Legislature(2023 - 2024)BARNES 124

02/27/2024 01:30 PM House TRANSPORTATION

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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
-- Please Note Time Change --
*+ HB 122 RAILROAD CORP. FINANCING TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
-- Testimony <Invitation Only> --
*+ HJR 19 NORTHERN RAIL EXTENSION TELECONFERENCED
Moved HJR 19 Out of Committee
-- Invited & Public Testimony --
+ Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled TELECONFERENCED
**Streamed live on AKL.tv**
                    ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                                                                  
            HOUSE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE                                                                           
                       February 27, 2024                                                                                        
                           1:35 p.m.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
                             DRAFT                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS PRESENT                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Representative Kevin McCabe, Chair                                                                                              
Representative Sarah Vance, Vice Chair                                                                                          
Representative Tom McKay                                                                                                        
Representative Craig Johnson                                                                                                    
Representative Jesse Sumner                                                                                                     
Representative Louise Stutes                                                                                                    
Representative Genevieve Mina                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS ABSENT                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
All members present                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
COMMITTEE CALENDAR                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 19                                                                                                   
Supporting the  completion of the  Port MacKenzie  Rail Extension                                                               
and  the  Northern Rail  Extension;  supporting  the increase  in                                                               
defensive  capabilities at  Fort  Greely,  Alaska; encouraging  a                                                               
renewed commitment  by the Alaska Railroad  to a community-minded                                                               
approach   to  future   rail  expansion;   and  encouraging   the                                                               
development of critical Arctic infrastructure.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     - MOVED HJR 19 OUT OF COMMITTEE                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE BILL NO. 122                                                                                                              
"An  Act authorizing  the Alaska  Railroad  Corporation to  issue                                                               
revenue bonds to  finance the replacement of  the Alaska Railroad                                                               
Corporation's  passenger dock  and related  terminal facility  in                                                               
Seward, Alaska; and providing for an effective date."                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD & HELD                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
BILL: HJR 19                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: NORTHERN RAIL EXTENSION                                                                                            
SPONSOR(s): TRANSPORTATION                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
02/14/24       (H)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
02/14/24       (H)       TRA, MLV                                                                                               
02/22/24       (H)       TRA AT 1:30 PM BARNES 124                                                                              
02/22/24       (H)       -- MEETING CANCELED --                                                                                 
02/27/24       (H)       TRA AT 1:30 PM BARNES 124                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
BILL: HB 122                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: RAILROAD CORP. FINANCING                                                                                           
SPONSOR(s): TOMASZEWSKI                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
03/17/23       (H)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
03/17/23       (H)       TRA, FIN                                                                                               
02/20/24       (H)       TRA AT 1:30 PM BARNES 124                                                                              
02/20/24       (H)       -- MEETING CANCELED --                                                                                 
02/27/24       (H)       TRA AT 1:30 PM BARNES 124                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
WITNESS REGISTER                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
JULIE MORRIS, Staff                                                                                                             
Representative Kevin McCabe                                                                                                     
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  Introduced HJR 19 on behalf of                                                                           
Representative Kevin McCabe, prime sponsor.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
LIEUTENANT GENERAL DAVID KRUMM, Retired                                                                                         
Big Lake, Alaska                                                                                                                
POSITION STATEMENT:  Gave invited testimony in support of HJR
19.                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
BILL O'LEARY, President & CEO                                                                                                   
The Alaska Railroad Corporation                                                                                                 
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT:  Gave invited testimony in support of HJR
19; gave a PowerPoint titled "Seward Passenger Dock & Terminal                                                                  
Replacement Project" during the hearing on HB 122.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
MEGHAN CLEMENS, Director of External Affairs                                                                                    
Alaska Railroad Corporation                                                                                                     
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT:  Gave invited testimony in support of HJR
19.                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE FRANK TOMASZEWSKI                                                                                                
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  As prime sponsor, introduced HB 122.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
ZACK YOUNG, Staff                                                                                                               
Representative Frank Tomaszewski                                                                                                
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:   Gave the sectional analysis for  HB 122, on                                                             
behalf of Representative Frank Tomaszewski, prime sponsor.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
PRESTON CARNAHAN, Regional Vice President of Destinations                                                                       
Royal Caribbean Group                                                                                                           
Seattle, Washington                                                                                                             
POSITION  STATEMENT:   Gave invited  testimony in  support of  HB
122.                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
KATHLEEN SORENSEN, City Manager                                                                                                 
City of Seward                                                                                                                  
Seward, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  Answered questions  during the hearing on HB
122.                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
BRIAN LINDAMOOD, Vice President Engineering                                                                                     
Alaska Railroad Corporation                                                                                                     
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT:  Answered questions  during the hearing on HB
122.                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
ACTION NARRATIVE                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
1:35:58 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  KEVIN  MCCABE  called the  House  Transportation  Standing                                                             
Committee  meeting to  order  at 1:35  p.m.   Representatives  C.                                                               
Johnson, McKay, Vance,  Stutes, Mina, and McCabe  were present at                                                               
the call to order.   Representative Sumner arrived as the meeting                                                               
was in progress.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                 HJR 19-NORTHERN RAIL EXTENSION                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1:37:49 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR MCCABE announced that the  first order of business would be                                                               
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION  NO. 19, Supporting the  completion of the                                                               
Port MacKenzie  Rail Extension and  the Northern  Rail Extension;                                                               
supporting  the  increase  in   defensive  capabilities  at  Fort                                                               
Greely, Alaska;  encouraging a renewed  commitment by  the Alaska                                                               
Railroad   to  a   community-minded  approach   to  future   rail                                                               
expansion; and encouraging the development of critical Arctic                                                                   
infrastructure.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
1:38:12 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
JULIE MORRIS, Staff, Representative  Kevin McCabe, introduced HJR
19  on  behalf  of  Representative  McCabe,  prime  sponsor,  and                                                               
paraphrased  the sponsor  statement  [included  in the  committee                                                               
packet], which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
     This  resolution advocates  for completing  two pivotal                                                                    
     rail extensions, the Port  MacKenzie Rail Extension and                                                                    
     the   Northern  Rail   Extension,  alongside   critical                                                                    
     initiatives to  fortify our state's  infrastructure and                                                                    
     defense  capabilities. Alaska's  strategic position  as                                                                    
     the sole  state bordering  the Arctic  Ocean highlights                                                                    
     the significance  of these endeavors,  especially given                                                                    
     recent  expansions in  defense  infrastructure at  Fort                                                                    
     Greely.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
     The  Alaska  Railroad  Transfer   Act  (ARTA)  of  1983                                                                    
     reaffirmed  Congress's  recognition of  the  railroad's                                                                    
     importance  in  providing  freight and  passenger  rail                                                                    
     service  to   Alaska.  Recognizing  the   necessity  of                                                                    
     continued  services  and  expansion  to  meet  federal,                                                                    
     state,  and  private  objectives, Congress  deemed  the                                                                    
     state's  continued  operation   and  expansion  of  the                                                                    
     railroad a fitting public use of the rail system.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     The  completion  of  Phase   1  of  the  Northern  Rail                                                                    
     Extension  project,   including  crossing   the  Tanana                                                                    
     River,  represents  a significant  milestone,  bringing                                                                    
     the rail  line within  70 miles  of Delta  Junction and                                                                    
     Fort Greely. This  progress demonstrates our commitment                                                                    
     to realizing the full  potential of rail transportation                                                                    
     in  Alaska   and  lays   the  foundation   for  further                                                                    
     expansion and connectivity.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     With the United States  Department of Defense expanding                                                                    
     the  anti-ballistic  missile  facility and  the  United                                                                    
     States  Army developing  new  training  range areas  to                                                                    
     support  the Stryker  Brigade,  ensuring seamless  rail                                                                    
     connectivity   is   crucial  to   sustaining   military                                                                    
     operations  effectively.  Notably,  the  lack  of  rail                                                                    
     access  at  Fort  Greely, the  only  military  base  in                                                                    
     Alaska  without it,  underscores  the  urgency of  this                                                                    
     resolution.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     Moreover,  commendable   progress  by   the  Matanuska-                                                                    
     Susitna Borough  and the Alaska Railroad  in completing                                                                    
     nearly two-thirds of the  Port MacKenzie Rail Extension                                                                    
     is essential. This  extension will substantially reduce                                                                    
     energy and  transportation costs, improve  air quality,                                                                    
     and  facilitate   efficient  movement  of   goods  from                                                                    
     tidewater to and across Interior Alaska.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
     Furthermore, the extension of  the Alaska Railroad from                                                                    
     Port  MacKenzie to  Houston, Delta  Junction, and  Fort                                                                    
     Greely  aligns  with  long-term  objectives,  promoting                                                                    
     economic   integration  and   enhancing  transportation                                                                    
     networks. These  extensions offer  significant economic                                                                    
     and  resource  development benefits,  particularly  for                                                                    
     mining  operations in  Delta  Junction  and Tetlin,  as                                                                    
     well  as   the  agricultural  industry  in   the  Delta                                                                    
     Junction area.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
     In   conclusion,   this  resolution   underscores   our                                                                    
     commitment    to   fostering    economic   development,                                                                    
     enhancing  defense readiness,  and promoting  community                                                                    
     engagement   in    critical   infrastructure   projects                                                                    
     essential   to   Alaska's  long-term   prosperity   and                                                                    
     security.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     Your   support   for   this   resolution   is   greatly                                                                    
     appreciated.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
1:40:10 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  MCCABE reminded  the committee  that  this resolution  was                                                               
just about  the same as the  resolution passed last year  and the                                                               
year before, and  resolutions are only good for a  year.  He said                                                               
there  would be  a dignitary  coming for  a tour  of the  Port of                                                               
MacKenzie and he hoped to bring the resolution then.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
1:41:04 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES asked for confirmation that it is strictly                                                                
for the rail extension, not the port.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR MCCABE confirmed that was correct.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
1:41:34 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  MINA  asked  what   the  projected  cost  was  to                                                               
complete the remaining 70 miles of the Northern Rail Extension.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR MCCABE  responded that last  year's cost was north  of $1.2                                                               
billion, and  Port MacKenzie may  be close  to $250 million.   He                                                               
stated that the tentative plan is to do it in three years.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
1:42:23 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE stated that she  hoped for the resolution to                                                               
"stand firm on its own" and  that the intent is much broader than                                                               
just defense.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  MCCABE replied  that  it could  be  discussed further  and                                                               
there could be a possibility for amendments.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
1:43:53 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE C.  JOHNSON asked  Chair McCabe who  the dignitary                                                               
was.                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  MCCABE said  he  could not  confirm a  name  yet, but  the                                                               
person is part of an  exercise along with approximately 28 others                                                               
that have been invited to give a presentation.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  C.   JOHNSON  noted   there  could  be   an  easy                                                               
conceptual amendment if needed.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
1:45:17 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE MINA asked  whether there have been  any follow up                                                               
conversations   with   the   state's   congressional   delegation                                                               
regarding the resolution and federal funding opportunities.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  MCCABE  confirmed there  had  been  conversations and,  in                                                               
addition,  that he  was  looking  for any  way  to find  funding,                                                               
matching funding, and interested parties.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
1:46:34 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR MCCABE  provided a biography for  Lieutenant General Krumm,                                                               
who would speak as an invited testifier.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
1:48:10 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
LIEUTENANT GENERAL  DAVID KRUMM, Retired, gave  invited testimony                                                               
in  support  of  HJR  19.    He  thanked  Chair  McCabe  for  the                                                               
introduction  and stated  that he  was  honored to  speak to  the                                                               
resolution today.   He  said although the  views he  will express                                                               
are his  own and not  necessarily the U.S. Department  of Defense                                                               
(DOD), they are  informed by his time as a  commander.  He opined                                                               
that timing could not be  better to discuss the extension because                                                               
the  U.S. needs  the  infrastructure to  expand  its economy  and                                                               
better our  capabilities for crisis.   Having extra  rail options                                                               
would  be  a  substantial  improvement,   he  said,  and  heavier                                                               
transport lends itself to the use  of railways rather than air or                                                               
road.    He offered  his  belief  that  the Port  MacKenzie  Rail                                                               
Extension would be a welcome addition for many uses.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
1:52:27 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
BILL O'LEARY, President & CEO,  Alaska Railroad Corporation, gave                                                               
invited  testimony in  support of  HJR 19.   He  stated that  the                                                               
Alaska  Railroad Corporation  (ARRC) is  in full  support of  the                                                               
rail extension,  and he  opined it  would fit  beautifully within                                                               
the railroad's economic development.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
1:54:32 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MEGHAN  CLEMENS, Director  of External  Affairs, Alaska  Railroad                                                               
Corporation, gave  invited testimony in  support of HJR 19.   She                                                               
mirrored  comments  made  by  Mr. O'Leary  and  added  that  ARRC                                                               
embraced  this   approach  to   economic  development,   and  the                                                               
community  involved  approach  is  one that  works  well  and  is                                                               
necessary when looking at large  projects, she said.  In relation                                                               
to both  Port MacKenzie  and Northern  Rail Extensions,  she said                                                               
there had been significant outreach  to different stakeholders to                                                               
put  together a  coalition  to move  these  projects forward  and                                                               
benefit the  state.  She further  mentioned bonding opportunities                                                               
that could be useful, as  projects may advance in that direction.                                                               
She  said ARRC  had  a  proven track  record  for managing  large                                                               
projects successfully,  which is  an important  role that  can be                                                               
provided.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
1:59:13 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR MCCABE invited questions from committee members.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:59:29 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
The committee took an at-ease from 1:59 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:00:57 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  VANCE moved  to report  HJR 19  out of  committee                                                               
with  individual  recommendations  and  the  accompanying  fiscal                                                               
notes.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
2:01:14 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR MCCABE objected for the purpose of discussion.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
2:01:21 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE SUMNER stated he supported the resolution.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:01:27 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  MCCABE removed  his  objection.   There  being no  further                                                               
objection, HJR  19 was reported  out of the  House Transportation                                                               
Standing Committee.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
2:01:52 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
The committee took an at-ease from 2:01 p.m. to 2:05 p.m.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
                 HB 122-RAILROAD CORP. FINANCING                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
2:05:04 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR MCCABE announced that the  final order of business would be                                                               
HOUSE  BILL NO.  122,  "An Act  authorizing  the Alaska  Railroad                                                               
Corporation to issue revenue bonds  to finance the replacement of                                                               
the  Alaska Railroad  Corporation's  passenger  dock and  related                                                               
terminal  facility  in  Seward,  Alaska;  and  providing  for  an                                                               
effective date."                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
2:05:20 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  FRANK TOMASZEWSKI,  Alaska State  Legislature, as                                                               
prime  sponsor,  presented  HB  122.    He  offered  the  sponsor                                                               
statement  [included  in the  committee  packet],  which read  as                                                               
follows [original punctuation provided]:                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
     The purpose of HB 122  is to enable the Alaska Railroad                                                                    
     Corporation  to  secure   financing  for  the  critical                                                                    
     replacement  of  its   passenger  dock  and  associated                                                                    
     terminal  facility   in  Seward,  Alaska.   By  issuing                                                                    
     revenue  bonds,  the  Alaska Railroad  Corporation  can                                                                    
     address  infrastructure  needs, enhance  transportation                                                                    
     services, and  contribute to  the economic  vitality of                                                                    
     the region.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     The existing passenger dock  and terminal facility play                                                                    
     a  crucial role  in supporting  tourism, commerce,  and                                                                    
     transportation along the  scenic Alaska Railroad route.                                                                    
     However,  due  to  wear  and  aging,  these  facilities                                                                    
     require  immediate  attention. The  proposed  financing                                                                    
     through revenue  bonds will allow for  timely upgrades,                                                                    
     ensuring safe and  efficient operations for passengers,                                                                    
     freight, and tourism-related activities.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
     The  replacement project  aims to  enhance the  overall                                                                    
     experience for travelers,  promote economic growth, and                                                                    
     maintain  the  Alaska  Railroad's  status  as  a  vital                                                                    
     transportation link  within the state. By  investing in                                                                    
     modern  infrastructure,  we  can  continue  to  connect                                                                    
     communities,   foster   tourism,  and   support   local                                                                    
     businesses.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     HB  122 represents  a collaborative  effort to  address                                                                    
     critical infrastructure needs  while maintaining fiscal                                                                    
     responsibility.  We appreciate  your  support for  this                                                                    
     legislation, which  will benefit Alaskans  and visitors                                                                    
     alike.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
2:07:23 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
ZACK  YOUNG,  Staff,  Representative  Frank  Tomaszewski,  Alaska                                                               
State  Legislature,  on  behalf  of  Representative  Tomaszewski,                                                               
prime sponsor, gave  the sectional analysis for  HB 122 [included                                                               
in  the  committee  packet]  which   read  as  follows  [original                                                               
punctuation provided]:                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     Section  1. Beginning  Page 1,  Line 5:  Authorizes the                                                                    
     Alaska Railroad Corporation to  issue an additional $90                                                                    
     million, for  a total  not to  exceed $150  million, in                                                                    
     revenue  bonds to  finance  the  replacement of  ARRC's                                                                    
     passenger  dock   and  related  terminal   facility  in                                                                    
     Seward, Alaska.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     Section 2. Page 2, Line  7: Sets an immediate effective                                                                    
     date.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
2:08:15 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES related that when  she first heard about HB
122, she presumed  ARRC was in partnership  with someone involved                                                               
in the repairs and rebuilding of the docks.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE TOMASZEWSKI confirmed that  ARRC is and added that                                                               
ARRC staff were available for questions.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
2:09:15 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR MCCABE  noted it was a  good segway for ARRC  staff to join                                                               
the discussion.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
2:10:02 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR. O'LEARY  joined the discussion  on HB  122 in support  of the                                                               
proposed legislation and presented  a short PowerPoint [hard copy                                                               
included in the committee packet],  titled "Seward Passenger Dock                                                               
& Terminal Replacement Project."   He stated that the reason ARRC                                                               
was  present is  due to  railroad statutes  requiring legislative                                                               
approval  before issuing  bonds.   He  noted the  three docks  in                                                               
Seward   as  he   continued  on   slide  2,   titled  "Need   for                                                               
Replacement,"  which   read  as  follows   [original  punctuation                                                               
provided]:                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     • Current Seward dock facility is rapidly approaching                                                                      
     end of useful life                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
        Seward cruise  port is  critical infrastructure  for                                                                    
     Alaska's  travel industry:  188,124 passengers  cruised                                                                    
     to or  from Seward in  2023, many adding on  travels in                                                                    
     Southcentral and Interior                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
MR.  O'LEARY further  stated that  ARRC  is being  forced to  put                                                               
millions  of dollars  into the  docks through  2025 just  to keep                                                               
them safe and functional.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:13:42 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR. O'LEARY  continued on slide  3, titled "Funding  & Timeline,"                                                               
which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     2022: $60 million in bond authorization approved                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
    2024:   Requesting   additional    $75   million   bond                                                                     
     authorization                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
     Fall 2025: Construction begins                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
     Spring 2026: New dock and terminal complete                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     Bonds issued by ARRC are  not a liability of the state,                                                                    
     and no state  dollars will be used  for repayment; ARRC                                                                    
     bonds  will be  secured  by a  long-term use  agreement                                                                    
     with anchor tenant Royal Caribbean Group.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
      The new dock and terminal facility will support the                                                                       
     next 50 years of industry growth and visitor demand.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
MR. O'LEARY stressed that it is a  debt of ARRC only and no state                                                               
monies can be used  to pay the debt; they are  revenue bonds.  He                                                               
quickly moved through slides 4 and  5 which showed a rendering of                                                               
the new dock and terminal facilities.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
2:17:06 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
PRESTON CARNAHAN, Regional Vice  President of Destinations, Royal                                                               
Caribbean Group, gave invited testimony  in support of HB 122 and                                                               
added  that he  represented a  number of  developments throughout                                                               
the  Western U.S.  Region, and  that the  dock in  Seward clearly                                                               
needed to be replaced.  He  offered his belief the right solution                                                               
had been found, which is why  he said Royal Caribbean Group would                                                               
offer  a three-decade  commitment  to back  the  project up  with                                                               
revenue.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
2:18:32 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR MCCABE invited questions from committee members.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
2:18:43 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES inquired about  the utilization of the dock                                                               
and whether any other cruise companies had been consulted.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
MR. O'LEARY  responded that the  proposal is to build  a floating                                                               
dock, and  ARRC had discussions  with those individuals  who work                                                               
on the docks about their concerns  and how the dock could be used                                                               
other  than for  cruise lines.   He  pointed out  the project  to                                                               
widen  the freight  dock  as well,  and  that the  longshoremen's                                                               
union has been  in the loop.  He further  discussed the projected                                                               
versatility of the docks.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:22:12 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES  clarified that she wished  to know whether                                                               
other  cruise lines  or longshoremen  were  consulted before  the                                                               
plans were drawn up.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
MR. O'LEARY responded  that the structure of the  deal included a                                                               
developer,  an anchor  tenant,  and  the owner  being  ARRC.   He                                                               
clarified  it  is  being  looked  at  like  a  real  estate  type                                                               
transaction.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  STUTES  asked  whether  the City  of  Seward  was                                                               
involved.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
MR. O'LEARY  said he could  not respond  to the level  of detail,                                                               
but Ms. Sorensen was online to answer questions.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
2:25:20 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
KATHLEEN  SORENSEN,  City  Manager,  City  of  Seward,  addressed                                                               
Representative  Stutes and  stated that  the City  of Seward  had                                                               
been in  discussions with  ARRC for years  and was  excited about                                                               
the project.   She added  that there was a  presentation recently                                                               
to   the   City  Council   regarding   the   design,  and   other                                                               
administrations have been involved.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES  referred to  the cargo dock  being rebuilt                                                               
and  asked what  the timeframe  was.   She expressed  her concern                                                               
that if there were a disaster,  Seward would be the next place as                                                               
an ice-free port where anyone could  go and must be available for                                                               
cargo ships.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR.  O'LEARY explained  that  the cargo  dock  has been  somewhat                                                               
delayed while  grants and environmental permitting  are being put                                                               
in place.   It would be  challenging to manage two  dock projects                                                               
at  the same  time and  would take  significant coordination,  he                                                               
said.  He requested that Mr. Lindamood join the conversation.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
2:28:17 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
BRIAN  LINDAMOOD,  Vice  President Engineering,  Alaska  Railroad                                                               
Corporation, added that one of  the complications was scheduling.                                                               
He clarified that at any given time  there must be a place for at                                                               
least  one  ship to  berth,  and  he  confirmed there  have  been                                                               
discussions with the development team  to make sure that happens.                                                               
Traffic must be  maintained during construction, he  said, and to                                                               
make sure coordination is happening.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES  stated it alarmed  her that there  may not                                                               
be  the  ability to  accommodate  a  large  cargo ship,  but  the                                                               
priority is  a cruise ship.   She expressed her opinion  that the                                                               
dock  may  not  be  large  enough to  accommodate  a  large  ship                                                               
offloading goods somewhat easily.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
2:30:13 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR. O'LEARY  affirmed that the  freight dock  could be used  in a                                                               
pinch, and  there have been  discussions about  contingency plans                                                               
in Seward should there be an issue  at the Port of Alaska, but it                                                               
may not be the most efficient.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES  reiterated that  she hoped there  would be                                                               
something in place before "you start tearing everything apart."                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
2:31:07 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR MCCABE wondered about the  dock itself and whether the ramp                                                               
could be wider to accommodate bigger loads.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
MR. O'LEARY noted  that Turnagain Marine is  the constructor, and                                                               
the focus is  not for it to  only be a freight dock,  but to have                                                               
greater utility in the off season.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  MCCABE  expressed interest  in  obtaining  a timeline  and                                                               
mirrored Representative Stutes' concerns.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:33:32 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR.  LINDAMOOD added  that the  passenger dock  schedule is  more                                                               
filled  right now,  and the  intent  is to  continue through  the                                                               
winter  and open  back  up  again in  time  for  the 2026  cruise                                                               
passenger season.   He confirmed  that the existing berth  at the                                                               
freight dock is not going away,  but is being expanded long term,                                                               
and that the project is being held up slightly.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
2:35:26 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR MCCABE asked  whether the docks were  being built somewhere                                                               
else.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
MR. CARNAHAN stated that the dock  would be built in two sections                                                               
in Washington state, which he  described as the closest center of                                                               
excellence  for that  type of  work.   The  construction is  more                                                               
robust than any other floating dock, he said.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  MCCABE brought  up a  news  release about  Haines and  the                                                               
Federal  Government not  paying for  a  $10 million  hit, and  he                                                               
sought to  know if construction is  robust enough to "take  a hit                                                               
and be ok with it."                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
MR.  CARNAHAN said  he could  not  speak on  behalf of  Turnagain                                                               
[Marine], but  in the  past five  years the  construction company                                                               
has  successfully  completed all  the  new  floating cruise  ship                                                               
docks, and based on its portfolio, is a very robust company.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
2:39:05 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES  asked whether  the dock  could accommodate                                                               
the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS).                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
MR. O'LEARY  replied that should  AMHS plan to return  to Seward,                                                               
it would  be at the freight  docks as opposed to  the cruise ship                                                               
dock.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  STUTES asked  whether  ARRC would  work with  the                                                               
Department  of Transportation  &  Public  Facilities (DOT&PF)  to                                                               
make sure the freight dock improvements would be facilitated.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
MR. O'LEARY said they had not contacted DOT&PF yet but would.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
2:39:54 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE  commented that the project  looked a little                                                               
too  efficient   and  inquired  about  Royal   Caribbean  Group's                                                               
objective  in  giving  passengers  time  in  communities  on  the                                                               
Central  peninsula,  as  well  as   investing  dollars  into  the                                                               
economy.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
2:41:48 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR. CARNAHAN  first referred  to the  dock construction  and said                                                               
that it  was a very capable  solution to handle the  ship itself.                                                               
He said  as a company,  Royal Caribbean Group is  locally focused                                                               
with  strategic entrepreneurial  partners  and  relies on  Alaska                                                               
businesses to  create these  partnerships.   He said  he believed                                                               
many  issues  would  be  worked   through  by  the  time  of  the                                                               
completion of the dock in 2026.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
2:44:53 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  MCCABE commented  about the  scheduling of  passengers and                                                               
how the added population all at once may affect Seward.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
2:45:40 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES  observed that  the dock looked  narrow and                                                               
inquired whether two ships could be in at once.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
MR.  CARNAHAN  said   it  is  a  double-sided   berth  and  could                                                               
accommodate two large passenger ships.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
2:47:09 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE  spoke to  the impacts  of solid  waste from                                                               
larger ships and  asked if he had  conversations with communities                                                               
in dealing with the waste.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
MR.  CARNAHAN  said   industry  members  have  signed   on  to  a                                                               
memorandum of  understanding (MOU) where they  discharge no waste                                                               
into the communities.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
2:48:12 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR MCCABE announced that HB 122 was held over.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
2:48:55 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
ADJOURNMENT                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
There being no  further business before the  committee, the House                                                               
Transportation Standing  Committee meeting was adjourned  at 2:49                                                               
p.m.                                                                                                                            

Document Name Date/Time Subjects
HJR 19 Fiscal Note 2.26.24.pdf HTRA 2/27/2024 1:30:00 PM
STRA 4/4/2024 1:30:00 PM
HJR 19
HJR019.VerB.SupportLetter.NovaMinerals.2.22.24.pdf HTRA 2/27/2024 1:30:00 PM
STRA 4/4/2024 1:30:00 PM
HJR 19
HJR019.VerB.SupportLetter.Senator Murkowski.2.22.24.pdf HTRA 2/27/2024 1:30:00 PM
STRA 4/4/2024 1:30:00 PM
HJR 19
HB0122.VerA.2.15.24.pdf HTRA 2/27/2024 1:30:00 PM
HB 122
HB 122 Sponsor Statement.2.15.24.pdf HTRA 2/27/2024 1:30:00 PM
HB 122
HB 122 Supporting Document Royal Caribbean Design Flip Book 2.15.24.pdf HTRA 2/27/2024 1:30:00 PM
HB 122
HB122 - Seward Dock Presentation - 2.27.24.pdf HTRA 2/27/2024 1:30:00 PM
HB 122
HJR019A.pdf HTRA 2/27/2024 1:30:00 PM
HJR 19
HJR019.VerB.SupportLetter.AKRR.2.22.24.pdf HTRA 2/27/2024 1:30:00 PM
STRA 4/4/2024 1:30:00 PM
HJR 19
HJR19 Version B Support Letter MSB Mayor Manager 2.20.24.pdf HTRA 2/27/2024 1:30:00 PM
STRA 4/4/2024 1:30:00 PM
HJR 19
HB122.Ver A.DCCED Fiscal Note.2 16 14.pdf HTRA 2/27/2024 1:30:00 PM
HB 122
HB122. VerA.Sectional Analysis.2.26.24.pdf HTRA 2/27/2024 1:30:00 PM
HB 122
HJR19 Sponsor Statement 2.28.24.pdf HTRA 2/27/2024 1:30:00 PM
STRA 4/4/2024 1:30:00 PM
HJR 19