Legislature(2023 - 2024)BARNES 124
03/19/2024 01:00 PM Senate TRANSPORTATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB386 | |
| Presentation(s): Innovations in Autonomous and Unscrewed Systems | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
JOINT MEETING
HOUSE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
SENATE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
March 19, 2024
1:01 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
HOUSE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
Representative Kevin McCabe, Chair
Representative Sarah Vance, Vice Chair
Representative Tom McKay
Representative Craig Johnson
Representative Jesse Sumner
Representative Louise Stutes
Representative Genevieve Mina
SENATE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
Senator James Kaufman, Chair
Senator David Wilson, Vice Chair
Senator Jesse Kiehl
Senator Robert Myers
MEMBERS ABSENT
HOUSE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
All members present
SENATE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
Senator Löki Tobin
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 386
"An Act relating to the obstruction of airports and runways;
relating to the obstruction of highways; establishing the crime
of obstruction of free passage in public places; relating to the
obstruction of public places; relating to the crime of
trespassing; relating to the obstruction of navigable waters;
and providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
PRESENTATION(S): Innovations in Autonomous and Unscrewed Systems
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 386
SHORT TITLE: OBSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC PLACES; TRESPASSING
SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
02/21/24 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/21/24 (H) TRA, JUD
03/12/24 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124
03/12/24 (H) Heard & Held
03/12/24 (H) MINUTE(TRA)
03/14/24 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124
03/14/24 (H) Scheduled but Not Heard
03/19/24 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124
WITNESS REGISTER
MICHAEL GARVEY, Advocacy Director
American Civil Liberties Union
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 386.
MICHAEL PATTERSON, Organizer
Party for Socialism and Liberation
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 386.
JESSIE SAIKI, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 386.
CAROLINA SAAVEDRA, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 386.
JOSH SMITH, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 386.
PHIL MOSER, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 386.
MONICA WHITMAN
representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 386.
CYNTHIA CACHUPIN
Party for Socialism and Liberation
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 386.
MENEKA THIRU, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 386.
MORGAN LIM
Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 386.
RYAN MARLOW, UAS Program Coordinator
Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented a PowerPoint, titled "Innovations
in Autonomous and Unscrewed Systems."
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:01:33 PM
CHAIR KEVIN MCCABE called the joint meeting of the House and
Senate Transportation Standing Committees to order at 1:01 p.m.
Representatives Vance, Stutes, Mina, and McCabe were present at
the call to order. Representatives C. Johnson, McKay, Sumner
and Senators Kiel, Myers, Wilson, and Kaufman arrived as the
meeting was in progress.
HB 386-OBSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC PLACES; TRESPASSING
1:02:09 PM
CHAIR MCCABE announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 386, "An Act relating to the obstruction of
airports and runways; relating to the obstruction of highways;
establishing the crime of obstruction of free passage in public
places; relating to the obstruction of public places; relating
to the crime of trespassing; relating to the obstruction of
navigable waters; and providing for an effective date."
1:02:45 PM
CHAIR MCCABE opened public testimony on HB 386.
1:04:05 PM
The committee took a brief at-ease at 1:04 p.m.
1:04:47 PM
[Due to technical difficulties, the first moments of Mr.
Garvey's testimony were not captured on the recording but were
sourced from the secretary's log notes.]
MICHAEL GARVEY, Advocacy Director, American Civil Liberties
Union (ACLU), testified in opposition to HB 386. He spoke to
those who were punished when trying to exercise their rights.
He said that when the state regulates speech and expression, it
must do so in a narrowly tailored way to set aside the
compelling government interest, and he opined that the bill was
too broad in its rationale to clear that bar. Government should
look for ways to strengthen citizens' ability to exercise their
rights and not scare people into silence, he stated.
1:06:20 PM
MICHAEL PATTERSON, Organizer, Party for Socialism and
Liberation, stated that he and his organization, the Party for
Socialism and Liberation (PSL), stood in opposition to HB 386.
He said his organization engages in First Amendment protected
speech and activities and opined that the bill is vague and
tries to tell Alaskans that they cannot organize and protest.
He said the bill is a waste of time, and he shared his
background as a veteran and a Muslim. He reiterated that he and
PSL are in stark opposition to the bill and asked the committee
to stop wasting time with "these types of bills."
1:08:39 PM
JESSIE SAIKI, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
386. She said the bill would attempt to scare empowered
Alaskans into silence. The bill would clearly violate First
Amendment rights, she said, and she urged the committee to stop
the bill from advancing and to protect citizens' freedom of
speech and constitutional rights.
1:09:40 PM
CAROLINA SAAVEDRA, representing self, testified in opposition to
HB 386. She said the bill would be detrimental to freedom of
speech and freedom of assembly. She encouraged the committee to
vote no on HB 386.
1:12:15 PM
JOSH SMITH, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
386. He shared that he is a U.S. Air Force veteran and grew up
in a family of veterans; therefore, respect for the Constitution
was always prevalent in the home. The First Amendment was
written so people could express needs, he said, and he found HB
386 "deeply problematic" because it would trample First
Amendment rights. He suggested to leave the right to peacefully
assemble and speak in public spaces alone.
1:13:25 PM
PHIL MOSER, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
386. He said that protests and First Amendment rights are not
always easy or comfortable, but they exist because citizens are
not being represented properly. He referred to "Bloody Sunday,"
the wait for permits to protest, and the aftermath that
occurred. He reiterated that he strongly opposed HB 386.
1:16:02 PM
MONICA WHITMAN, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
386. She stated that the bill would intimidate people, and the
governor is attempting to prevent people from protesting, which
is a First Amendment right. She related that she had been to
protests in Anchorage, and for the most part, they were
peaceful. To make it a "felony" to protest and have
restrictions felt like an overreach, she opined, and she
encouraged the committee to oppose the bill.
1:17:04 PM
CYNTHIA CACHUPIN, Party for Socialism and Liberation, testified
in opposition to HB 386. She stated that she felt the bill was
unnecessary and went against the Constitution and freedom of
speech. As an organizer, she said there had not been any issues
with protesters rioting or causing any destruction of any kind,
and she opined that it is a false narrative to imply that these
protests are causing real destruction. She added there are only
a few minutes where protesters may be in anyone's way. She
offered her belief that the governor does not care about the
Constitution.
1:18:47 PM
MENEKA THIRU, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
386. She said she agreed with previous callers and added that
she believed the bill went against her First Amendment rights,
and that citizens' fundamental rights should be protected. She
asked the committee to stop the bill from advancing, as it would
infringe on the rights of Alaskans to make their voices heard.
1:19:49 PM
MORGAN LIM, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, testified in
opposition to HB 386. He stated the bill would criminalize
Alaskans who exercise their freedom of speech and assembly. He
opined that the language related vague and overly broad laws
which could be applied selectively. There is no way for the
state to neutrally apply the bill, he said, and it raised more
questions than answers about what conduct could be permissible.
He offered his belief that the proposed legislation did not make
citizens safer or address a current problem for people
protesting but was a government overreach. He urged the
committee to oppose HB 386.
1:21:23 PM
CHAIR MCCABE, after ascertaining no one else wished to testify,
closed public testimony on HB 386.
[HB 386 was held over.]
1:21:52 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 1:21 p.m. to 1:28 p.m.
^PRESENTATION(S): Innovations in Autonomous and Unscrewed
Systems
PRESENTATION(S): Innovations in Autonomous and Unscrewed Systems
1:28:17 PM
CHAIR MCCABE announced that the final order of business would be
the Innovations in Autonomous and Unscrewed Systems
presentation.
1:29:48 PM
RYAN MARLOW, UAS Program Coordinator, Unmanned Aircraft Systems,
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, stated that
before proceeding with the PowerPoint, titled "Innovations in
Autonomous and Unscrewed Systems" [hard copy included in the
committee packet], he would be highlighting what the Department
of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) has been
working on the last couple of years with vehicles and drones,
and how the technology is being utilized. He said that shortly,
he would be showing a video on drone footage and how data is
migrated into a useful form. Slide 3, titled "Dalton Highway
MP403.5 Washout," was shown as he discussed what he referred to
as an "amazing opportunity" for DOT&PF to test technology that
the department was deploying with an avalanche program on Thane
Road [Juneau, Alaska]. He mentioned live streaming the events
and sharing imagery daily being abilities to change the way the
department responds to natural disasters. In some cases, he
said, the imagery can immediately be shared with teams across
the globe. He said the department's goal is to pave the way so
that industry can learn from the items being presented and start
to deploy them moving forward.
1:33:18 PM
CHAIR MCCABE shared his belief that to run a drone somewhere, a
person must set up temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) and
notify the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which
broadcasts to all private pilots to prevent any conflicts in the
air.
MR. MARLOW replied absolutely. He noted that much of the
technology beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) faced issues
including low flying aircraft, and many of the items are being
leveraged with the FAA.
CHAIR MCCABE offered clarity that the FAA had restricted drones
because "you have to be in the line of sight." He asked whether
there was discussion with the FAA about getting rid of the line
of sight requirement.
MR. MARLOW explained that Remote I.D. [the ability of a drone in
flight to provide identification and location information that
can be received by other parties through a broadcast signal]
just became mandatory and every platform purchased in the U.S.
must be complaint by broadcasting a digital license plate.
CHAIR MCCABE mentioned possible collisions so by being within
the line of sight with a drone, you could see, for example, a
Piper Cub [light aircraft] coming and be able to adjust
altitude.
MR. MARLOW agreed with Chair McCabe's point and said DOT&PF
found that one major item they did not have was the ability to
communicate with small aircraft. He stressed that better
communications were needed.
CHAIR MCCABE brought up an example of when someone is
parachuting, there are no radios or transponders, but the pilot
communicates with other pilots their activity and location.
MR. MARLOW noted that among items being researched by DOT&PF are
an automated voice or the ability for the department to
highlight that there is a system in the area and how to move
forward with it.
1:38:53 PM
MR. MARLOW proceeded to slide 5, titled "Mendenhall Glacier
Outburst," which featured aerial imagery. He said that at the
time, DOT&PF was testing an experimental "LiDAR" [light
detection and ranging] system in town. He added that if some of
the older systems in the area were flown, it would have taken
two days to capture the environment, but with the new technology
it took 40 minutes. He illustrated the other imagery on the
slide that pertained to innovative types of detection.
1:41:06 PM
MR. MARLOW continued to slide 6, titled "Wrangell Zimovia MP
11.2 Landslide." He noted that Wrangell was interesting to
DOT&PF in that they assisted the search and rescue teams and
were also able to try out how weatherproof their systems were.
He related the weather conditions and flight times, and that the
drones had monitored the slope's stability to assist with rescue
crews. The slide showed other imagery of crews at work. He
explained the remote scans collected and the processing of data
to see what major changes were occurring, which he stated was an
incredible use of technology.
1:44:09 PM
MR. MARLOW moved to slide 7, titled "Research and Development
Initiatives." He noted that DOT&PF is constantly working
through many groups, and he highlighted documenting avalanches.
He said working with enterprise clients, the department could
process items in the Cloud and then be able to process those
items remotely. He showed slide 8, titled "Remote Data
Workflows Into GIS."
1:45:55 PM
SENATOR WILSON asked what the band or frequency of communication
with the drones was.
MR. MARLOW confirmed the use of civilian bands, and that the
department would soon be testing cellular enabled systems.
1:46:53 PM
MR. MARLOW moved through several more slides and touched on the
activity of dropping explosives. He said DOT&PF is the first in
the nation to be able to carry dangerous weapons, and it is an
incredible opportunity as they spread their tools available
toward avalanche mitigation.
1:47:44 PM
SENATOR MYERS asked whether DOT&PF was leaning toward drone drop
explosives to replace other activity.
MR. MARLOW replied that it would not be a replacement, but
another tool with the ability to map toward remotely operated
avalanche control systems.
1:48:50 PM
MR. MARLOW moved to slide 10, titled "Fatal Traffic Accident
Reconstruction," which showed various photos in reference to
highway transportation. He said the department has utilized
drones on scene and explained how activity can be viewed
"overhead" and shared across industries so everyone can have
access to the platform. He continued to slide 11, titled
"Koyukuk River Bridge Ice Damage," which showed aerial imagery
and on-ground activity with routers. He pointed out that it was
the first time the department streamed over the area, which is
30 minutes north of Wiseman, Alaska. There was no cellular
service, but he pointed out that the department had the ability
to broadcast the live streams and also to 3D scan the activity.
He proceeded to slide 12, titled "Search & Rescue," and noted
the groups with which DOT&PF worked.
1:52:53 PM
SENATOR WILSON inquired about the "price tag" for search and
rescue.
MR. MARLOW replied that it was approximately $20,000 but could
be as low as $5,000.
1:53:29 PM
CHAIR MCCABE commented that a number of state government
agencies are interested in drones, and he asked which was the
controlling agency.
MR. MARLOW stated that DOT&PF tries not to be the controlling
agency but partners and helps write waivers. In response to a
follow-up question, he stated that most agencies host training
individually.
1:55:03 PM
MR. MARLOW moved to slide 13, titled "Modernizing Fleet
Vehicles." He related an avalanche situation in Valdez, Alaska,
and the department's technology providing the ability to see
slides coming down in pitch darkness. He further noted the
danger of avalanche mitigation. He pointed out that the vehicle
in the picture on the slide was equipped with the technology to
have the ability to share information in real time. He advanced
to slide 14, titled "SMART Project Stage 1 Award," which read as
follows [original punctuation provided]:
Project Name: ARROW
Project Start: July 15, 2023
Project Delivery: 18 Months Recipient: Alaska
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
Funding: $1,944,563
Project Type: UAS
Project Summary: Use drone technology to conduct
infrastructure inspections and gather situational
awareness data essential to Rural Alaska's way of life
on snow, ice, and overland trails, partnering with
Alaska Native and Rural Villages.
MR. MARLOW also showed a video that provided a visual
perspective to the contents on the slide.
2:00:20 PM
MR. MARLOW displayed slide 16, titled "Future Directions and
Opportunities," and spoke to data collection. He quickly
proceeded to slide 17, which featured "Drone Docks." He
highlighted the detection of avalanches and dispatch of the
systems that can immediately start searching for "thermal
signatures" being incredible assets.
2:01:43 PM
SENATOR MYERS asked how the drone docks fit into the BVLOS
permission from the FAA.
MR. MARLOW replied that currently, there are no automated
flights, just manually controlled flights.
2:02:34 PM
MR. MARLOW spoke of flying drones and overriding the sensors,
giving one the ability to "send a mission" or go for a free
flight to check something out and return back to the same
location. He noted that while doing flight planning, data can
be loaded in to be able to fly against known issues. He pointed
out that there have been drone crashes, such as drones crashing
into hillsides, due to lack of training. The ability to load
terrain allows the drone to path and fly more efficiently, he
explained.
2:04:05 PM
MR. MARLOW advanced to slide 19, titled "Rapid Compact
Deployable & Emergency Communications," which featured images of
mobile radios, and he briefly expounded on low-orbit
communications. He moved to slide 20, titled "Wildlife Hazard
Reduction," which featured a drone dog named Aurora. He
explained that Aurora is the first of its kind wildlife hazard
reduction robot and would be utilized in Fairbanks for the sole
purpose of clearing wildlife. He said Aurora could broadcast to
other aircraft and a key item is to make it look like a coyote
or fox and act as a predator and invoke a response to wildlife
without having to use other mitigation means.
2:07:43 PM
SENATOR WILSON inquired about bird mitigation and runways.
MR. MARLOW replied that at the moment, Aurora is a stand-alone
platform to see how effective it is by itself. He said it would
be up to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to
make the call.
2:08:25 PM
CHAIR MCCABE commented that birds and airplanes do not mix well
and provided an example that there is nothing to scare the birds
away at St. George airport. He said a lot of money is spent to
mitigate birds, and he opined that "this is exciting
technology."
2:09:41 PM
MR. MARLOW controlled Aurora for a live demonstration.
2:10:41 PM
SENATOR KIEL asked whether Aurora was waterproof and to what
degree.
MR. MARLOW confirmed it was, and that all new technology was
weather-sealed. In response to a follow-up question, he
explained he had been testing the technology and had not had
issues. He continued to illustrate the capabilities of the
robotic dog and stressed how much it was an asset to DOT&PF.
2:13:29 PM
SENATOR WILSON asked about the general cost and whether it could
qualify for a mitigation grant.
MR. MARLOW replied that he would look into the grant but had
been working on additional grants. He stated the cost from
Boston Dynamics starts at $70,000.
CHAIR MCCABE commented that it may seem expensive, but when
considering the costs of light aircraft, pilots, and fuel, he
offered his belief that the cost of the robot seemed to be
reasonable. He further commented on the benefits of drones
being able to inspect bridges.
2:14:45 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE asked whether DOT&PF had any partnerships
with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G).
MR. MARLOW replied that the department had not yet.
2:15:42 PM
SENATOR KIEL asked whether DOT&PF was working toward areas such
as underwater systems.
MR. MARLOW referred back to the inspection of bridges and noted
that a foreseeable goal is pier inspection. He added that there
had been tests on the ability to look underwater and in the next
couple of years the focus would be heavily on the underwater
imagery.
2:17:13 PM
SENATOR KAUFMAN brought up the cost of managing bird strikes and
questioned whether it was the best use of the technology.
MR. MARLOW replied that currently it is demonstration usage. He
added that the reason the platform is being used is due to it
being the safest; however, there is much more to learn.
2:18:56 PM
REPRESENTATIVE C. JOHNSON asked whether the technology was
bullet proof.
MR. MARLOW replied not yet.
2:19:33 PM
SENATOR KAUFMAN asked Mr. Marlow to speak to the private sector
and how the technology could enhance economic activity.
MR. MARLOW responded that the deployment strategy is to partner
with different industries for use across the state, and if it
cannot be utilized outside DOT&PF, there would then be better
things they could do with their time. Contractors would be able
to deploy the systems for many different uses, he said.
2:22:06 PM
CHAIR MCCABE thanked the presenters and noted that there would
be a following demonstration with the robotic dog.
2:22:52 PM
SENATOR KAUFMAN announced future Senate business.
2:23:07 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the joint
meeting of the House Transportation Standing Committee and
Senate Transportation Standing Committee was adjourned at 2:23
p.m.
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