Legislature(2023 - 2024)BARNES 124
05/02/2024 01:00 PM House TRANSPORTATION
Note: the audio ![]()
and video ![]()
recordings are distinct records and are obtained from different sources. As such there may be key differences between the two. The audio recordings are captured by our records offices as the official record of the meeting and will have more accurate timestamps. Use the icons to switch between them.
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB355 | |
| HB233 | |
| HB332 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| *+ | HB 355 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 233 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 332 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 355-STATEWIDE PUBLIC & COMMUNITY TRANSIT PLAN
3:52:33 PM
CHAIR MCCABE announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 355, "An Act relating to the duties of the
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities; and relating
to a statewide public and community transit plan."
3:52:52 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GENEVIEVE MINA, Alaska State Legislature, as
prime sponsor, presented HB 355. She paraphrased the sponsor
statement [included in the committee packet], which read as
follows [original punctuation provided]:
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public
Facilities (DOT&PF) stewards the state's
transportation system, and their statutory
responsibilities include studying alternative means of
improving transportation in the state. Currently,
DOT&PF is only required to study alternative modes of
transportation in urban areas.
HB 355 seeks to expand the scope of DOT&PF's long-term
statewide transportation planning to ensure local
input by public, tribal, and community transit
programs in improving Alaska's multimodal network.
Examples of existing community transit programs
include Anchorage's People Mover, Nome's Tribal
Transit Program, Juneau's Capital Transit, and Tok's
Interior Alaska Bus Line. Local collaboration on
transportation planning is a requirement for federal
funding of transportation projects. Lack of proper
public engagement can lead to Title VI violations and
puts Alaska at risk of reduced federal funding and
lawsuits.
Alternatives transportation methods are essential for
Alaskans with mobility issues, those without access to
a car, or who otherwise cannot drive. Public
transportation provides inclusive and equitable
mobility for Alaskans, especially for low-income
Alaskans, youth, and the elderly. Increasing transit
options provides a safe, essential means for Alaskans
to go to work, receive medical care, access community
resources, and participate in recreation activities.
Additionally, according to a 2022 DOT&PF study, Alaska
communities benefit from transit due to job creation,
increased business sales, reduction of road
congestion, air pollution, and travel times.
Access to public and community transit is essential to
connect all Alaskans to their jobs and communities. HB
355 improves the annual study, reporting, and
development of Alaska's multimodal transportation
network.
3:55:01 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES noted the exclusion of the Alaska Marine
Highway System (AMHS).
3:55:17 PM
CHAIR MCCABE communicated that there would not be a sectional
analysis provided today. He welcomed invited testifiers.
3:55:53 PM
MILLIE RYAN, President, Alaska Mobility Coalition, gave invited
testimony in support of HB 355. She gave a brief professional
background and stated that transportation was more than just
about transporting people. She provided examples of those who
cannot drive and the dependence they have on public
transportation, and it should be high priority, she opined.
Without transportation, she said, people become isolated,
depressed, and more dependent on others. She thanked the
committee for the opportunity to provide testimony on HB 355.
3:58:08 PM
MICHELE GIRAULT, Executive Director, Hope Community Resources,
gave invited testimony in support of HB 355. She provided her
professional background and shared that one of the key platform
issues this session was to support the Alaska Mobility
Coalition's advocacy for enhanced transportation. People with
disabilities must be provided adequate transportation to get to
work, mainly in rural areas where there are more complications,
she said. She reiterated her full support for HB 355 on behalf
of Hope Community Resources.
3:59:38 PM
PATRICK REINHART, Executive Director, Governor's Council on
Disabilities and Special Education, gave invited testimony in
support of HB 355. He stressed that this issue has been brought
forth with many other groups because year after year, the
importance of transportation focused on people with disabilities
and seniors, as well as those who do not drive and are dependent
upon systems that are robust and work.
4:01:07 PM
CHAIR MCCABE noted that Mr. Mills and Mr. Taylor, from the
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF),
were available online.
4:01:15 PM
ANDY MILLS, Legislative Liaison, Department of Transportation &
Public Facilities, Office of the Commissioner, was available for
questions during the hearing on HB 355 and noted that the
transportation commissioner has had "great conversations" with
the Alaska Mobility Coalition. He explained that DOT&PF wished
to prioritize transit with other modes, and that many of the
statutes do not list other modes. He offered to provide a
detailed list of what DOT&PF was currently involved in terms of
transit grants.
4:03:40 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES related that a disabled nephew in Kodiak
had been provided transportation, and she stressed the
"continuation of routine" that the transportation provided for
him. She expressed her support for the bill being brought
forth.
4:04:27 PM
CHAIR MCCABE announced that HB 355 was held over.