04/05/2022 01:30 PM Senate TRANSPORTATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB170 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 170 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
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
[email protected].
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 |