Legislature(2003 - 2004)
02/26/2004 03:33 PM Senate STA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SB 327-ROLLERBLADERS REGULATED LIKE BICYCLES
CHAIR GARY STEVENS announced SB 327 to be up for consideration.
He asked Senator Seekins to step forward.
SENATOR RALPH SEEKINS, sponsor of SB 327, read the title of the
bill and the following sponsor statement:
For many years roller-skiers' legal use of public
roadways was, more or less, taken for granted. This
assumption was successfully challenged in the
Fairbanks area last fall. SB 327 seeks to remedy this
situation by specifically allowing the use of
particular wheeled devices on those public roadways
also available to bicyclists. It also recommends a set
of safety standards for the use of these devices.
Alaska is home to some of the best international,
national, collegiate, and junior cross-country skiers
on the planet. In fact, seven of the ten Alaskans
competing in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake
City were cross-country skiers. Imagine that. Seven
Olympic cross-country skiers from such a small state
as ours! This speaks volumes not only about our
skiers' work ethic but also their training
opportunities.
The natural preference of many of these world-class
athletes would, no doubt, have Alaska covered in snow
year-round. Since this is not a reasonable near-term
possibility, the use of wheeled skis to imitate snow
skiing has grown to become an effective training tool
for use during non-winter months. What's more, Alaska
is becoming well known nationally and internationally
as a favored summer-time training site.
For these reasons, it is the intent of the proposed
legislation to accommodate this seasonal use of some
of our roadways. In fact, other northern locales -
such as Norway, Sweden and Canada - have, for many
years, supported the efforts of their cross-country
athletes with similar provisions. Furthermore, the
proposed legislation borrows heavily from Cross
Country Canada's policy respecting the use of roller-
skis on public roads.
SB 327 seeks to accommodate this important training
activity by utilizing safe and reasonable methods for
sharing roadway surfaces with motorized vehicles. It
has garnered a groundswell of support throughout the
cross-country community ranging from Alaska's Inter
region to Southcentral to the Kenai Peninsula.
The 2006 Winter Olympic games are just around the
corner. Would it be too much to expect seven (or more)
of our cross-country skiers to make the trip to
Torino, Italy? Of course not! In fact, a little
courtesy and common sense combined with a small
statutory revision can help make it happen.
SENATOR JOHN COWDERY questioned the title because roller skis
weren't specifically listed.
SENATOR SEEKINS replied they are covered under the term "similar
devices."
SENATOR COWDERY wanted it a matter of record the intent is to
include roller skis.
SENATOR SEEKINS agreed adding that he didn't intend to include
skateboards.
CHAIR GARY STEVENS asked whether unicycles would be included.
SENATOR SEEKINS replied unicycles aren't covered because they
aren't in the pedestrian class. He intended to include only
those devices that are used on your feet.
SENATOR COWDERY asked if these devices could be used on any
roads or would certain ones be designated while others would be
off limits. He also questioned how this state law would
correlate with municipality restrictions.
SENATOR SEEKINS replied the law doesn't say that municipalities
couldn't place further restrictions. This bill says that any
road that a bicyclist can legally use would be eligible for use
with roller skis. In addition there are safety restrictions
applied such as traveling in single file except when passing and
not using electronic devices that might inhibit hearing.
SENATOR COWDERY noted that Anchorage has a number of trails and
he hopes that pedestrians using wheeled adjuncts would be
encouraged to use them whenever possible.
SENATOR SEEKINS agreed that is a good idea whenever possible;
common sense should prevail.
SENATOR BERT STEDMAN asked if there is a definition for bright
clothing and how enforceable that clothing requirement might be.
SENATOR SEEKINS replied, "We're asking, you'll notice in the
first part there, for the department to set up some of these
regulations. We're giving them some discretion."
SENATOR STEDMAN noted that the use of headsets is excluded.
SENATOR SEEKINS said that is for safety reasons.
BRIAN HOVE, staff to Senator Seekins, stated that when headsets
are worn around the neck it's possible to listen to music and
still hear what's going on around you.
SENATOR COWDERY asked who would be liable if a roller skier
caused an automobile accident.
SENATOR SEEKINS advised there is no mandatory insurance for
bicyclists and the same would apply for these devices, but that
doesn't mean they wouldn't be personally liable.
CHAIR GARY STEVENS noted the title specifically mentions
rollerblades, roller skates, and similar devices, but in the
body of the bill rollerblades, roller skates and roller skis are
mentioned. He questioned whether it wouldn't be better to list
all three in the title.
SENATOR SEEKINS stated he had no objection to that suggestion.
Originally they left it open to include other similar devices,
but they have received no input for any other devices.
CHAIR GARY STEVENS asked, "So your intention is no other
devices, just these three."
SENATOR SEEKINS said that's correct and he wouldn't object to an
amendment.
MR. HOVE chimed in, "Part of this is a drafting situation as
well."
SENATOR COWDERY asked what it takes to change the title of a
bill in committee.
CHAIR GARY STEVENS explained that the committee could make the
amendment.
SENATOR COWDERY said he would consider that a friendly
amendment.
SENATOR SEEKINS supported the amendment.
CHAIR GARY STEVENS questioned whether the sponsor was
comfortable changing the title to specifically include
rollerblades, roller skates, and roller skis.
SENATOR SEEKINS replied he was comfortable.
CHAIR GARY STEVENS asked for and received no objection to the
amendment to change the title and it was so ordered.
He then opened public testimony.
AL STOREY, with the Alaska State Troopers, testified via
teleconference to advise that they had a few concerns, but they
were ready to work with the sponsor.
DAN YAUNT testified via teleconference from Fairbanks to oppose
the bill. He reported that he had several problems with roller
skiers on Cripple Creek Road last summer because they were
skiing three and four abreast. They took up most of the road and
seldom made any effort to get out of the way. He also expressed
concerns about liability and that his insurance company would
have to pay and he would be held responsible if there was an
accident.
SENATOR COWDERY told Mr. Yaunt that his experience has been that
the insurance company would go after the person that is liable.
SENATOR SEEKINS agreed that going down the road three and four
abreast is unsafe and the bill specifies single file unless
passing.
WENDALL WATERS testified via teleconference from Fairbanks in
opposition to SB 327. He said, "Common sense is to keep
obstacles off the road as much as possible." He charged that
getting the police to respond to a roller skier who is creating
a hazard is a nightmare and it won't happen.
MIKE KRAMER testified via teleconference from Fairbanks in
support of SB 327 and opined that concern about liability was
causing the discussion to drift in a different direction than
Senator Seekins intended. Roller skis should be regulated the
same way that bicycles are regulated, he said. He urged the
committee to pass the bill.
DICK FLAHARTY testified via teleconference from Fairbanks in
support of the bill. He reported that he just returned from
Norway where he watched his son participate as a member of the
U.S. Jr. ski team. Roller skiing is how most teams in the rest
of the world train during the summer and if this kind of
training isn't allowed in Alaska, then U.S. skiers are placed at
a decided disadvantage. He said it's foolish if it's not allowed
and he hopes the bill passes quickly.
CHAIR GARY STEVENS noted that Senator Lyman Hoffman had joined
the meeting.
AELIN PETERSON testified via teleconference from Fairbanks to
say that she was privileged to represent the U.S as a cross-
country skier in the 2002 Winter Olympics. She briefly described
what it took to realize her long-term goal to become an Olympic
skier. She noted that in 2002, 3 of the 8 skiers on the woman's
team were Alaskans and a fourth does considerable training in
Alaska. As Senator Seekins mentioned, about half the entire
cross-country ski team came from Alaska, which is something to
be proud of and not to be discouraged.
She said, "Roller skiing is absolutely an essential part of my
training. If I were unable to roller ski in Alaska I would be
forced to leave the state. It is that crucial to, at least, ski
racers."
She said she completely agreed that skiing single file should be
strictly enforced. In addition, most coaches probably don't
support the use of electronic devices because they would prefer
that the skier focus on form instead. She noted that she always
wears bright colored clothing and that could be encouraged.
MS. PETERSON said she is proud to represent Alaska in
international ski competitions and she hopes the state continues
to produce young cross-country skiers, elite athletes and aware
communities.
RICHARD DOERING testified via teleconference from Fairbanks as a
concerned citizen. He said, "I would hate to think that we would
restrict anyone from using our roads." Although he drives a car
more often than not, he believes that "roads are not just for
cars." He agreed with Senator Seekins that common sense and
courtesy should be employed.
CHAIR GARY STEVENS noted that there was no further testimony.
SENATOR COWDERY made a motion to move CSSB 327(STA) from
committee with attached fiscal note and asked for unanimous
consent. There being no objection, it was so ordered.
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