Legislature(2009 - 2010)BUTROVICH 205
04/08/2010 01:00 PM Senate TRANSPORTATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB152 | |
| HB366 | |
| HJR47 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 152 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 366 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HJR 47 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HJR 47-SMALL VESSEL CARGO EXEMPTION
SENATOR KOOKESH announced the consideration of HJR 47.
1:42:46 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KYLE JOHANSEN, sponsor of HJR 47, said the
resolution asks the U.S. Coast Guard to amend regulations to
allow small vessels to transport concurrently fuel, cargo, and
passengers. He related that constituents of his are trying to
fill a niche market to deliver supplies to remote communities
along the coast that are too large for a plane but too small to
warrant delivery by barge. He explained that a father and son
partnership designed and received certification to build and
operate one vessel. They are not able to build a second vessel
without a change in Coast Guard regulations, which has not been
forthcoming.
HJR 47 asks the Coast Guard to consider the unique
transportation challenges in Alaska and other coastal
communities nationwide and change the regulations.
SENATOR MENARD stated support for the resolution and asked how
much fuel oil the vessel carries.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN said he has someone online who can
provide details.
SENATOR MEYER asked if the vessel was built in the Ketchikan
shipyard.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN said no; he isn't sure where it was
built, but this class of vessel would certainly interest the
shipyards in Ketchikan, Sitka and others in Alaska.
1:47:10 PM
DAVE SPOKELY, Power Systems and Supplies of Alaska (PSSA), said
that with the change in the timber industry there was a need for
smaller vessels to deliver fuel and supplies to small remote
communities. He and his partner designed the high-speed, 44-foot
aluminum landing craft in conjunction with the Coast Guard and
the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). It
carries 3000 gallons of fuel and is a spill-response vessel. It
was built in the Seattle area, but he owns the design and is
prepared to build the vessels in Alaska.
SENATOR MENARD asked if Homeland Security has any issue with
this type of vessel.
MR. SPOKELY said yes. Homeland Security didn't initially take
issue, but their attorneys said the current regulations wouldn't
allow aluminum vessels to commercially carry bulk fuel
regardless of the quantity. Coast Guard Station Juneau started
the process to write the regulations, but Homeland Security
wouldn't authorize funding for development of the regulations.
Without new regulations he is unable to expand his fleet.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN added that his office has been working
with Alaska's congressional delegation and all three members are
supportive.
1:51:46 PM
SENATOR MENARD asked if it is safe to say that new regulations
in this regard could promote up to 100 jobs.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN replied he isn't sure how many jobs
might result, but he understands that Mr. Spokely has been
overwhelmed with requests for the vessel's services. He added
that he and other Southeast legislators are trying to create a
marine center in southern Southeast Alaska.
SENATOR KOOKESH closed public testimony and asked the will of
the committee.
1:53:15 PM
SENATOR PASKVAN moved to report HJR 47 from committee with
individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). There
being no objection, HJR 47 moved from the Senate Transportation
Standing Committee.
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