03/07/1996 09:15 AM Senate FIN

                                                                               
  SENATE BILL NO. 241                                                          
                                                                               
       An Act relating to the use of studded tires on the                      
       Sterling Highway.                                                       
                                                                               
  Co-chairman  Halford directed that SB  241 be brought on for                 
  discussion.     SENATOR  JOHN  TORGERSON,  sponsor   of  the                 
  legislation, came before  committee.  He explained  that the                 
  bill would cure a problem on  the Sterling Highway.  Because                 
  current law  establishes a different  time frame for  use of                 
  studded  tires  on  the southern  peninsula  portion  of the                 
  highway  between Ninilchik  and  Homer,  those driving  from                 
  Anchorage  to Homer are legally required  to change tires in                 
  Ninilchik in  order to  complete the journey  to Homer,  and                 
                                                                               
                                                                               
  reverse the process when returning to Anchorage.  The law is                 
  presently   being  ignored,  but   the  statutes  should  be                 
  corrected.                                                                   
                                                                               
  Senator Torgerson referenced  an earlier fiscal note  by the                 
  Dept.  of Transportation  and  Public Facilities  indicating                 
  fiscal impact.  The department has  since changed the fiscal                 
  note to zero.                                                                
                                                                               
  Senator Donley MOVED  that SB 241  pass from committee  with                 
  accompanying zero fiscal  notes.   No objection having  been                 
  raised,  SB  241  was  REPORTED  OUT  of  committee  with  a                 
  unanimous "do pass"  recommendation and zero notes  from the                 
  Dept. of Transportation and Public  Facilities and the Dept.                 
  of Public Safety.