Legislature(1993 - 1994)
03/11/1993 08:00 AM House STA
| Audio | Topic |
|---|
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HB 142: ENHANCED 911 SYSTEMS Number 135 CHAIRMAN VEZEY read the title to HB 142 and asked its sponsor, Representative Ulmer, for her statement. REPRESENTATIVE FRAN ULMER, PRIME SPONSOR OF HB 142, explained how 911 systems would be improved through a voluntary community wide phone tariff. She deferred to two Alaska fire fighters to provide the committee with more details about the system. CHAIRMAN VEZEY called for a five minute at ease at 8:55 a.m. Number 165 CHAIRMAN VEZEY called the committee back to order at 9:00 a.m. and began taking public testimony. Number 167 JOHN GEORGE, LOBBYIST, ALASKA STATE FIRE FIGHTERS ASSOCIATION AND ALASKA STATE FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION, explained that both groups supported the concept of HB 142, primarily because it provided a funding mechanism that had been lacking in the past. He also noted how enhanced 911 systems could become potential lifesavers for people incapacitated by either injury, sickness or in a fire. He also noted HB 142 probably needed amending, but did not specify how. Number 204 CHAIRMAN VEZEY asked Mr. George if the 50 cents per phone line charge constituted a tariff, and if the association could support such a tariff. Number 206 MR. GEORGE stated he recognized the charges as a tariff and supported it. Number 211 CHAIRMAN VEZEY asked if 50 cents per line would be adequate. Number 217 MR. GEORGE explained how all monies collected would be dedicated to the system. He found the figure acceptable. REPRESENTATIVE ULMER was open to amending HB 142. Number 278 LARRY FANNING, CHIEF OF CAPITOL CITY FIRE/RESCUE, testified in favor of increasing the amount to fund more sophisticated 911 reporting equipment. He asserted crews could respond more effectively with such equipment, and suggested an amendment to effect the change. Number 309 REPRESENTATIVE OLBERG offered to serve on a subcommittee to investigate the differences and similarities of HB 142 and HB 166. Number 314 REPRESENTATIVE ULMER asked how many calls were generated in Juneau or in the state annually. MR. FANNING stated Juneau police received about 20,000 calls each year, but the system only provided dispatchers with the number the call came from and not the address, a feature he advocated to save time. Number 355 REPRESENTATIVE ULMER asked the amount needed to construct such a system. MR. FANNING stated it would cost $2.3 million in equipment alone, with no personnel costs factored in. Number 365 REPRESENTATIVE KOTT asked committee members if such a tariff constituted a dedicated fund. Number 370 REPRESENTATIVE ULMER explained at length why a fund such as this would be a tariff, but because the legislature would re-appropriate the fund every year, it did not constitute a dedicated fund. Number 417 REPRESENTATIVE KOTT asked if the 50 cent line charge would apply to businesses on every extension they owned. REPRESENTATIVE ULMER explained the charge would apply only to the first 100 lines owned. ADJOURNMENT Number 451 CHAIRMAN VEZEY adjourned the meeting at 9:18 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|