04/09/2009 09:00 AM Senate STATE AFFAIRS

        HB 139-ALLOW SCREEN DEVICES IN UTILITY VEHICLES                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
9:53:08 AM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR MENARD announced the consideration of HB 139.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
ALLISON  LAFFEN, Staff  to Representative  Max Gruenberg,  Alaska                                                               
State  Legislature,  said  her   office  has  been  working  with                                                               
Representative Gatto  on HB 139.  It corrects on oversight  in HB
 of 2008, which prohibits  vehicle drivers from having a screen                                                               
device operating  within their  view when the  car is  in motion.                                                               
Exceptions were  made for cell  phones, GPS devices, and  for the                                                               
Department of Transportation, but it  failed to make an exception                                                               
to public utility companies. These  companies need screen devices                                                               
for data acquisition and to receive emergency information.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
CURTIS  THAYER,  ENSTAR  Natural   Gas,  Anchorage,  said  ENSTAR                                                               
supports  HB 139,  which will  clarify statute.  Public utilities                                                               
use  data acquisition  in meter  readings and  for gas  leaks and                                                               
fire.  Municipal Light  and Power,  Chugach Electric,  and Golden                                                               
Valley  Electric support  HB  139.  "We believe  it  was just  an                                                               
oversight last year when the original bill was passed."                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR FRENCH asked  if the bill stopped the  company from using                                                               
the screen devices.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
MR. THAYER  said it did not,  but a clarification is  needed. The                                                               
vehicles drive slowly down the  street and electronically receive                                                               
meter information.  If there is  a discrepancy the van  will pull                                                               
off and check the meter.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
9:57:25 AM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR FRENCH asked if the company has received any tickets.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
MR. THAYER said no.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR MEYER said it is frustrating to have to pass a bill to                                                                  
correct one passed last year. Are there other screen device                                                                     
users to be addressed, like the Anchorage Police Department?                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS. LAFFEN said she is not aware of any others.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR MEYER moved to report HB 139 from committee with                                                                        
individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). There                                                                   
being no objection, HB 139 passed out of committee.