1994-03-07                     Senate Journal                      Page 3084
SJR 29                                                                       
HOUSE CS FOR SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION                                          
NO. 29(TRA) am H                                                               
Relating to federal efforts to require the use of                             
motorcycle helmets in Alaska.                                                  
                                                                               
		Legislative Resolve No. 20                                                   
                                                                               
The Governor further stated:  This Resolution objects to the federal           
mandate that requires every state to enact a statute requiring all             
motorcyclists to wear helmets.  The penalty for failure to enact such          
legislation is the transfer of federal highway construction funds to           
the 402 safety program with Alaska's Department of Public Safety.              
                                                                               
SJR 29 clearly expresses the majority view of the Alaska Legislature,          
which opposed congressional mandates that infringe on a state's right          
to manage its internal affairs.  Philosophically I agree with the              
Legislature, however, I have recommended compliance with the                   
congressional mandate in this case because of the serious financial            
impact noncompliance will have on Alaska's highway construction                
program.                                                                       
                                                                               
If the State of Alaska does not have a universally applied helmet              
law in effect by October 1, 1994, it will be forced to transfer                
approximately $5.6 million from FY 95 federal highway funds for                
capital improvement projects to the 402 Safety Program.  Alaska has            
already transferred $2.7 million in capital improvements in FY 94.             
                                                                               
The state will lose an additional $5.6 million capital improvement             
funding in FY 96 and an amount equal to three percent of                       
apportioned funds thereafter each year the state does not have a               
mandatory helmet law.                                                          
                                                                               
This shifting of millions of dollars in federal highway construction           
funding to a relatively small safety program is a significant loss to          
Alaska's need to upgrade and extend its highway system.  Safe,                 
modern highways save lives, increase productivity and improve                  
mobility perhaps as much as a safety program.