Legislature(2017 - 2018)BUTROVICH 205
03/24/2017 08:00 AM Senate EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB87 | |
| SB78 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 78 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 96 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| = | SB 87 | ||
SB 87-SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION ENERGY EFFICIENCY STD
8:02:19 AM
CHAIR HUGHES announced the consideration of SB 87. She noted it
is the second hearing of the bill. She listed those available to
answer questions.
BRITTANY HUTCHISON, Staff, Senator Anna MacKinnon, Alaska State
Legislature, reviewed SB 87 on behalf of the sponsor. She
summarized the purpose and goal of SB 87. She said the bill will
increase energy and operating efficiency in school buildings. It
will help make schools more affordable, maintainable, and longer
lasting. School districts in Alaska need long-term operating
cost savings, and energy and operating costs are eating up the
base student allocation. As stewards of public funds, efficient
use of money and energy is essential to public policy. The state
needs to maintain and control costs for all public school
facilities and extend the lives of those facilities by being
more energy efficient, by using standardized component parts,
and by placing prioritization on classroom infrastructure and
functional design.
8:05:21 AM
SENATOR STEVENS asked who makes up the group that is putting
this together. He voiced concern about co-locating schools with
other state facilities.
MS. HUTCHISON replied that Section 10 lists the nine working
group members: one from DEED, one from AHFC, one from AEA, one
from the Cold Climate Research Center, one from DOTPF, one
superintendent from a rural school district and one from an
urban school district, and two members from the construction
industry.
She addressed Senator Stevens' concern about co-location. The
bill provides that all agencies or organization must have
background checks and separate entrances. She provided examples
of who might co-locate in a school, such as health aides,
firefighters, librarians.
8:07:05 AM
SENATOR STEVENS had concerns about energy costs in rural areas.
He said that some members in the working group would have
experience with rural energy costs.
MS. HUTCHISON agreed.
8:07:45 AM
CHAIR HUGHES asked if two members from the construction industry
would be enough. She suggested having one member be from either
AEA or Cold Climate Research.
MS. HUTCHISON responded that the sponsor has considered having
architects or designers in the group and she is open to
suggestions. She would like to keep it to 9 to 11 members.
SENATOR BEGICH suggested having two alternates from the
construction industry.
MS. HUTCHISON said reiterated that the goal is to keep the
working group manageable with 9 to 11 members.
8:09:37 AM
SENATOR STEVENS asked if the working group has a higher
authority than the local community has.
MS. HUTCHISON said the group does not have authority over local
control. She added that a school district can go above and
beyond the recommendations for cost per square footage, but must
pay for it. The idea is to follow certain standards.
8:10:58 AM
CHAIR HUGHES asked whether an existing school would go through
the same process to convert to a multiple-purpose facility.
MS. HUTCHISON said that provision is included in the plan.
CHAIR HUGHES questioned the clarity of "major maintenance
project" on page 5, line 31.
MS. HUTCHISON said she did not have the answer.
8:12:02 AM
SENATOR BEGICH said that "major maintenance" in school
construction is defined in statute.
CHAIR HUGHES wondered if new out buildings on school property
would follow the same process.
MS. HUTCHISON said they had not considered it.
CHAIR HUGHES suggested it would work, as the bill is written.
8:13:15 AM
SENATOR BEGICH asked Ms. Hutchison if she would be looking at
these suggestions soon.
MS. HUTCHISON said the sponsor does have a list of suggestions
and has heard from multiple stakeholders, including the
Department of Law. She thought they would have a plan by 5:00
today.
8:14:17 AM
SENATOR COGHILL saw that on page 10, lines 26 and 27, after the
working group is done they report to the legislature. He asked
if that is after regulations have gone into effect.
MS. HUTCHISON explained the timeline. Once SB 87 passes, the
working group would have 18 months to come up with a report to
the legislature. Immediately after, the department would have 6
months to write regulations. The sponsor is considering the
legislature's role as it relates to regulations.
SENATOR COGHILL suggested that DEED, as a member of the working
group, may want to be involved all through the process in order
to provide a fiscal note.
8:15:46 AM
MS. HUTCHISON said there is a DEED fiscal note attached which
requests two full-time employees and one temporary employee.
SENATOR COGHILL liked the timeline and the working group makeup.
He also said he can accept the 18-month deadline. He asked if
the working group has a definition for climate regions.
8:17:30 AM
MS. HUTCHISON replied that there is a list of four climate zones
in Alaska. AHFC can address the zones.
CHAIR HUGHES pointed out that there are cost variables within
those zones.
SENATOR COGHILL agreed that economic and transportation costs
also vary.
MS. HUTCHISON noted that the bill establishes the maximum cost
per square foot, which is subject to change based on many
variables.
CHAIR HUGHES asked if AHFC is the best one to address that
issue.
MS. HUTCHISON said yes.
8:19:02 AM
JOHN ANDERSON, Director, Research and Rural Development, Alaska
Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC), answered questions related
to SB 87. He responded first to the question about climate zones
by relating AHFC's building energy efficient standards in
reference to residential housing. They apply the same climate
zone standards through all programs, including commercial
application or public facilities. Their process follows a
national model the Department of Energy and the Environmental
Protection Agency put out. AHFC uses modeling software called
AkWarm to determine climate regions using the number of heating
degree days. It is specific to the energy characteristics in
Alaska's regions and includes Climate Zone 9. Other
characteristics such as transportation costs can be addressed
through the working group.
8:21:01 AM
SENATOR BEGICH stated that the bill is written to address the
climate zones. He suggested having other language to address
other factors, such as cost and transportation factors, to get
to a square-footage cost. He asked if AHFC sets those costs
based only on climate data.
MR. ANDERSON said yes.
8:21:51 AM
CHAIR HUGHES inquired about the 30-year life of a building on
page 10. She wondered if that length could be extended to 50
years.
MS. HUTCHISON recommended asking Cold Climate Housing Research
Center, AHFC, or DOTPF.
CHAIR HUGHES asked Mr. Hodgin to answer.
8:22:55 AM
CHRISTOPHER HODGIN, Engineer, Statewide Public Facilities,
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF),
answered questions related to SB 87. He addressed the life of a
building. If it is extended past 30 years, increased cost
factors must be considered. Regarding energy efficient upgrades,
some of the technologies have less than a 30-year life.
8:23:51 AM
JACK HEBERT, CEO, Cold Climate Housing Research Center, answered
questions related to SB 87. He said the durability of a building
is based on a number of factors related to the mechanical
systems. However, the structure itself is dependent on the
building science incorporated in it. There is no reason why a
building cannot be designed to last 50 to 75 years.
CHAIR HUGHES asked how much that might affect the cost.
MR. HEBERT opined that it does not necessarily have to cost more
with proper selection of materials.
8:25:25 AM
SENATOR BEGICH asked about page 6, Section 8, where it says the
Commissioner of DEED shall consult with AEA. He questioned
whether DOTPF could also be consulted and if that was ok with
AEA.
8:26:00 AM
KATIE CONWAY, Manager, Government Relations, Alaska Energy
Authority (AEA), Department of Commerce, Community and Economic
Development (DCCED), answered questions related to SB 87. She
suggested that while AEA could manage this task if the
legislature requests it, DOTPF could also. She thought it would
make sense to ask DOTPF.
8:26:52 AM
MR. HODGIN agreed that DOTPF could assist with the task.
SENATOR BEGICH said it didn't matter to him who does it; the one
best suited to is fine with him.
CHAIR HUGHES offered a question directed to DEED regarding when
the reports mentioned on page 8 are required. It says the
maintenance and support team will report and the school district
will also report. She asked if one or two reports are required
and what is to be reported. She requested that DEED address
those issues at a later meeting.
CHAIR HUGHES held SB 87 in committee.