Legislature(2001 - 2002)
04/02/2002 01:07 PM House TRA
| Audio | Topic |
|---|
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
April 2, 2002
1:07 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Vic Kohring, Chair
Representative Beverly Masek, Vice Chair
Representative Drew Scalzi
Representative Peggy Wilson
Representative Mary Kapsner
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Scott Ogan
Representative Albert Kookesh
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 507
"An Act naming the Trooper Roelle Memorial Weigh Station and the
Officer Wollam Memorial Bike Trail; and providing for an
effective date."
- MOVED CSHB 507(TRA) OUT OF COMMITTEE
OVERVIEW: PARKS HIGHWAY CORRIDOR STUDY
HOUSE BILL NO. 510
"An Act relating to the regulation of commercial motor vehicles
to avoid loss or withholding of federal highway money, and to
out-of-service orders concerning commercial motor vehicles;
amending Rule 43.1, Alaska Rules of Administration; and
providing for an effective date."
- MOVED HB 510 OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS ACTION
BILL: HB 507
SHORT TITLE:NAMING WEIGH STATION AND BIKE TRAIL
SPONSOR(S): RLS
Jrn-Date Jrn-Page Action
03/19/02 2603 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME -
REFERRALS
03/19/02 2603 (H) TRA
03/28/02 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 17
03/28/02 (H) -- Meeting Canceled --
04/02/02 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 17
BILL: HB 510
SHORT TITLE:COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLES:REGULATIONS
SPONSOR(S): TRANSPORTATION
Jrn-Date Jrn-Page Action
03/22/02 2644 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME -
REFERRALS
03/22/02 2644 (H) TRA, JUD
03/28/02 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 17
03/28/02 (H) -- Meeting Canceled --
04/02/02 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 17
WITNESS REGISTER
JUDY OHMER, Staff
to Representative Pete Kott
Alaska State Legislature
Capitol Building, Room 204
Juneau, Alaska 99801
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented the sponsor statement to HB 507
on behalf of Representative Kott, chair of the House Rules
Standing Committee, sponsor of the legislation.
DENNIS POSHARD, Legislative Liaison
Office of the Commissioner
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
3132 Channel Drive
Juneau, Alaska 99801-7898
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave the department's support to HB 507;
asked that HB 510 be forwarded on behalf of the department.
FRANK DILLON
Alaska Trucking Association
3443 Minnesota Drive
Anchorage, Alaska 99503
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 507 and HB 510.
BRAD BROWN
Do Right Trucking
2200 Shore Drive
Anchorage, Alaska 99515
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 507.
JENNIFER WILSON, Regional Planning Manager
Central Region Planning
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
P.O. Box 196900
Anchorage, Alaska 99519-6900
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented overview on the Parks Highway
Corridor Study and answered questions.
JOHN TOLLEY, Chief
Planning & Administrative Services
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
P.O. Box 196900, Mail Stop 2525
Anchorage, Alaska 99519-6900
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered question during the overview on
the Parks Highway Corridor Study.
DAN SENTZ
(No address provided)
Wasilla, Alaska 99687
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the overview on the Parks
Highway Corridor Study.
AVES THOMPSON, Director
Division of Measurement Standards & Commercial Vehicle
Enforcement
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
12050 Industry Way
Anchorage, Alaska 99515-3512
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 510 and testified in support
of the legislation.
BARBARA HUFF TUCKNESS, Director
Legislative and Governmental Affairs
Teamsters Local 959
520 East 34th
Anchorage, Alaska 99503
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in favor of HB 510.
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 02-10, SIDE A
Number 0001
CHAIR VIC KOHRING called the House Transportation Standing
Committee meeting to order at 1:07 p.m. Members present at the
call to order were Representatives Kohring, Scalzi, Masek, and
Kapsner. Representative Wilson joined the meeting as it was in
progress.
HB 507-NAMING WEIGH STATION AND BIKE TRAIL
CHAIR KOHRING announced that the first matter before the
committee would be HOUSE BILL NO. 507, "An Act naming the
Trooper Roelle Memorial Weigh Station and the Officer Wollam
Memorial Bike Trail; and providing for an effective date."
Number 0185
JUDY OHMER, Staff to Representative Pete Kott, Alaska State
Legislature, presented HB 507 on behalf of Representative Kott,
chair of the House Rules Standing Committee, which had sponsored
the legislation. She said HB 507 is a commemorative bill that
honors some of Alaska's fallen heroes who gave their lives in
the service of others. The bill names the northbound weigh
station at mile 10.6 of the Glenn Highway after Trooper Hans-
Peter Lothar Roelle, and names the Glenn Highway Bike Trail
after Officer [Justin Todd] Wollam.
MS. OHMER said Trooper Roelle is remembered for his dedication
to his work and devotion to his family. Two of the letters in
the bill packet are from his children, conveying memories of
him. She also told of the love and support expressed by his co-
workers and neighbors. Ms. Ohmer quoted from one of the
letters, "Hans' commitment led him to pay the ultimate price of
giving his life for the sake of others. This is truly an
example of unquestionable love of mankind and heroism."
MS. OHMER told of the large number of not just patrol cars, but
also 18-wheel trucks at Trooper Roelle's funeral. She called
him a model of bravery and a hero in both life and death. She
said his children want all the people who drive by the Glenn
Highway Weigh Station to remember their father.
Number 0390
MS. OHMER informed members that Officer [Justin] Todd Wollam is
remembered for his outstanding service to the community and his
love of family. He'd quickly earned the admiration of his
fellow officers with his enthusiasm for law enforcement and his
special way with people. She said Officer Wollam was killed in
the line of duty, making the ultimate sacrifice.
MS. OHMER told of a sign at a recent memorial service that read:
"Not all heroes live in New York." She said HB 507 provides a
fitting tribute to these great Alaskans and acknowledges the
continuing appreciation of the state, and a visual remembrance.
Acknowledging these officers reaffirms the values of the
community and country, and is responding to what another trooper
called "the better angels of our nature."
Number 0465
CHAIR KOHRING noted that [their deaths were] a great loss to the
communities of Anchorage and the Mat-Su area, and that he
considered both officers heroes. He said HB 507 would provide a
fitting tribute.
Number 0490
DENNIS POSHARD, Legislative Liaison, Office of the Commissioner,
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, testified
before the committee. He told the committee the department had
no objection to the bill and said it had worked with the area
police and trooper associations to erect signage in the area.
He said the bike path to be renamed would be rebuilt in 2003. A
plaque would be placed at an appropriate pull-off.
Number 0610
MS. OHMER asked if the committee would want to add the full name
of Officer Wollam to the bill. It would be changed to "Officer
[Justin] Todd Wollam".
CHAIR KOHRING said he thought it would be prudent to put both
full names in the bill for the sake of consistency.
Number 0638
CHAIR KOHRING offered the foregoing as a conceptual amendment.
There being no objection, [conceptual Amendment 1] was adopted.
Number 0657
REPRESENTATIVE MASEK offered [Amendment 2, 22-LS1601\A.1,
Chenoweth, 4/2/02], which read:
Page 1, line 1, following "Station":
Delete "and"
Insert ","
Page 1, line 2, following "Trail":
Insert ", and the Joseph L. Perkins Bridge"
Page 1, following line 9:
Insert new material to read:
"Sec. 35.40.160. Joseph L. Perkins Bridge. The
bridge at mile 56.5 of the Seward Highway, popularly
known as the Canyon Creek Bridge, is named the Joseph
L. Perkins Bridge."
REPRESENTATIVE MASEK explained that it is a fitting amendment
because Commissioner Perkins [of the Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities] has done a great job
statewide for the transportation system. She said Alaskans
could take pride in seeing the bridge named after Commissioner
Perkins.
Number 0831
CHAIR KOHRING asked whether there was any objection. There
being no objection, [Amendment 2] was adopted.
Number 0841
REPRESENTATIVE MASEK moved to report HB 507, as amended, out of
committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying
fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHB 507(TRA) was moved
out of the House Transportation Standing Committee.
CHAIR KOHRING returned the committee's attention to testimony on
the bill.
Number 0882
FRANK DILLON, Alaska Trucking Association, testified via
teleconference. He said the trucking industry is pleased to see
recognition of Trooper Roelle and Commissioner Perkins.
Number 0918
BRAD BROWN, Do Right Trucking, testified via teleconference. He
said the industry and the law-enforcement community appreciate
the recognition for Officers Wollam and Roelle. [CSHB 507(TRA)
was moved out of committee.]
OVERVIEW: PARKS HIGHWAY CORRIDOR STUDY
Number 0970
CHAIR KOHRING announced that the next matter before the
committee would be an overview on the Parks Highway Corridor
Study.
Number 1026
JENNIFER WILSON, Regional Planning Manager, Central Region
Planning, Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
(DOT&PF), testified via teleconference. She told the committee
of the department's role in providing a corridor plan in
partnership with industry. She said the department is
developing a long-range vision for the Parks Highway that would
include a four-lane, divided freeway with controlled access and
interchanges at major connections. The department is focusing
on "mid-term" improvements needed over the next 30 years. Ms.
Wilson told about a 35-member "corridor advisory group" made up
of various interests in the public and private sector. She also
informed the committee of a draft scoping document that is a
vision for the mid-term future of the Parks Highway's needs.
She mentioned a few specific projects.
Number 1223
MS. WILSON told the committee that research has revealed the
difficulty in using federal highway money to purchase the right-
of-way in advance of a project. She noted that there are other
options for advanced purchase such as state or local funding.
Number 1323
CHAIR KOHRING asked about controlled access and whether DOT&PF
would accommodate communities on the road.
Number 1368
JOHN TOLLEY, Chief, Planning & Administrative Services,
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, testified via
teleconference. He answered by saying there must be a balanced
approach with a variety of applications in each case. He said
limited access would be far in the future, but should be
considered.
CHAIR KOHRING reminded Mr. Tolley that reasonable access must be
provided for towns like Wasilla so that businesses are not
harmed.
Number 1575
DAN SENTZ testified via teleconference. Noting that he had
property on the Parks Highway, he expressed concern about "a
resistance to use the areas that are good" for access to the
highway. He asked if areas that have had highway upgrades could
be granted highway access.
MS. WILSON answered by giving list of methods that could be used
to protect transportation needs within a corridor. High-volume
corridors are routinely limited in the number of access points.
She told Mr. Sentz that the department is looking forward to
2030. Ms. Wilson spoke of the need for close coordination
between state and local governments in order to make access less
problematic.
MR. SENTZ asked a rhetorical question about plat notes and
zoning. He said his property was being held hostage and
mentioned outdated plat notes.
CHAIR KOHRING concluded by saying he would like to make DOT&PF
aware of businesses and property owners along the highway, and
to have it be reasonable in allowance of access relating to
property, businesses, and the highway.
HB 510-COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLES:REGULATIONS
Number 1933
CHAIR KOHRING announced the final matter before the committee,
HOUSE BILL NO. 510, "An Act relating to the regulation of
commercial motor vehicles to avoid loss or withholding of
federal highway money, and to out-of-service orders concerning
commercial motor vehicles; amending Rule 43.1, Alaska Rules of
Administration; and providing for an effective date."
Number 1948
DENNIS POSHARD, Legislative Liaison, Office of the Commissioner,
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF),
testified before the committee. He said he would yield
testimony to Aves Thompson, who had brought the legislation to
the commissioner's attention. He asked that the bill be
forwarded on behalf of the department.
Number 1994
AVES THOMPSON, Director, Division of Measurement Standards &
Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, Department of Transportation &
Public Facilities, gave a summary of what his division does. He
said HB 510 completes the consolidation of "the truck size,
weight, safety, and permitting regulatory program" that was
started with Executive Order 98. He said the authority to
promulgate regulations for driver/vehicle safety requirements
and hazardous-materials transport was not transferred and
currently resides in the Department of Public Safety (DPS).
Therefore, HB 510 transfers that authority to DOT&PF, and also
transfers the authority to conduct commercial-motor-vehicle
safety inspections from DPS to DOT&PF. Furthermore, it
transfers the size, weight, and permit regulations from the
Department of Commerce and Economic Development to DOT&PF.
Number 2100
MR. THOMPSON said federal law requires that state motor-vehicle
safety regulations be no less stringent than federal law or
regulation. If they are found to be less stringent, they are
preempted [by federal law]. He said Alaska has avoided that
result by referencing the federal motor-carrier safety
regulations. He told the committee that hazardous-materials
transport regulations follow a similar pattern. Alaska has not
received any formal sanctions for its outdated driver/vehicle
and hazardous-materials transport regulations. The current
state regulations reference federal regulations as they existed
in 1995. Mr. Thompson said there are new regulations prepared
and ready to go as soon as the legislation becomes effective.
Number 2161
MR. THOMPSON summarized by saying that passage of HB 510
completes the transfer of the regulatory authority over
commercial motor vehicles to DOT&PF. It is in the best interest
of the state and the trucking industry for the transfer to
occur, because those responsible for the adoption of the
regulations will also be enforcing the standards. He concluded,
"With the changes in HB 510, the trucking industry can realize
the objective of 'one-stop shopping' in terms of commercial
vehicle operations." He urged the committee to support the
bill.
Number 2195
FRANK DILLON, Alaska Trucking Association, testified via
teleconference. He agreed that the bill completes the process
started by Executive Order 98. He said [the trucking industry]
is currently following federal hazardous-materials transport
regulations, but the bill allows [DOT&PF] to bring its
regulations up to date. He characterized it as an extremely
good bill and urged its passage.
Number 2239
BARBARA HUFF TUCKNESS, Director, Legislative and Governmental
Affairs, Teamsters Local 959, testified before the committee.
She said the bill ties together some loopholes [left over from
Executive Order 98]. She voiced strong support for the bill and
the fact that it would put all the functions under the purview
of one department.
Number 2278
CHAIR KOHRING asked Mr. Thompson what means DOT&PF has to
enforce the regulations concerning personnel and so forth.
MR. THOMPSON answered by saying the department has 30
commercial-vehicle-enforcement officers throughout the state who
enforce driver/vehicle safety regulations as well as hazardous-
materials regulations. He reiterated that the enforcement
authority was left behind in DPS by Executive Order 98. This
bill would give DOT&PF the authority to promulgate the
regulations that its officers enforce.
Number 2365
REPRESENTATIVE WILSON moved to report HB 510 from committee with
individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes.
There being no objection, HB 510 was moved out of the House
Transportation Standing Committee.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Transportation Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 1:54
p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|