Legislature(2001 - 2002)
05/07/2002 01:43 PM Senate TRA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SB 372-TRANSPORTATION BONDS
MR. DON SMITH, staff to the Senate Transportation Committee,
informed members that SB 372 would put a proposal before the
voters on the November 2002 ballot to fund 14 transportation
projects around the state through the sale of bonds. He listed
the 14 transportation projects listed in the legislation and said
the total cost will be just over $160 million.
SENATOR WARD moved to adopt Amendment 1, which would delete the
existing item number (10) on page 2, line 28, and insert a new
item number (10) Eagle River, Old Glenn Highway MP 0-18.7. The
amendment would also add item number (15), the Matanuska-Susitna
Fairview Loop Path for $1,310,000 and item (16), which would be
the Nash Road Rehabilitation project in Seward for the amount of
$2,605,000.
SENATOR ELTON objected for the purpose of discussion and asked
for an explanation of why the Trunk Road was being dropped and
new projects added.
SENATOR WARD explained that the new projects are a higher
priority of the Senators from those areas who have a better
knowledge of what is needed. He said that Mile 0-18.7 on the Old
Glenn Highway travels up toward the Knik River and is a part of
the old Alcan Highway. It has not been improved since the new
highway was built. He added that item (15) was requested by the
Senator from that area, who said it is a high priority. He said,
regarding item 16, the Nash Road Rehabilitation is one of
Seward's highest priorities.
SENATOR ELTON pointed out that the adoption of Amendment 1 will
require a title change.
SENATOR WARD moved a conceptual amendment to adjust the title to
reflect the new appropriation amounts and asked for unanimous
consent.
CHAIRMAN COWDERY noted that Amendment 1 was not yet adopted.
SENATOR WARD withdrew his conceptual amendment.
CHAIRMAN COWDERY asked if there was continued objection to
adopting Amendment 1. There being none, Amendment 1 was adopted.
SENATOR WARD moved to change the title of SB 372 as amended to
reflect the new dollar amount resulting from the adoption of
Amendment 1.
CHAIRMAN COWDERY announced that without objection, the title
would be changed.
SENATOR ELTON moved to adopt Amendment 2.
SENATOR WARD objected.
SENATOR ELTON explained that Amendment 2 would add a total of $35
million for the fast ferry project. If adopted, the bill title
would have to be adjusted again. He informed members that one
fast ferry has been approved; Amendment 2 would allocate dollars
for a second fast ferry. Amendment 2 would require changes on
page 2, lines 10 and 21 (to add a project description), page 3,
line 6, and page 4, line 1.
CHAIRMAN COWDERY noted that objection was maintained therefore a
roll call vote was taken. The motion to adopt Amendment 2 failed
with Senator Elton in favor and Senators Ward, Wilken and Cowdery
opposed.
CHAIRMAN COWDERY noted that no one else wished to testify on the
bill as amended.
SENATOR WILKEN asked if the other body was deliberating companion
legislation.
[No response was audible.]
SENATOR WARD moved SB 372 as amended, CSSB 372(TRA), from
committee with individual recommendations.
CHAIRMAN COWDERY announced that people were waiting to testify
via teleconference.
SENATOR WARD withdrew his motion to move CSSB 372(TRA) from
committee.
CHAIRMAN COWDERY took public testimony.
MR. KEVIN RITCHIE, Alaska Municipal League (AML), thanked the
committee for taking action on the bill.
MR. MIKE SCOTT, representing the Municipality of Anchorage and
the AML, thanked members for introducing the bill and said a
statewide transportation package is an AML priority.
There being no further testimony, SENATOR WARD moved CSSB
372(TRA) from committee with individual recommendations.
CHAIRMAN COWDERY announced that without objection, CSSB 372(TRA)
moved from committee.
SENATOR TAYLOR asked if the funding for the three roads in
Anchorage will amount to $88 million, while the road resurface in
Ketchikan will amount to $600,000.
CHAIRMAN COWDERY noted the bill also contains $5.5 million for a
road in Sitka.
SENATOR TAYLOR said that road was supposed to have been built
already as it was funded once in the past.
SENATOR ELTON said his eyes must be getting old as he didn't see
any Juneau projects listed.
CHAIRMAN COWDERY announced that with no objection, the bill moved
from committee.
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