Legislature(2021 - 2022)GRUENBERG 120
03/01/2022 01:00 PM House MILITARY & VETERANS' AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HJR35 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HJR 35 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS
March 1, 2022
1:05 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Chris Tuck, Chair
Representative Andi Story
Representative Geran Tarr
Representative Matt Claman
Representative George Rauscher
Representative David Nelson
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Laddie Shaw
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 35
Supporting the completion of the Northern Rail Extension;
supporting the increase in defensive capabilities at Fort
Greely, Alaska; and encouraging the development of critical
Arctic infrastructure.
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HJR 35
SHORT TITLE: NORTHERN RAIL EXTENSION
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) CRONK
02/22/22 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/22/22 (H) MLV, TRA
03/01/22 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE MIKE CRONK
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, presented HJR 35.
SUE STANCLIFF, Staff
Representative Mike Cronk
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on
HJR 35 on behalf of Representative Cronk, prime sponsor.
DAVE TALERICO, representing self
Healy, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HJR 35.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:05:06 PM
CHAIR CHRIS TUCK called the House Special Committee on Military
and Veterans' Affairs meeting to order at 1:05 p.m.
Representatives Story, Nelson, Tarr, and Tuck were present at
the call to order. Representatives Rauscher and Claman arrived
as the meeting was in progress.
HJR 35-NORTHERN RAIL EXTENSION
1:06:00 PM
CHAIR TUCK announced that the only order of business would be
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 35, Supporting the completion of the
Northern Rail Extension; supporting the increase in defensive
capabilities at Fort Greely, Alaska; and encouraging the
development of critical Arctic infrastructure.
1:06:27 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 1:06 p.m. to 1:08 p.m.
1:08:44 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MIKE CRONK, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor, presented HJR 35. He said that HJR 35 is a statement
in support of completing the Northern Rail extension, because
the project would help military operations, mining, and
agriculture in Alaska's Interior.
1:10:49 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked about funding for the project and
responsibility for maintenance.
1:11:11 PM
SUE STANCLIFF, Staff, Representative Mike Cronk, Alaska State
Legislature, answered that Tim Sullivan of the Alaska Railroad
Corporation informed her that the estimated cost to complete 81
miles in 2013 was $850 million, and that the current estimate is
$1-1.6 billion. Funding for the first phase came from the
Department of Defense at $104 million and the State of Alaska at
$84 million. Future funding for the project had not been
determined. In response to a follow up question, she clarified
that maintenance was the responsibility of the state of Alaska
and the Alaska Railroad Corporation.
1:13:30 PM
CHAIR TUCK opened public testimony on HJR 35.
1:13:50 PM
DAVE TALERICO, representing self, gave a brief history of the
Alaska Railroad project, including the funding Congress gave it
in 1914 for the transport of certain goods and military
equipment from Alaska's harbors to the Interior. He stated his
belief that the U.S. Government originally intended to fully
fund the Alaskan Railroad, but it was never fully completed, and
that finishing the Northern Rail Extension was critical for
Alaskan self-sustainability. He stated that it would make sense
for the federal government to help with the funding because of
the path it would take through federal lands and the potential
national security implications of nearby Fort Greely.
1:18:10 PM
CHAIR TUCK asked about mining in the Tetlin area.
REPRESENTATIVE CRONK answered that it would be much quicker and
easier to truck the ore to Delta Junction than to Fairbanks, and
that building the railroad would potentially open other mining
opportunities.
1:20:08 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TARR asked if the project would be a necessary
component of another project to connect Alaska to the lower 48
through Alberta, Canada.
REPRESENTATIVE CRONK replied that it would.
CHAIR TUCK commented that such a railroad would alleviate some
of the issues with trucking during the winter, and that
maintaining rails is easier than maintaining highways.
1:21:31 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked if it would be possible for the
Alaska Railroad Corporation to apply for infrastructure grant
money previously mentioned by United States Senator Lisa
Murkowski.
1:22:10 PM
MS. STANCLIFF answered that she believes it is possible, but is
not certain.
1:22:50 PM
The committee took a brief at-ease at 1:22 p.m.
1:22:58 PM
CHAIR TUCK closed public testimony on HJR 35.
[HJR 35 was held over.]
1:23:57 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs meeting was
adjourned at 1:24 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HJR 35 Hearing Request 02.23.2022.pdf |
HMLV 3/1/2022 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 35 |
| HJR 35 Version B 02.25.2022.PDF |
HMLV 3/1/2022 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 35 |
| HJR 35 Sponsor Statement 02.23.22.pdf |
HMLV 3/1/2022 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 35 |
| HJR 35 Fiscal Note 02.25.2022.pdf |
HMLV 3/1/2022 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 35 |