03/07/2023 01:30 PM Senate TRANSPORTATION

               SB  62-ELECTRIC-ASSISTED BICYCLES                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
1:32:35 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR KAUFMAN announced  the consideration of SENATE  BILL NO. 62                                                               
"An Act relating to electric-assisted bicycles."                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR WILSON  moved to adopt the  proposed committee substitute                                                               
(CS) for SB 62, work order 33-LS0424/B, as the working document.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR KAUFMAN objected for the purpose of discussion.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR KAUFMAN asked his staff to  present a summary of changes in                                                               
the CS.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Emma   Torkelson,   staff,    Senator   Kaufman,   Alaska   State                                                               
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska reviewed the changes.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
                             SB 62                                                                                              
               Summary of Changes Version A to B                                                                                
            "An act relating to electric bicycles."                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
     Page 5, line 4:                                                                                                          
     Conforming changes: Delete "a new section" and insert                                                                      
     "new sections."                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     Page 5, following line 4:                                                                                                
     Inserts a new section which clarifies that DNR may set                                                                     
     standards for non-electric assisted bicycles and each                                                                      
     class of electric-assisted bicycles on land managed by                                                                     
     the department. Section three includes this authority                                                                      
     for the Department of Public Safety and                                                                                    
     municipalities.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
1:34:12 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR  KAUFMAN  removed his  objection.  There  being no  further                                                               
objection, version B was adopted.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR KIEHL  spoke about  the changes in  the CS.  He explained                                                               
that   the  Department   of  Natural   Resources  may   establish                                                               
regulations governing each class  of electric-assisted bicycle on                                                               
land in  their management.  He did not  expect the  department to                                                               
utilize the  option frequently,  but in  urban areas,  the public                                                               
and department  might choose to  limit Class  3 electric-assisted                                                               
bicycles to certain trails.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
1:35:26 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR  KAUFMAN asked  the  bill sponsor  for  comments about  the                                                               
committee substitute.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR  SCOTT KAWASAKI,  District P,  Alaska State  Legislature,                                                               
Juneau, Alaska, sponsor of SB 62,  replied that he had no further                                                               
comments or questions.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:35:51 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR KAUFMAN  opened public  testimony on  CSSB 62  (TRA). After                                                               
ascertaining  that  no  one  in  the room  or  online  wished  to                                                               
testify, he closed public testimony.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
1:37:09 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR WILSON  moved to report  the committee substitute  for SB
,  work  order  33-LS0424/B,  from  committee  with  individual                                                               
recommendations and attached zero fiscal notes.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR KAUFMAN  found no objection  and CSSB 62(TRA)  was reported                                                               
from the Senate Transportation Standing Committee.