Legislature(2009 - 2010)BELTZ 211
03/18/2009 01:30 PM Senate JUDICIARY
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HJR17 | |
| Lonzo Henderson – Parole Board | |
| James Christopher Brown - Judicial Conduct Commission | |
| SB59 | |
| SB73 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | SB 59 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 73 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| = | HJR 17 | ||
SB 59-LOW- SPEED MOTOR VEHICLES
1:58:13 PM
CHAIR FRENCH announced the consideration of SB 59. [Before the
committee was CSSB 59 (TRA).]
WESTON EILER, Staff to Senator Bert Stedman, said SB 59 would
amend Alaska statute to allow low-speed electric vehicles access
on certain roads with a posted speed limit of 45 mph or less.
rather than the current 35 mph. Federal regulation defines low-
speed vehicles as those that travel no faster than 25 mph. The
bill was drafted to accommodate the growing use of low-speed
vehicles in small communities by expanding the miles of road
these vehicles can access. The sponsor worked the DOT to address
some of the potential issues that might arise by having low-
speed vehicles in large urban areas. As such the CS limits the
expanded access to communities with a maximum population of
25,000 and not connected by road to Anchorage or Fairbanks. The
bill also includes an opt-in provision for communities.
2:00:17 PM
The Department of Transportation estimates that the bill would
open an additional 30 miles of road in Southeast Alaska
communities to low-speed vehicles. For example, the residents of
Wrangell could drive low-speed vehicles to their airport. SB 59
promotes sustainable cost-effective transportation and at the
same time allows local communities substantial flexibility.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked the definition of a low-speed
vehicle.
MR. EILER explained that they are defined in federal regulation,
but the gist is that they can travel no faster than 25 mph.
Because of their slow speed they aren't required to have certain
safety features such as airbags. In response to a question, he
said a Toyota hybrid is not a low-speed vehicle.
2:01:52 PM
SENATOR THERRIAULT asked if he knows how many low-speed vehicles
are in the state because they have to be registered with the
Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
MR. EILER said yes they are registered with DMV; 19 are
currently registered and there's a dealer in Petersburg.
SENATOR THERRIAULT asked what crash-test standards they have.
MR. EILER offered to provide that information.
CHAIR FRENCH noted that Mr. Healy with the Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF) and Mr. Springer
with DMV are available to answer questions.
SENATOR THERRIAULT asked if low-speed vehicles could operate in
the core of Fairbanks or Anchorage if the communities wanted to
allow that.
MR. EILER said he believes that by local ordinance they would be
allowed, but he would defer to the drafters.
2:04:06 PM
ROGER HEALY, Chief Engineer, Department of Transportation and
Public Facilities (DOTPF), explained that the current statute
allows low-speed vehicles on roadways statewide that have posted
speed limits of 35 mph or less. He further explained that the
existing regulations allow a low-speed vehicle to cross highways
with posted speed limits of greater than 35 mph if the crossing
is to access another highway that is authorized for low-speed
vehicles.
2:05:16 PM
SENATOR THERRIAULT asked if the senior population in the City of
North Pole could drive one of these vehicles to the grocery
store. They would not get on the Richardson Highway so the
municipality could make the decision to opt in.
MR. HEALY said not in that case because of the connection to the
Fairbanks and Anchorage road network.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI observed that low-speed vehicles would not
be allowed in Huston or Willow or Big Lake for the same reason.
They're connected to the Fairbanks and Anchorage road network.
MR. HEALY said that's correct.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked what low-speed vehicles are typically
used for.
MR. HEALY said he understands they are used for short point-to-
point trips such as from home to the store and back.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked the rational behind the provision
that excludes these vehicles in communities that are connected
by road to Anchorage or Fairbanks.
2:07:19 PM
MR. HEALY explained that the provision is a result of discussion
between the department and the sponsor. DOTPF's main concern was
that data shows that accident potential increases as vehicle
speed differential increases. Vehicles traveling on roads that
are posted at 45 mph often travel much faster than that. Another
concern is that these vehicles would create congestion problems
on busy highways and therefore would not contribute to the
capacity of the roadway.
CHAIR FRENCH noted that the bill is aimed at Sitka, Petersburg,
Wrangell and any little island communities, and asked what other
communities would be affected.
SENATOR THERRIAULT said they'd be allowed in all of rural Alaska
that isn't connected.
2:09:54 PM
MR. HEALY added that the language in the CS has an opt-in
provision for local communities with a population of less than
25,000. In the unorganized borough these vehicles are allowed on
highways outside city boundaries. Cities within the unorganized
borough such as Nome and Bethel retain the option.
CHAIR FRENCH asked if there is a list of communities that would
qualify under the exception in subparagraph (B). After some
discussion he deferred his question.
2:12:11 PM
SENATOR THERRIAULT noted that Northway, which is a community
that is off the Alaska Highway, wouldn't be able to have these
vehicles.
CHAIR FRENCH said Talkeetna would be similarly excluded.
MR. HEALY explained that there isn't a restriction on their use
in either of those communities as long as the existing speed
limit is below 35 mph. It's the same for Anchorage or Fairbanks;
the restriction applies just if the speed limit is greater than
35 mph.
2:13:30 PM
GERALD HERBRANDSON, representing himself, stated support for SB
59. His company, Solar Wind, specializes in alternative energy
products including electric vehicles. In Petersburg there are 9
of these vehicles and about 19 statewide. Basically these are
small slow speed cars that look somewhat similar to a VW bug.
One difference is that they don't have certain safety features
such as airbags. In small communities most trips are to the
grocery store, the post office or the school and that is hard on
gasoline or diesel powered engines because they don't warm up.
In contrast, electric vehicles are designed for this that kind
of trip. They're simple, efficient, and economical to operate,
he said.
CHAIR FRENCH asked what his cars cost.
MR. HERBRANDSON said between $16,000 and $18,000. Operational
costs are minimal and maintenance is low.
2:16:58 PM
SENATOR THERRIAULT asked where the vehicles are manufactured.
MR. HERBRANDSON said he sells Miles vehicles. They are Japanese
vehicles that are assembled in China, modified in California and
adapted for use in Alaska.
2:17:48 PM
MEGAN PASTERNAK, representing herself from Sitka, said she has
been a low-speed electric vehicle owner and driver for more than
a year. SB 59 is about more than just cheap transportation; it
is a much needed step to help eliminate pollution and protect
the environment. She is a very conscientious driver and is sure
other low-speed vehicle drivers are similarly conscientious. Her
understanding of why they are safe is that they are lightweight
and "when involved in a crash they tend to bounce away rather
than take the full impact force."
2:20:50 PM
CHAIR FRENCH closed public testimony and announced he would hold
SB 59 in committee.
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