Legislature(2023 - 2024)BARNES 124
03/28/2023 01:00 PM House TRANSPORTATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB8 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 8 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
HB 8-ELECTRIC-ASSISTED BICYCLES
1:02:30 PM
CHAIR MCCABE announced that the only order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 8 "An Act relating to electric-assisted
bicycles."
1:03:08 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE moved to adopt the proposed committee
substitute (CS) for HB 8, Version 33-LS0196\S, Bergerud,
3/28/23, as a working document.
CHAIR MCCABE objected for the purpose of discussion.
1:03:42 PM
BUDDY WHITT, Staff, Representative Kevin McCabe, Alaska State
Legislature, explained that the proposed CS would add a new
section to HB 8, on page 1, line 1, through page 2, line 24,
amending AS 16.05.255(a), directing the Board of Game to
promulgate regulations to provide that areas closed to motor
vehicles for hunting are also closed to the use of electric-
assisted bicycles for hunting, except for residents holding a
permanent identification card issued under AS 16.05.400(b) or
disabled veterans as defined under AS 16.05.341(1) or (2).
Further, in Section 12, on page 6, line 15, the proposed CS
would add an immediate effective date for HB 8.
MR. WHITT relayed that the immediate effective date could aid
starting and existing tour companies that utilize electric bikes
("e-bikes") ahead of the tour season. He noted that the
proposed CS was brought to the Board of Game, which is not
opposed to the amendment. He pointed out that there are already
regulatory guidelines for e-bikes, so he anticipates that once
the board is finished with its review, there will be no fiscal
impact to HB 8 because promulgation of regulations has already
been done. He added that the amendment to Section 1 was from
Representative C. Johnson.
1:07:40 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SUMNER asked if the proposed CS would require a
title change for HB 8.
MR. WHITT answered that under the proposed CS title language is
added. He explained that the new additions to Section 1 did not
require a title change; however, the effective date change did.
1:08:39 PM
CHAIR MCCABE removed his objection to the motion to adopt the
proposed CS for HB 8, Version 33-LS0196\S, Bergerud, 3/28/23, as
a working document. There being no further objection, Version S
was before the committee.
1:08:59 PM
CHAIR MCCABE opened public testimony on HB 8, Version S.
1:09:15 PM
MARC GROBER, representing self, shared that he is an
administrator of the "Anchorage Bicyclists" Facebook Group. He
said that as a retiree, he spends about 10 hours a week biking
in Anchorage in the summer. He said that due to his age,
leading medical authorities consider him obese, but he regularly
travels at 18 miles per hour (MPH). He stressed that this
information is important because it seems that proponents of HB
8 live in a utopia where everyone moves slowly and focuses on
the concerns of others, but that is not the reality in Anchorage
where the coastal trail is becoming a "combat zone." He said
there are both responsible and irresponsible people on the
trails. He characterized the bill as "feel good" legislation.
He said that while the bill seeks to provide equal access to
transportation, there are technical defects with HB 8. He
pointed out that none of the technical defects were addressed
through amendments in this committee or the previous committee.
He stated that HB 8 will make roads and trails more dangerous by
legalizing devices equivalent to 50cc motorbikes, and without
even requiring a license. He informed members that an
individual must have a license to operate a 50cc motorbike,
which are arguably illegal on most state trails. He said that
HB 8 would legalize the use of electric vehicles that have 2,600
watts in power, without a driver's license and on any location
the individual wants to use them. He stated that what he
described would be the practical result of HB 8. He pointed out
that there are 1,000-watt bikes on Anchorage trails, and 2,600-
watt all-wheel e-bikes. He said the e-bikes will be a
residential hazard due to the influx of residents charging their
bikes and causing explosions. He noted he had submitted written
testimony.
1:13:35 PM
DYANI CHAPMAN, State Director, Alaska Environment, stated that
there is increasing interest in e-bikes; they are out-selling
electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids in 2021. She said that e-
bikes extend the ride range for a user, help with hills, and
increase the cargo load of the bike; these aspects allow more
people to commute by bicycle and use them more often, which
would assist in reducing air pollution through more energy
efficient uses of travel. She said regulating e-bikes as
bicycles makes it easier and safer for people to use the
technology. She shared that she spent time in cities, like
Anchorage, where e-bikes were comfortably on the same trails as
pedestrians and bicycles. She encouraged members to pass HB 8.
1:15:01 PM
CHAIR MCCABE, after ascertaining that no one else wished to
testify, closed public testimony on HB 8.
1:15:19 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ASHLEY CARRICK, Alaska State Legislature, thanked
the testifiers and noted that her office has been in
communication with Mr. Grober regarding his concerns. She said
that the Municipality of Anchorage adopted the language that is
within HB 8, so the municipality is defining e-bikes and allows
such bikes in areas where bicycles are allowed. She informed
members that within the committee packet there are support
letters from the Alaska Outdoor Alliance, the Juneau Mountain
Bike Alliance, and the Fairbanks Cycle Club. She noted previous
testimony from the Fairbanks North Star Borough's surface
transportation planning executive director. She said that HB 8
received support from People for Bikes, a national organization
that also helped the 37 other states in defining e-bikes.
1:16:43 PM
CHAIR MCCABE asked what the resistance is to HB 8. He likened
the decision to when bicycles were allowed on previously on-foot
hiking trails, in that pedestrians and bikes do not match well.
He asked if the e-bike resistance is coming from the difference
in speed.
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK answered yes and told Chair McCabe that
he had well summed up the major concerns with HB 8. She said
her intent is to allow e-bikes to have the same accessibility as
bicycles. She noted that there have been objections around the
trail conflicts on non-motorized trails, but as a trail user
herself, she said it is important that users be mindful of each
other and respect the rules of trail use. In Anchorage and
Fairbanks, for example, there are trails that are multi-use with
houseback riding, dog sledding, biking, hiking, and skiing. She
said that while there are not "legal rules" around such methods,
there are rules on how an individual should appropriately use
the trails. She stated that e-bike users are able to follow the
rules on this just the same as bicycle riders.
1:18:54 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES expressed her support for HB 8, calling it
a clarifying bill, in that it makes it easier for individuals to
use trails and for law enforcement to know what the rules are.
She stated, "Let's move it."
1:19:13 PM
REPRESENTATIVE C. JOHNSON pointed out that there was a legal
memorandum ("memo") regarding HB 8 that said the state could
"run afoul" because the bill would discriminate against disabled
non-veterans. He stated that veterans are important, and that
keeping them in Alaska and providing them with recreational
opportunities is a reason he believes veterans do stay in the
state. He said that veterans, in this instance, are being set
apart as a special class for their service to the country.
1:20:01 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SUMNER expressed that more freedom for bike
riders sounds good to him and HB 8 appears to be a reduction in
regulation; therefore, he supports the bill.
1:20:18 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MINA shared that in her district, there are a
number of bicyclists, urban cyclists, and e-bike owners. She
said it is good to have more clarity in regulating e-bikes in
Alaska.
1:20:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE moved to report CSHB 8, Version 33-
LS0196\S, Bergerud, 3/28/23, out of committee with individual
recommendations and the attached zero and forthcoming fiscal
notes. There being no objection, CSHB 8(TRA) was reported out
of the House Transportation Standing Committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| 2023.03.22.HB.Support.FCC.pdf |
HTRA 3/28/2023 1:00:00 PM SSTA 4/20/2023 3:30:00 PM |
HB 8 |
| CSHB8(TRA).Version.S.pdf |
HTRA 3/28/2023 1:00:00 PM |
HB 8 |
| HB8.Explanation of Changes.Version A to S.pdf |
HTRA 3/28/2023 1:00:00 PM |
HB 8 |