Legislature(2011 - 2012)CAPITOL 17
03/15/2011 01:00 PM House TRANSPORTATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB64 | |
| HB10 | |
| HB131 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 64 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 10 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 131 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 131-COMMUNITY AND TRANSPORTATION ADV. BOARD
1:49:49 PM
CHAIR P. WILSON announced that final order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 131, "An Act establishing the Alaska Community
and Public Transportation Advisory Board and relating to a long-
range community and public transportation plan; and providing
for an effective date."
1:50:24 PM
KENDRA KLOSTER, Staff, Representative Cathy Munoz, Alaska State
Legislature, stated that the bill would create an Alaska
Community and Public Transportation Advisory Board. This would
assist in the development and procedural recommendations made by
the Governor's Coordinated Transportation Task force in February
2010. Transportation is important to communities. This board
will continue efforts to address state, federal, and local
community-based transportation services. The board will
continue efforts to address public and community transportation
and help fill the gap in transportation for people who require
more specialized travel, including senior citizens, low income
individuals, persons with disabilities, and those who are
transit-dependent. The Community and Transportation Advisory
Board would consist of 13 members from departments within state
and local governments, the Denali Commission, the Alaska Mental
Health Trust Authority, nonprofits, senior citizens, persons
with disabilities, and transit-dependent individuals. This
broad range of membership could help facilities communication
and strategies that will benefit communities of all sizes. This
bill has support from the Alaska Mobility Coalition, the
Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education,
Advisory Board on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, the Alaska
Commission on Aging, Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, the
Alaska Brain Injury Network, Suicide Prevention Council and the
AARP.
MS. KLOSTER stated that the board's expenses will be similar to
the task force currently in place. The Federal Transit
Administration funding provides 90 percent of the $110,000. The
state will provide matching funds and an additional 10 percent
of the funding is provided by the Alaska Mental Health Trust.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG remarked that he was glad this bill was
introduced.
1:53:14 PM
JEFF OTTESEN, Director, Division of Program Development,
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF),
deferred to Eric Taylor, who prepared the fiscal note.
ERIC TAYLOR, Statewide Plan & Transit, Division of Program
Development, Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
(DOT&PF), stated that he prepared the fiscal note.
1:53:45 PM
CHAIR P. WILSON asked what portion of the funding is derived
from federal funds.
MR. TAYLOR estimated the Community and Transit Advisory Board
funding would be as follows: $90,000 from the Federal Transit
Administration for program planning, $10,000 in state matching
funds, and $10,000 from the Alaska Mental Health Trust Fund. In
response to Chair P. Wilson, Mr. Taylor explained that typically
the Federal Transit Authority requires a 20 percent match. The
DOT&PF generally uses planning funds. The state receives
approximately $6.8 million to support rural transit and
community transportation programs.
1:56:16 PM
CHAIR P. WILSON asked if the project would require additional
staff.
MR. TAYLOR answered that the DOT&PF foes not anticipate needing
any additional staff.
1:56:55 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRUITT asked if $90,000 represents additional
funds from the federal government or if the funds would be
shifted towards this program.
MR. OTTESEN explained that part of the funds is deliberately set
aside for planning. This is funding that pays for the planning
task. For the past two years, the department has used the
planning funding to conduct the work of the Governor's Task
Force. This would create a permanent commission rather than a
temporary task force. This funding would not change the effort
but would carry forward the funding into future years. He
recalled the DOT&PF has a difficult time spending all of the
spending funding and typically returns some to the federal
government.
REPRESENTATIVE PRUITT asked whether the DOT&PF anticipates the
same level of planning funding.
MR. OTTESEN answered yes. He said if anything the federal
transit funding appears to be on a growth curve. In response to
Chair P. Wilson, Mr. Ottesen explained that the Governor's
Coordinated Transportation Task Force has operated for a little
more than one year. The previous task force was in place for
about 15 months, with a gap in between. He currently chairs the
existing Governor's Coordinated Transportation Task Force. He
stressed that additional work needs to be done. He elaborated
that coordinated transportation is about spending dollars more
wisely. He stated that about 60 categories of federal funding
provide transportation for injured veterans, senior citizens,
persons with disabilities or who are low-income. He said it
does not make sense to have all those vehicles running around,
each carrying a fraction of the population, without any
coordination in dispatch or motor pool. The federal government
has been pushing coordinated transportation to try to reduce the
spending from so many sources.
1:59:34 PM
CHAIR P. WILSON asked for clarification on the federal funding
in Alaska, whether it is provided in a lump sum or is parceled
out to various agencies.
MR. OTTESEN answered that the state receives Federal Transit
funding in different categories, with different eligibility
requirements. The DOT&PF is the only recipient of transit
funds. The rest of the funding is distributed through other
agencies, such as the Department of Health and Social Services
(DHSS) or the Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs (DMVA).
He said other separate agencies are working to ensure that
coordination since everyone benefit. He said thus far the
effort cuts across the silos of state government local
government since they provide services for nonprofits.
"Organizations tend to stay in their silos," he said.
2:00:28 PM
CHAIR P. WILSON asked whether Governor's Coordinated
Transportation Task Force will be consolidated into one area,
such as DOT&PF, and bill other agencies or if the service will
still be in individual agencies.
MR. OTTESEN provided a "rose colored vision" such that a client
from one program would use a smart card to access the
coordinated vehicle the card would be read and billed back to
the respective agency, including that the Department of Military
& Veterans' Affairs for a disabled veteran. He anticipated that
the service would be seamless and transparent, with a computer
system handling the details of the charges.
2:02:03 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG referred to page 2 of the DOT&PF's
fiscal note. He said that the bill establishes the board, but
then it says the bill increases the size of the board.
MR. OTTESEN related that the new board is functionally the
equivalent of the Governor's Coordinated Transportation Task
Force, which was established by administrative order.
2:02:55 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG referred to page 2, lines 19-20 of HB
131, which identifies one board member shall be a member who
represents municipalities that operate modes of public
transportation. He suggested that it may be advisable to have
two members since the needs of small and large communities vary.
He reiterated his support to add an additional member so the
board would be a 14 member board. He asked whether six
communities operate transportation.
MR. TAYLOR answered that nine communities operate transportation
systems in the state.
2:04:11 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG asked for the population of the
communities since it seems that smaller communities' needs are
different than those of Anchorage. He then referred to page 3,
line 7 of HB 131, noting that the board could petition the
governor to remove a member if the member misses two or more
meetings in a calendar year. He suggested adding "or is
otherwise unable to serve."
MR. OTTESEN related the DOT&PF is neutral on bill. He
understood the logic.
REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ said that would be okay.
2:05:30 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON appreciated the suggested change, but he
pointed out that the member serves at the pleasure of the
governor so he was unsure that the clarification was needed. He
explained that extenuating circumstances may require a person to
miss meetings. He said he is comfortable giving the governor
the authority.
CHAIR P. WILSON suggested that Representative Gruenberg work
with the sponsor.
2:06:59 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON asked how the proposed board composition
correlates to the task force.
MR. TAYLOR related some differences exist in terms of the state
agency representation. The current task force includes a
representative from the Department of Commerce, Community &
Economic Development and the Department of Education and Early
Development (DOEED) but does not include the Denali Commission.
CHAIR P. WILSON commented that she could understand adding the
Denali Commission.
MR. OTTESEN related the members include a representative from
the nonprofit provide services and from a scheduled transit
service, a smaller nonprofit in Kenai, a tribal run transit
system in Sitka. He expressed some people attend but are not
specifically members of the task force.
2:08:54 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON asked whether the DOEED also has any
funding sources.
MR. OTTESEN answered that the idea of the Department of
Education and Early Development is largely due to their funding
for school buses. In some systems, the school buses are
incorporated into the idea of coordinated transportation. He
stated that raises some practical issues since school buses
transport children, school buses typically are not equipped with
seatbelts. Some states have used school buses successfully.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON agreed that school buses are not used for
portions of the day so it may offer a way to better utilize the
asset.
2:10:13 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG expressed concern that 90 percent of
the funding for the proposed board is federally funded. The
state cannot expect the same level of federal funding to
continue. He recalled that the legislature sometimes requires a
report from the department to the legislature in the event that
funding changes are significant. He asked for the department's
view on adding a fiscal note to require the department to notify
the legislature if federal funding changes.
MR. OTTESEN answered that he could not imagine adding a fiscal
note to provide that type of information. He agreed that
federal funding is chaotic and difficult to predict.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG recalled whether seatbelts in school
buses is an emerging issue.
CHAIR P. WILSON suggested that is a different topic.
CHAIR P. WILSON related her understanding that if funding
changed the DOT&PF would bring it up during budget
deliberations.
MR. OTTESEN agreed.
2:13:41 PM
DAVID LEVY, Executive Director, Alaska Mobility Coalition (AMC),
stated he currently is attending a National Transit Conference
in Washington, D.C. He offered the AMC is a private nonprofit
membership organization that advocates for statewide public and
community transportation. He related that the AMC's membership
includes members from Bethel, Prince of Wales Island and
"everything in between." He explained that its 97 members
provide Alaskans over 7,000,000 rides to work, school, medical
appointments, shopping, and for recreational opportunities. He
offered the AMC's support for HB 131. The AMC has worked
closely with the DOT&PF and the governor the current Coordinated
Transportation Task Force. Transportation in Alaska is unique
and the state needs a long-term committee to coordinate with
many silos that offer transportation. He characterized HB 131
as a good first step. He expressed excitement for a permanent
board to oversee statewide public and community transportation.
2:16:11 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FEIGE asked whether any federal monies are
available to individual municipalities.
MR. LEVY related that four municipally run transit systems:
Anchorage, Fairbanks, Ketchikan, and Juneau. A number of local
nonprofits, tribal governments, and everything in between
provide transportation services. A local community could apply
and Mr. Taylor could provide information on that process. He
offered his belief that local communities and local governments
have to make that investment. He recognized the cost associated
in doing so. Communities all over the state are realizing they
need to figure out how to move people. Many nonprofits and
tribal entities have stepped up to provide services, including
the senior center in Kodiak and combined tribal and nonprofit
service in Sitka, he said.
2:18:00 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FEIGE asked how many state transportation systems
are profitable self-supporting or if the systems require
continued funding.
MR. LEVY related that most transit systems in Alaska, as
elsewhere, require some type of subsidy. In most instances
local or nonprofit organizations raise funds and partner with
federal, local, or tribal partnerships to survive.
REPRESENTATIVE FEIGE asked whether the organizations can survive
without subsidies.
MR. LEVY pointed out this is one of the challenges, that all
forms of transportation ranging from ferries to public road
systems need some type of subsidy. He offered his belief that
many nonprofits and communities have been creative in addressing
funding. In response to Representative Johnson, Mr. Levy
indicated the statewide transportation system provides 7,000,000
trips per year or almost 10,000 trips per day.
2:19:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON asked how many people that represents.
MR. LEVY offered to provide the committee with a breakdown by
community based on figures from an annual statewide survey.
2:20:34 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ related her understanding that nine
communities have public transit. She asked for a list of the
combined nonprofit and tribal entities.
MR. LEVY answered yes. He said he has a list of state
recognized transit systems in Alaska that receive pass through
federal funds awarded through the competitive bid process.
2:21:44 PM
MARIE DARLIN, Coordinator, AARP Capital City Task Force,
referred to a letter of support from the AARP in members'
packets. She related her understanding that this recommendation
comes from the Governor's Coordinated Transportation Task Force.
She reported that she has heard at Alaska Commission on Aging
meetings about the work the task force has accomplished. The
Alaska Commission on Aging conducted a survey to plan how senior
services would be addressed. One of the biggest statewide
issues raised was the need for transportation and the need for
coordination of transportation services, particularly in rural
areas. Alaska is one of the few states without a community
transportation task force such as the one HB 131 would create.
She emphasized that was the point the survey identified, which
is the need more coordination in our communities.
MS. DARLIN commented that transportation funding is derived from
many sources, such as the funding from the Older Americans Act
funding is directed to the Department of Health and Social
Services (DHSS). The DHSS provides grants to various nonprofit
to provide transportation services. She stressed the necessity
of providing coordination of transportation services. She
commended the work of the Governor's Coordinated Transportation
Task Force. She expressed her hope the work will continue by a
commission who could consider the broader perspective and
actively coordinate the activities and the funding. She
emphasized that the board should also promote public
participation from consumers, including senior citizens,
disabled persons, and low income individuals. She said the
overall plan will serve all of the groups and communities. She
supported the concept of community transportation with
substantial community input to identify the needs.
2:26:30 PM
CHAIR P. WILSON pointed out her own experience traveling to
Bethel and smaller surrounding communities. She said she did
not understand how disabled people could get around without
cars, on boardwalks, or in muddy conditions.
MS. DARLIN remarked that each community is different. She
recalled that the Commission on Aging made the same observations
in Bethel. She commented that some people could not get to
meals at the senior center. Although the community is working
on this, the issues are problematic, she said.
KATHIE WASSERMAN, Executive Director, Alaska Municipal League
(AML), introduced herself.
2:28:23 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG referred to page 2, lines 19-20 of HB
131 to the membership of board. He asked for her input on
whether the composition was adequate.
MS. WASSERMAN offered that when the AML is invited to serve on
task force or group, the AML meets and collectively decides who
could best serve on a particular board. She stated that her
members have the ability to represent communities of varying
sizes. She did not think it was necessary to fill the proposed
task force with additional members.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG expressed concern that but seems like
one could perform.
MS. WASSERMAN answered yes. She stated that at times a specific
municipality expresses interest in serving. She related that
the AML also meets telephonically to discuss individual
communities' concerns.
CHAIR P. WILSON left public testimony open on HB 131.
[HB 131 was held over.]
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 131.Community & Transportation Board.pdf |
HTRA 3/15/2011 1:00:00 PM |
HB 131 |
| HB131 Sectional Analysis.2.2.11.pdf |
HTRA 3/15/2011 1:00:00 PM |
HB 131 |
| HB131.Sponsor Statement.2.14.11.pdf |
HTRA 3/15/2011 1:00:00 PM |
HB 131 |
| HB131.Alaska Mobility Coalition support ltr.2.15.11.pdf |
HTRA 3/15/2011 1:00:00 PM |
HB 131 |
| HB131.Trust transportation priorities.pdf |
HTRA 3/15/2011 1:00:00 PM |
HB 131 |
| HB131.Gov Task Force Recommendation Report.2.11.10.pdf |
HTRA 3/15/2011 1:00:00 PM |
HB 131 |
| HB131.Gov Coordinated Transportation Task Force.pdf |
HTRA 3/15/2011 1:00:00 PM |
HB 131 |
| HB0131A.pdf |
HTRA 3/15/2011 1:00:00 PM |
HB 131 |
| HB131-DOT-PD-3-11-11.pdf |
HTRA 3/15/2011 1:00:00 PM |
HB 131 |
| CSHB64- sub committee version I.pdf |
HTRA 3/15/2011 1:00:00 PM |
HB 64 |
| HB64 Vehicle Counts Statewide.pdf |
HTRA 3/15/2011 1:00:00 PM |
HB 64 |
| HB 64 CS Section Changes.pdf |
HTRA 3/15/2011 1:00:00 PM |
HB 64 |
| HB 64cs Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HTRA 3/15/2011 1:00:00 PM |
HB 64 |
| CSHB10 Ver B.pdf |
HTRA 3/15/2011 1:00:00 PM |
HB 10 |