Legislature(2025 - 2026)BARNES 124
04/01/2025 01:00 PM House TRANSPORTATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB26 | |
| HB136 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 136 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 26 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 26-STATEWIDE PUBLIC & COMMUNITY TRANSIT PLAN
1:06:47 PM
CO-CHAIR EISCHEID announced that the first order of business
would be HOUSE BILL NO. 26, "An Act relating to the duties of
the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities; and
relating to a statewide public and community transit plan."
[Before the committee was CSHB 26(CRA).]
1:07:50 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MINA, as prime sponsor, gave a recap of CSHB
26(CRA). She stated that it would update the responsibilities
of the Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF)
to enact a statewide transit plan in coordination with community
stakeholders. She stated that the proposed legislation would
help update the multimodality work DOT&PF is currently doing, as
it would ensure public transportation is there for those who do
not drive.
1:08:53 PM
CO-CHAIR EISCHEID opened public testimony on HB 26.
1:09:45 PM
BRIDGER REED-LEWIS, Board Member, Alaska Mobility Coalition,
stated that he is an advocate for those with disabilities in
Alaska. He shared that he is originally from Palmer, but he had
to move because of the lack of para-transit opportunities. He
shared that in Anchorage he can access AnchorRIDES. He
recommended that the proposed legislation be amended to allow
for two roundtrip Taxi or Uber rides for individuals who are on
the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or the
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and
Children (WIC). He clarified that this would be for a ride to a
store within a 15-mile radius. He argued that many individuals
with disabilities cannot carry bags onto a bus; therefore, they
are limited to shopping at expensive convenience stores. He
outlined the idea for a future bill that would allow free
transportation for everyone. He spoke about how transportation
should be a right for everyone, as this would allow more access
to jobs and stores.
1:13:15 PM
MICHELE GIRAULT, Executive Director, Hope Community Resources,
Chairman, Key Coalition of Alaska, stated that Hope Community
Resources provides disability support in six regions of the
state and the Key Coalition of Alaska is a statewide group
supporting Alaskans with disabilities. She pointed out that
Alaskans with disabilities face many challenges, but
transportation is at the top of the list. She noted that the
proposed legislation would improve access to community-based
services and give a voice to those who are not often heard. She
expressed her support of HB 26.
1:14:46 PM
GERRY HOPE, Government Relations Director, Sitka Tribe of
Alaska, noted that the proposed bill is a part of the Alaska
Mobility Coalition's multiyear effort to improve public, Tribal,
and community transit programs in the state. He stated that
during his experience as the Transportation Director for the
Sitka Tribe of Alaska, it had been difficult "getting a seat at
the table" with DOT&PF; therefore, on behalf of the Sitka Tribe
of Alaska he expressed support for the proposed legislation.
1:16:36 PM
BRITTANI ROBBINS, representing self, shared that she is a
"lifelong, remote Alaskan" and the Civic Engagement Coordinator
[for Alaska Community Action on Toxics]. She listed several
past community positions she has also held. She expressed
support for the proposed legislation, explaining that living on
a remote island reinforces the lack of public transportation in
the state. She highlighted the importance of viable
transportation within the education system, especially for
sports teams. She noted that when she had been a student,
schools used the Alaska Marine Highway System as reliable
transportation for student athletes, as it is more financially
viable than flying. She pointed out that now only a couple of
ferries a week service Wrangell. She stated that some federal
funding has helped the situation, and this is important for her
as she travels often to the Lower 48 because of medical
disabilities. She argued that a transportation system needs to
be in place for every Alaskan.
1:19:47 PM
JASON NORRIS, representing self, expressed his support for HB
26. He explained that Anchorage is in a crisis for pedestrian
safety, and this is because transportation planning has focused
on motor vehicles. He argued that transportation for Alaskans
who have different needs should be prioritized because this
would improve quality of life and be better for the economy. He
stated that if individuals are given the opportunity to move
around, they will choose to do so, even in winter cities, and he
cited examples.
1:21:30 PM
CYNTHIA LONG, representing self, stated that she is a lifelong
public transportation user. She stated that she is testifying
on behalf of herself and her husband, who is no longer able to
drive. She stated that on the Kenai Peninsula, the Central Area
Rural Transit System [CARTS] takes people to the doctor, the
store, and more, and this helps members of the community not to
be isolated. She opined that a larger transportation system
could allow residents of the Kenai Peninsula to work in the
Anchorage area.
1:22:51 PM
CO-CHAIR EISCHEID, after ascertaining that there was no one else
who wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 26.
1:23:25 PM
CO-CHAIR CARRICK requested a clarification on the stakeholders
not included in the proposed legislation.
REPRESENTATIVE MINA responded that metropolitan planning
organizations are one of the stakeholders that are not included
in the proposed bill. She explained that these are separate
entities outside of local governments and other community
organizations.
1:25:08 PM
ANDY MILLS, Legislative Liaison, Special Assistant to the
Commissioner, Department of the Commissioner, Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities, in response to a follow-up
question from Representative Mina, clarified that there is a
difference between the use of "coordination" and "cooperation"
in the proposed legislation. He stated that the choice of
wording was intentional, as the department had been advised by
its legal counsel on specific usage in the Alaska Railroad Act
of 1982 (ARTA). He pointed out that the term "coordination" has
been used in CSHB 26(CRA). He discussed that this relates to
[the concept of the Three Cs of transportation planning:
continuing, comprehensive, and cooperative, as guided by federal
law].
1:26:14 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES commented that Kodiak has a local
transportation service provided to the community by the senior
center. She shared that her nephew has a disability, and the
ability to ride the bus has made a difference in his life. She
expressed support for the proposed legislation.
1:27:18 PM
CO-CHAIR EISCHEID commented on how AnchorRIDES improves the
quality of life for the elderly. He made closing comments.
[CSHB 26(CRA) was held over.]