Legislature(2021 - 2022)BUTROVICH 205
04/04/2022 03:30 PM Senate RESOURCES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB85 | |
| SB223 | |
| HB148 | |
| HB209 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 85 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 223 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 148 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 209 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
HB 148-ALASKA COORDINATE SYSTEM OF 2022
4:25:19 PM
VICE CHAIR MICCICHE announced the consideration of HOUSE BILL
NO. 148 am "An Act relating to the Alaska Coordinate System of
2022."
4:25:30 PM
At ease.
4:25:45 PM
VICE CHAIR MICCICHE reconvened the meeting.
4:25:52 PM
REECE WILLIAMS, Staff, Representative Laddie Shaw, Juneau,
Alaska, presented HB 148 am on behalf of the sponsor. The
sponsor statement reads as follows:
[Original punctuation provided.]
HB 148 House Bill 148 revises Alaska Statute
chapter 38.20, known as the Alaska Coordinate System,
to reflect changes in the federal datum used as a base
for the coordinate system and to allow for future
updates.
The system is comprised of rectangular plane
coordinates used to define accurate positions or
locations of points on the surface of the earth.
Currently, forty-eight states have adopted state
plane coordinate systems into their statutes. This
bill revises the Alaska Coordination System as an
ongoing modernization of the U.S National Spatial
Reference System to reduce the distortions present in
the current system. In addition to improved zone
locations, that will cover population and resources
areas, a new statewide zone will be created for
Alaska. This will reduce the distortion of the
projection currently in use and improve the display of
statewide geographic data.
This is an important and practical step for
Alaska to adapt to this coordination system. Alaska
will have the advantage of improvements in the
geodetic positioning, and with the new gravity-based
elevation. This will dramatically improve the ability
to measure elevations in Alaska. This modernization
effort will benefit scientists, surveyors, design
professionals, GIS specialists, and the geospatial
community. The improved coordinate system minimizes
linear distortions and is designed to include
population centers and resource development.
I encourage your support in the passage of HB 148
as it is critical to Alaska maintaining accuracy to
surveying and mapping.
MR. WILLIAMS informed the committee that the term "datum" is a
tool to define the shape and size of the earth and a reference
point various coordinate systems use in mapping. He said the
most recent federal datums were the North American datum of 1983
and the North American vertical datum of 1988. He conveyed the
NOAA website definition of datum as the starting point for
giving directions. For example, if one were to give directions
to their house, they would begin with a known starting point
such as a cross street or an address.
4:27:33 PM
MR. WILLIAMS played a video from the NOAA website that provides
more information and explains some of the technical terms
associated with global navigation satellite systems.
4:32:06 PM
VICE CHAIR MICCICHE moved to invited testimony on HB 148.
4:32:22 PM
JAKE MAXWELL, PLS, Executive Member, Alaska Society of
Professional Land Surveyors, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in
support of HB 148. He urged the committee to pass the bill so
this updated coordinate system would be available to surveyors
and other professionals.
SENATOR MICCICHE asked if the updated coordinate system had any
practical application for landowners.
MR. MAXWELL replied that there would be no significant effect on
landowners.
VICE CHAIR MICCICHE asked Ms. Gervelis to provide her testimony.
4:33:33 PM
GWEN GERVELIS, Chief Surveyor, Division of Mining, Land, and
Water, Department of Natural Resources, Anchorage, Alaska,
stated that she was available to answer technical questions
related to HB 148. [There were none.]
4:34:15 PM
VICE CHAIR MICCICHE opened public testimony on HB 148.
4:34:39 PM
KELSEY DAVIDSON, President, Alaska Professional Design Council
(APDC), Eagle River, Alaska, testified in support of HB 148. She
stated that the Alaska Society of Professional Land Surveyors
was an affiliate member of APDC and those professionals need the
more modern and functional coordinate system in statute in order
to utilize the system in their practice. She noted that a letter
of support from APCD was in the bill packet. She urged the
committee to pass the bill.
4:35:41 PM
VICE CHAIR MICCICHE closed public testimony on HB 148.
4:35:54 PM
SENATOR STEVENS moved to report HB 148 am, work order 32-
LS0407\A.A from committee with individual recommendations and
attached fiscal note(s).
4:36:09 PM
VICE CHAIR MICCICHE found no objection, and HB 148 am was
reported from the Senate Resources Standing Committee.