Legislature(2023 - 2024)BARNES 124
05/02/2023 01:00 PM House TRANSPORTATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SJR11 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SJR 11 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
May 2, 2023
1:01 p.m.
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
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 11 AM
Recognizing the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022
and the importance of certain provisions intended to enhance oil
spill response capabilities in Western Alaska and the United
States Arctic to promote improved safety in shipping commerce,
protection of communities in the state, and the health of
critical marine resources; urging the United States Coast Guard
to consider the unique challenges of the state when developing
oil spill response requirements for Western Alaska and the
United States Arctic; and urging the deployment of
individualized oil spill response resources for the state that
use modern technologies to track the operation of large vessels
in the region and local service providers with knowledge of the
region and local wildlife.
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SJR 11
SHORT TITLE: WESTERN AK/ARCTIC OIL SPILL RESPONSE
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) KIEHL
03/24/23 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/24/23 (S) TRA
03/30/23 (S) TRA AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/30/23 (S) Moved SJR 11 Out of Committee
03/30/23 (S) MINUTE(TRA)
03/31/23 (S) TRA RPT 2DP 3NR
03/31/23 (S) NR: KAUFMAN, MYERS, WILSON
03/31/23 (S) DP: TOBIN, KIEHL
04/28/23 (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)
04/28/23 (S) VERSION: SJR 11 AM
05/01/23 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
05/01/23 (H) TRA
05/02/23 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124
WITNESS REGISTER
CALEB YABES, Intern
Senator Jesse Kiehl
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave the sectional analysis on SJR 11 on
behalf of Senator Kiehl, prime sponsor.
SENATOR JESSE KIEHL
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, introduced SJR 11.
JIM BUTLER, representing self
Kenai, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SJR 11.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:01:12 PM
CHAIR KEVIN MCCABE called the House Transportation Standing
Committee meeting to order at 1:01 p.m. Representatives McKay,
Vance, Stutes, Mina, and McCabe were present at the call to
order. Representatives Sumner and C. Johnson arrived as the
meeting was in progress.
SJR 11-WESTERN AK/ARCTIC OIL SPILL RESPONSE
1:01:45 PM
CHAIR MCCABE announced that the only order of business would be
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 11 am, Recognizing the Don Young
Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 and the importance of
certain provisions intended to enhance oil spill response
capabilities in Western Alaska and the United States Arctic to
promote improved safety in shipping commerce, protection of
communities in the state, and the health of critical marine
resources; urging the United States Coast Guard to consider the
unique challenges of the state when developing oil spill
response requirements for Western Alaska and the United States
Arctic; and urging the deployment of individualized oil spill
response resources for the state that use modern technologies to
track the operation of large vessels in the region and local
service providers with knowledge of the region and local
wildlife.
1:02:51 PM
SENATOR JESSE KIEHL, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor,
presented SJR 11 am. He said the joint resolution was inspired
by the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022.
Regulations were put in place in the aftermath of the Exxon
Valdez oil spill, but many places in Alaska do not have the
infrastructure to comply with all of those regulations. He said
that there are ways to get alternative plans approved, but those
plans are approved in Washington D.C., not by members of the
U.S. Coast Guard that are stationed in and familiar with Alaska.
The result of this has been regulations that have at times been
inconsistent.
1:06:53 PM
CALEB YABES, Intern, Senator Jesse Kiehl, Alaska State
Legislature, gave a brief analysis of SJR 11 am, on behalf of
Senator Kiehl, prime sponsor. He said that the proposed joint
resolution would call on the Coast Guard to give serious
consideration to Alaska in matters regarding oil spill
regulations. It would request the use of Alaskan-owned
equipment to respond to a spill for the purpose of response
time.
1:07:58 PM
SENATOR KIEHL stated that an amendment added on the Senate floor
clarified that the resolution does not request the Coast Guard
to make any changes in regulations for Cook Inlet or Prince
William Sound. He said that a committee substitute was in
progress that would add a statement against the creation of new
sub-zones in Western Alaska and take out a technical clause
dealing with equipment.
1:10:56 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES asked why the clause allowing dual use
would be removed if it is not critical to the resolution, and
stated her concern that it could give an unfair advantage to one
company over another.
SENATOR KIEHL answered that there is some middle ground of the
uses for different equipment. He said that the resolution would
not tilt the regulatory playing field in favor of any particular
organization. He added that the clause ultimately became a
"distraction."
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES expressed her concern over making changes
to SJR 11 am when it had already been passed unanimously in the
Senate.
SENATOR KIEHL responded that the issues were raised to him after
the resolution had already left its final committee, and he
committed to doing further work to address those issues.
1:16:31 PM
CHAIR MCCABE opened public testimony on SJR 11 am.
1:16:49 PM
JIM BUTLER, representing self, noted that he is an attorney. He
stated that Senator Kiehl did a good job in explaining a
"complex issue." He said that it is important for Alaska
industries and state government agencies to provide input to the
federal government in regard to these regulations.
1:18:39 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES asked whether Mr. Butler represents any
oil response companies.
MR. BUTLER answered that he represents Alaska Chadux Network,
and additionally some salvage companies that do work in Western
Alaska and the Lower 48.
1:19:30 PM
CHAIR MCCABE, after ascertaining no one else wished to testify,
closed public testimony on SJR 11 am.
[SJR 11 am was held over.]
1:19:54 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Transportation Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 1:20
p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SJR 11 Sponsor Statement version B.pdf |
HTRA 5/2/2023 1:00:00 PM |
SJR 11 |
| SJR 11 Research H.R. 7776 NDAA 2022 3.27.23.pdf |
HTRA 5/2/2023 1:00:00 PM |
SJR 11 |
| SJR 11 Fiscal Note Version B 3.27.23.pdf |
HTRA 5/2/2023 1:00:00 PM |
SJR 11 |