Legislature(2021 - 2022)SENATE FINANCE 532
02/14/2022 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Economic Outlook: Moody's Analytics | |
| SB168 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | SB 168 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE BILL NO. 168
"An Act relating to program receipts; and relating to
the acceptance of gifts, donations, and grants for the
purpose of providing signage for assets under the
control of the Department of Transportation and Public
Facilities."
10:00:47 AM
SENATOR ROBERT MYERS, SPONSOR, introduced the legislation.
He stated that the bill would give the Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT) the receipt
authority to take donations to put up signage after the
legislature names a project.
10:01:27 AM
DAWSON MANN, STAFF, SENATOR MYERS, discussed the Sectional
Analysis (copy on file):
Section 1: AS 37.05.146(c) Page 1, Lines 5-7
This section adds gifts, donations, and grants
received by the Department of Transportation and
Public Facilities to the definition of program
receipts and non-general fund program receipts found
in the Fiscal Procedures Act in accordance with
section 2 of this bill.
Section 2: AS 44.42.060 Page 1, Lines 8-14, Page 2,
Lines 1-3
This section adds that the department may receive
gifts, donations, and grants in accordance with a
memorandum of understanding with the donor party. This
section also outlines that the funds may not be used
until the necessary funds have been collected from the
donor.
Senator von Imhof queried the process for funneling the
money.
Senator Myers replied that the intention was for DOT to
partner with an entity for administration then deliver the
funds to DOT for sign materials and labor.
Senator von Imhof surmised that the money would go toward
the plaque and not DOTs bureaucracy.
Senator Myers agreed.
Co-Chair Stedman remarked that there was sometimes signage
for trails through the Department of Natural Resources
(DNR). He felt that there should be a discussion with DNR
on that issue. He pointed out that safety issues should
also be addressed, such as crosswalks.
10:06:48 AM
Senator Olson wondered whether the intention was mainly for
land transportation corridors, or whether the bill also
included airports.
Senator Myers replied that bridges would be the most common
piece, but could be anything owned by DOT.
10:07:52 AM
ANDY MILLS, LEGISLATIVE LIAISON, DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES, explained the
legislation and the process for how DOT took third party
receipts.
Co-Chair Stedman queried the other processes for naming a
DOT-owned entity.
Mr. Mills replied that there were other ways to name the
bridges and other corridors, and he agreed to provide that
information.
10:11:01 AM
Co-Chair Stedman felt that it used to be rare to put the
naming into legislation.
Co-Chair Bishop requested every option for naming.
Senator von Imhof commented that there could be an
amendment to the bill to include DNR naming. She stressed
the pertinence of addressing safety issues as well.
Senator Olson wanted to ensure that non-state entities
would not have to provide a fiscal note, and therefore DOT
would not have the grounds to reject a public proposal.
Mr. Mills replied that the process for naming would not
change in the bill.
Senator Olson asked whether the bill created an avenue for
funds.
10:15:34 AM
Co-Chair Bishop replied in the negative. He explained that
the bill allowed entities to donate funds to build the
sign.
Senator Olson restated his question.
Mr. Mills replied that the funds received were for a
specific project.
Senator von Imhof wondered whether the outline of costs for
the donating entity would include the administration,
actual signage, and labor.
10:17:06 AM
DOM PANNONE, ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT
OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES, replied that there
was a standard quoting process for the signs.
Senator Wielechowski surmised that there would need to be a
legislative appropriation before receiving the funds.
Mr. Pannone replied that the bill created a mechanism for
DOT to create a future fiscal note with program receipts.
Co-Chair Stedman remarked that millions and sometimes
billions of dollars were spent annually on DOT, and queried
the issue of the state paying for signage.
Mr. Pannone replied that, in the past in bridge-naming
bills, there was high scrutiny around the cost of the sign.
Co-Chair Bishop queried the process for replacement.
Mr. Mills replied that the cost was often rolled into
project costs that were in the surrounding area.
10:25:11 AM
Co-Chair Bishop felt that most of the bridge bills had a
fairly low fiscal note.
Co-Chair Stedman explained the tracking of fiscal notes in
the legislature. He felt that the small cost of the naming
bills did not have a large impact on the state budget.
10:29:23 AM
Senator Wielechowski wondered whether the department would
have the authority to accept a large gift or organization
to name a road or public facility.
Mr. Mills replied that the legislative process would occur
first.
Senator von Imhof wondered whether there were ways to name
a bridge that the legislature would not be aware in
advance.
Mr. Mills replied that he was not aware of that mechanism
for naming.
Senator von Imhof wondered whether there should be a dollar
threshold attached to the bill. She remarked that sometimes
the money was not an issue, but rather it was a place for a
person to put their emotions.
10:34:01 AM
AT EASE
10:34:55 AM
RECONVENED
10:35:13 AM
Senator Wilson wondered whether DOT could return to the
funders for replacement funds.
Mr. Pannone responded that DOT paid for sign damages out of
their operational budget. He did not see DOT returning to a
donor to ask for repair funds.
Senator Wilson wondered whether the bill would make that
issue possible, because of the authorization.
Mr. Pannone replied that the bill only added the donations
to program receipts.
Co-Chair Stedman asked that DOT present the cost of the
signs over a five-year period.
Mr. Mills replied that in the year prior there were two
naming bills and accounted for less than $20,000. He agreed
to provide further information.
Co-Chair Bishop stressed that they were already existing
signs.
Senator von Imhof stressed that there was already authority
in statute to do what was proposed in the bill.
10:40:10 AM
AT EASE
10:42:06 AM
RECONVENED
10:42:16 AM
Mr. Pannone replied that the department could accept the
funds, but the bill would create a fiscal note to expend
the funds.
Co-Chair Stedman asked how much money had come from
foundations for the purpose intended from the donating
entity.
Mr. Mills replied that the bill codified a path for a third
party payment.
Senator Wielechowski queried liability if the department
failed to follow the terms of the donation.
Mr. Mills agreed to provide that information.
Co-Chair Bishop OPENED and CLOSED public testimony.
10:46:46 AM
AT EASE
10:47:01 AM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair Bishop stated that the afternoon's meeting will be
cancelled.
SB 168 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 168 v. A Sponsor Statement .pdf |
SFIN 2/14/2022 9:00:00 AM SFIN 3/14/2022 9:00:00 AM STRA 2/1/2022 1:30:00 PM |
SB 168 |
| SB 168 Support Document 2.1.22.pdf |
SFIN 2/14/2022 9:00:00 AM SFIN 3/14/2022 9:00:00 AM STRA 2/1/2022 1:30:00 PM |
SB 168 |
| SB 168 v. A Sectional Analysis.pdf |
SFIN 2/14/2022 9:00:00 AM SFIN 3/14/2022 9:00:00 AM STRA 2/1/2022 1:30:00 PM |
SB 168 |
| 020822 Moodys_AK_020822.pdf |
SFIN 2/14/2022 9:00:00 AM |
|
| SB 168 Senate Finance Feb 14 - Responses DOTPF (2-24-2022).pdf |
SFIN 2/14/2022 9:00:00 AM SFIN 3/14/2022 9:00:00 AM |
SB 168 |