problem was enforcement. She frequently has
people calling her asking what the law is regarding children
over four, if they have to be in booster seats. However, just
knowing that has not been sufficient. The coalition has done
trainings for law enforcement. Questions that have come up are:
how do you get a child into a booster seat; who should be in
one; what are the height, weight and proper fit requirements.
She told the story of visiting a kindergarten of about 20 five
and six-year-old children who weigh 45-50 pounds. She asked how
many were in booster seats and three raised their hand. Most of
the children were being secured only by seat belts and were in
major danger of being ejected if there was a crash. The
coalition distributed 260 car seats and 116 booster seats. For
over 50 percent of the seats distributed, children who received
them were formerly being secured by seat belts. As an emergency
room nurse she has seen the effects of not being properly
restrained. A seat belt going across a child's abdomen can cause
all kinds of injuries. In national surveys of who is in
compliance with safety regulations for children, Alaska always
fails because it is not recognized as having booster seat
legislation. She strongly supports SB 218.
1:47:36 PM
JANICE TOWER, Executive Director, Alaska Chapter of American
Academy Of Pediatrics, Anchorage, AK, said her chapter supports
SB 218. Children should stay in a booster seat until an adult
seat belt fits correctly, usually when a child reaches four feet
nine inches in height, and is eight to twelve years of age.
Results from a 2007 national survey on the use of booster seats
conducted by the National Center of Statistics and Analysis for
the National Highway Safety Administration revealed that booster
seat use rates for children ages six and seven dropped 36
percent in 2006 to 25 percent in 2007. The study concluded that
there was a premature graduation of children from birth to age
twelve to restraint types that are inappropriate for their
height and weight. She said SB 218 would help eliminate some of
the confusion. It would help parents and care givers identify
which safety devices are appropriate for their children. Many
pediatricians are happy to participate in education, counseling
parents during doctor visits on how to keep children safe in
vehicles.
1:50:21 PM
MR. GLASER said the Division of Public Health has been
conducting child passenger safety checks for people from
Ketchikan to the North Pole who have voluntarily come in to have
their car seats checked. In all the places they have gone,
parents that have come in have not had their children placed
correctly in car seats. Specifically, children over 40 pounds
have not been in booster seats. In the data that comes from the
Alaska Trauma Registry over a four year period of four to eight
year olds, 39 were injured needing hospitalization. None of the
39 was in a booster seat or child restraint.
PEGGY HAYASHI, RN and Chair, Child Passenger Safety Partnership
Committee, Anchorage, AK, said the committee is composed of
instructors and technicians who look at data submitted to the
Alaska Injury Prevention Center on a quarterly basis. This data
provides insight into what is happening to children traveling in
motor vehicles across the state. She has frequently sat with
parents in emergency rooms who have told her that they did not
understand the law. This bill is a clarification of current law,
which was written in 1985. Clarification has been the missing
component. She supports SB 218.
1:53:53 PM
CHAIR KOOKESH closed public testimony and asked for a motion.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI moved SB 218 from committee with individual
recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). There being no
objection, the motion carried.
1:54:13 PM
CHAIR KOOKESH called an at ease to sign the bill.
1:56:00 PM
CHAIR KOOKESH announced consideration of SB 236.
FRANK RICHARDS, Deputy Commissioner, Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF), Juneau, AK, said
he would describe Alaska's transportation system and how the
state is constrained in addressing its aging assets. He said he
would describe what other states are doing on their highways and
roads, and present Governor Palin's approach to meeting Alaska's
transportation needs with an Alaska Transportation Fund.
MR. RICAHRDS said the existing infrastructure across Alaska
presents safety concerns across the board from fatal accidents
to seasonal closures of airports. This significantly impacts the
flow of goods and people. There is congestion in larger
communities affecting everything from commuters to the movement
of freight and school busses. The state's assets are
deteriorating because of limited funding. He displayed photos of
highway pavement to demonstrate its poor condition. He estimated
the backlog of pavement that has reached the end of its useful
life is approaching $300 million on the national highway routes.
This is 2,100 miles of highway that include the Glen Highway,
the Parks Highway, the Richardson Highway, the Sterling Highway,
the Alaska Highway and the Dalton Highway. The pavement
deterioration on these highways alone is growing at a rate of
$80 million a year. Other routes like the Alaska Highway System
and the Community Transportation Program which include locally
owned roads present an additional need. He estimates that for
every dollar of timely pavement lifecycle investment, $4 of
extensive repair costs can be saved. It will be difficult to put
into place with such a large backlog of nearly failed pavement.
MR. RICHARDS said there are also needed bridge repairs although
progress is being made. Work on Washington Creek Bridge is
almost completed as well as on several Parks Highway bridges,
the Hicks Creek Bridge, the Kenai River Bridge in Soldatna, the
South Channel Bridge in Unalaska, and the Tanana River Bridge on
the Alaska Highway. Bridges in Hyder and Gustavus are scheduled
projects this year if the necessary environmental permits can be
obtained. About 10 percent of the bridges need seismic
retrofits. To date DOTPF has spent almost $20 million doing the
work in Phase 1. Phase 2 will be much more expensive. Only one
or two projects can be done per year.
He said transportation assets are also being impacted by
changing climatic conditions including heavy precipitation,
greater frequency of strong storms, warmer summers and extended
seasons that increase the number of freeze/thaw cycles.
2:00:43 PM
CHAIR KOOKESH asked him to address the bill with respect to the
endowment
MR. RICHARDS said the governor has proposed two installments
into an endowment fund, $500 million in fiscal 2008 and $500
million in fiscal 2009, to create a corpus of about $1 billion.
That fund would be invested through the Department of Revenue
and the interest earned would then be used to fund
transportation needs across the state and address all modal
issues, from ports and harbors to airports and highways. It
would be a fund source the legislature would appropriate to
cover specific projects that DOTPF would nominate through the
capital budget process.
CHAIR KOOKESH asked if the committee was being asked to adopt a
fiscal note. He said he was confused by all the zeros.
MR.RICHARDS referred the question to the administration services
director, Nancy Slagle.
2:02:31 PM
NANCY SLAGLE, Director, Administrative Services, DOTPF, Juneau,
AK, said she would expect an appropriation specifically for the
$500 million to capitalize the fund. This bill creates the fund.
The zero fiscal note is basically saying that DOTPF will
administer the program by identifying projects within the
organization.
CHAIR KOOKESH asked if that means this bill would establish the
fund and then an appropriations bill will follow to fund it.
MS. SLAGLE said that is correct.
SENATOR OLSON asked if this will decrease the state's ability to
get federal funds for big projects.
MS. SLAGLE said the bill will not impact the ability to get
funds from the federal government. Other states are trying to
deal with the decrease in federal funds by different means like
increasing fuel taxes, bonding and tolls. This is an approach
the governor thought was appropriate for Alaska.
SENATOR WILKEN asked to look again at slide 17 again to see what
other states have done. He asked if Alaska is the only state
that doesn't have a general fund component for transportation
and asked if this is correct.
MR. RICHARDS said that is correct. All 49 other states have a
transportation fund.
SENATOR WILKEN asked Mr. Richards to discuss slides 17-21 and 26
for some background.
MR. RICHARDS said that Alaska has been fortunate to receive
almost $6.44 of federal highway funds for every dollar that is
spent at the gas pump. Re-authorization of the highway bill will
take place in 2010. The emphasis in a new bill will be on
greenhouse gas reduction. As a recipient state, Alaska will
likely see a significant reduction in what it receives. The new
national commission that was charged to look at the next re-
authorization released a report last week that proposed a
complete makeover of the whole federal transportation system.
2:07:01 PM
SENATOR WILKEN asked if the expectation of funds coming to
Alaska from offshore will be less.
MR. RICHARDS replied that is correct. He indicated on the chart
what other states have been receiving and how they are funding
their transportation needs. Other states fund approximately 70
to 80 percent of their transportation needs using funds they
collect through fees and other structures like gas taxes, tolls,
and public/private partnerships. They rely on 20 to 30 percent
of federal funds. In Alaska, state ownership is about 40
percent. The types of funding used by other states would be
difficult to institute in Alaska with its small population base.
The strategic advantages of having a state-funded program are
that projects can be completed faster which equates to being
less costly. Federal laws don't have to be followed. For
example, NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) is avoided if
there are no federal actions involved such as wetlands permits.
Preventative maintenance could avoid the NEPA process if federal
funds are not involved. Another demanding law that would be
avoided is specific to DOTPF funds and applies to recreational
refuge and historic properties.
Slide 21 identifies a typical project with a federal timeline of
seven years; each phase of a project in a federal program must
be completed before the next phase can begin. For example, an
environmental phase which averages three years must be conducted
before a right-of-way phase can begin. The benefit of a state-
funded program is that many of these processes can be conducted
concurrently. For example, DOTPF saved three years time on the
Dalton Highway and two years on the Elmore Road.
CHAIR KOOKESH asked if those were federally funded projects.
MR. RICHARDS said they were all state general funded projects.
MS. SLAGLE added that there have been some federal projects
along the Dalton Highway.
SENATOR WILKEN asked Mr. Richards to discuss slide 26.
MR. RICHARDS said that individual project appropriations don't
allow the DOTPF to develop a programmatic approach. In lean
years appropriations have been small. This in turn impacts the
construction, design and engineering communities because there
isn't a consistent approach to keep the work flowing and folks
employed. The $50 million generated by the Alaska Transportation
Fund would give the DOTPF the ability to have a systematic
approach. With individual appropriations an estimate in year one
for a project might, because of inflation, run out of money by
year five. When that happens it's necessary to return to the
legislature to ask for additional funds.
2:13:56 PM
MR. RICHARDS said that with a programmatic approach it would be
possible to cover those increased costs by shifting funds from
one project to another. It would be more efficient and would
result in substantial savings. That would be similar to what's
done with federal highway and federal aviation programs. He
noted that to raise an equivalent $50 million would require
raising the existing gas tax 150 percent, from eight cents to
twenty cents.
CHAIR KOOKESH asked where the $50 million came from.
MR. RICHARDS said that is the initial revenue stream that would
be seen in the first year.
SENATOR COWDERY asked what process would be used to prioritize
the projects.
MR. RICHARDS explained that DOTPF would develop a listing of
projects similar to the STIP (statewide transportation
improvement program). In individual years the projects would be
submitted to the legislature for appropriation.
SENATOR COWDERY asked about funding for the Alaska Marine
Highway.
MR.RICHARDS said that is one of the transportation modes in the
state and it would be eligible to receive money from this fund.
AVES THOMPSON, Executive Director, Alaska Trucking Association
(ATA), Anchorage, AK, said the organization represents trucking
th
interests from Barrow to Ketchikan. It is celebrating its 50
anniversary in 2008. It represents more than 200 member
companies throughout the state. Trucking employs over 21,000
people in Alaska. It pays more than $928 million in wages
annually and makes a huge contribution to the state economy. One
of the priorities of the ATA is to expand the DOTPF general fund
capital projects program. It's clear that federal funding will
not meet Alaska's transportation infrastructure needs. Given the
enormous tax revenue increases, Alaska needs to invest some
money in the state's transportation system.
MR. THOMPSON said the transportation endowment fund can serve as
a primary funding source to enable significant expansion of the
state general fund capital projects program. The description on
page 1, lines 13-14, is broad and covers a lot of different
projects. The highway trust fund has been depleted partly
because of the heavy demand coming from projects not related to
highways highway projects. The federal highway trust fund will
run out of money in 2009. Although there are modes of travel
other than highways in Alaska, it seems that Alaska's highway
system serves the largest portion of the population. Freight
movement and tourist and personal travel are on the rise and
demands will continue to grow exponentially. The largest share
of the project dollars made available through this fund should
be directed to the highway system. Non-highway projects need to
be considered on their own merits after seeking other sources.
In Alaska there are two major highway systems, the National
Highway System and the Alaska State Highway system. These are
systems of connecting routes that link communities and
workplaces. They are the major routes that carry a large portion
of all the freight delivered in Alaska. ATA supports SB 236.
2:22:16 PM
CINDY BETTINE, Member, MatSu Borough Assembly, Wasilla, AK, said
she represents District 5 which has two of the most dangerous
roads in the state according to DOTPF, based on accidents and
death. She supports SB 236 and hopes the funding will amount to
more than $6 million a year. MatSu is one of the fastest growing
areas of the state, she said, and taxpayers contribute over $10
million a year. Because of the population growth and the over
use of state roads, local roads are taking a beating. What were
originally developed as residential subdivision roads are now
used for short cuts between state roads. One of their trunk
roads has had priority for over 20 years and over the
intervening years, the cost has escalated to over $40 million.
Utilities have been moved. Rights-of-way have been purchased.
2:24:56 PM
MARIAN ROMANO, Borough Manger, MatSu Borough, Palmer, AK, said
she supports this bill but said it is not enough to meet the
present needs of the state or even the MatSu Borough. One third
of the state's network is in the MatSu Borough. The borough has
three of the most dangerous roads in the state, according to
accident data from DOTPF. There were five fatalities in January
on state roads. Their recent long-range transportation plan
shows that $1.5 billion is needed over the next 20 year to
prevent gridlock. Asphalt has tripled in price and the cost of
right-of-way acquisition in the MatSu Borough has doubled. The
borough has already spent $12 million on the Seward Meridian
Highway. It has identified the right-of-way, but there is no
money to purchase it. This puts home owners in a position where
they can't sell their houses and therefore, cannot afford to buy
another house. This is a critical north/south artery and has
been on the list for 20 years. It provides access to a new
hospital and to the college which is currently expanding and
taking on four-year students. The population of the Kinick/Goose
Bay Road area is considered equal to the fifth largest city in
the state. This is a main access road to the new state prison.
DOTPF doesn't have this road on its list. The borough is taxing
itself to meet its own needs. There is a local contribution of
$6 million to local roads and the community provides gravel for
free to DOTPF. She suggested the committee consider matching
programs to recognize communities' willingness to use their own
resources.
2:29:25 PM
SENATOR WILKEN moved SB 236 from committee with individual
recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). There being no
objection, the motion carried.
2:30:05 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Kookesh adjourned the meeting.
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