Legislature(1995 - 1996)
03/02/1995 01:36 PM Senate TRA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SENATE TRANSPORTATION
March 2, 1995
1:36 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Steve Rieger, Chairman
Senator Robin Taylor, Vice Chair
Senator Lyda Green
Senator Al Adams
Senator Georgianna Lincoln
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present.
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
Presentation by the Port of Bellingham.
SENATE BILL NO. 86
"An Act relating to issuance of special request commemorative gold
rush motor vehicle license plates."
PREVIOUS SENATE ACTION
SB 86 - No previous action to record.
WITNESS REGISTER
Jim Darling, Executive Director
Port of Bellingham
Bellingham, WA
POSITION STATEMENT: Reviewed the history of the ferry terminal and
addressed the community support of the Gateway
to Alaska.
Bob Hilport, Director
Marine Terminals
Port of Bellingham
625 Cornwall Avenue
Bellingham, WA 98276
POSITION STATEMENT: Discussed the multi-modal transportation
facility.
Mike Brennan, President
Port of Bellingham
Bellingham Chamber of Commerce
1801 Roeder Avenue, #140
Bellingham, WA 98225
POSITION STATEMENT: Addressed the Fairhave Passport pamphlet.
Dave Bell, Executive Director
Fourth Corner Economic Development Group
1203 Cornwall Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
POSITION STATEMENT: Informed the committee of the pivotal location
of Whatcom County.
Cam Toohey
Staff to Senator Sharp
State Capitol
Juneau, Alaska 99801-1182
POSITION STATEMENT: Discussed SB 86.
Juanita Hensley
Department of Public Safety
Division of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 20020
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Suggested deleting language in order to
decrease the fiscal note of SB 86.
Senator Sharp
State Capitol
Juneau, Alaska 99801-1182
POSITION STATEMENT: Prime sponsor to SB 86.
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 95-5, SIDE A
Number 004
CHAIRMAN RIEGER called the Senate Transportation meeting to order
at 1:36 p.m. He invited the Port of Bellingham presenters to come
forward for their presentation.
JIM DARLING, Executive Director for the Port of Bellingham, said
that the formal relationship between the Port of Bellingham and
Alaska began in 1989 when the southern terminus of the ferry system
moved from Seattle to Bellingham. The community, at that time,
made an approximately $12 million investment in the port. Since
that time the ridership of the ferry has remained the same or
increased a bit. He noted that at present, the ferry system is
handling approximately 42,000 passengers a year which is a slight
increase from the numbers when the terminal was in Seattle. There
is also a multi-modal marine link which transports passengers to
the Vancouver and San Juan Islands, under 14,000 passengers per
year.
Mr. Darling explained that although they have a 20 year contract
with Alaska for the terminal use and a two year ticket contract,
the port considers themselves to be in a partnership agreement with
Alaska. The ferry terminal extends the other transportation
businesses in the area which includes aviation. He stated that
they were exploring more direct air transport from Bellingham to
Southeast Alaska. He pointed out that the port is one of the
largest real estate holders in Whatcom county. Another strong tie
to Alaska are the marinas, in particular, those for commercial
fishing vessels in the area. Mr. Darling said that they would
present new developments at the Fairhaven Terminal and the new $4
million multi-modal facility.
Number 081
BOB HILPORT, Director of Marine Terminals for the Port of
Bellingham, handed out packets to the committee members. The
multi-modal facility will be completed in July and will cost
approximately $4 million of which $1 million will come from the
Washington Department of Transportation and federal highway funds.
He informed the committee that Greyhound, Trailways, Amtrack, a
Bellingham airport connection, and a shopper tram to downtown will
all be in the multi-modal facility. He pointed out that they have
co-oped advertising with the Alaska Marine Highway System. He
reviewed the information in the packet he gave to committee
members.
Mr. Hilport viewed the multi-modal facility as a gateway to Alaska
and British Columbia. They will be promoting pocket cruises into
the San Juan Islands, the Puget Sound, and perhaps, to Vancouver
Island. He noted that the port is a member of the Southeast Alaska
Chamber Committee and the Board of the Alaska State Chamber of
Commerce. He offered to answer any questions.
Number 152
JIM DARLING restated the importance of the reinstatement of
passenger rail service in the multi-modal facility. He noted that
from their perspective this would be more than merely a Southeast
Alaska issue. Amtrak is interested in promoting themselves in the
Northwest Corridor. He said that Amtrak is interested in joint
advertising and promotion with Alaska through the Port of
Bellingham. He mentioned that the multi-modal facility will be
housed in a turn of the century building, formerly the Pacific
America Fisheries corporate headquarters. The history of the
fishing industry of Alaska will be preserved through displays
within the facility.
MIKE BRENNAN, Director and President of the Bellingham Chamber of
Commerce, discussed the cooperation between the port districts and
the public and private sectors; an example of this cooperation is
the Fairhaven Passport. This booklet is a directory of services
for the area which benefits Bellingham and ferry travelers. A
Whatcom County Passport is the next project for the chamber. He
noted that the Fairhaven Passport had won an award for Best New
Product.
Number 215
DAVE BELL, Economic Development Council for Bellingham and
Washington, passed out a directory of all the manufacturers in
Whatcom County. Whatcom County has a population of 147,000 and
continues to grow. He pointed out that the most important aspect
of Whatcom County is its pivotal location which has access to
approximately 5 million people; Whatcom County is midway between
Vancouver, B.C. and Seattle. He explained that historically,
Whatcom County's economy resembled that of Alaska's; logging and
fishing industries were important to both economies. Whatcom
County has experienced much growth in diversified manufacturing and
services. The county also has a lot of travelers coming through,
approximately 25-30 million Canadian border crossings per year. He
noted that Whatcom County has a lot of educational resources.
MIKE BRENNAN introduced Dan Robbins who is a member of the Chamber
Board of Directors for Bellingham. Mr. Robbins is also the only
announced candidate for mayor in Bellingham.
SENATOR LINCOLN asked if the port could advertise more about
Alaskan services. MIKE BRENNAN reiterated that joint marketing had
been done in the ferry schedule, however, more could be done. Mr.
Brennan commented that the port did have a contract last year with
their chamber and their visitor and convention bureau in which a
series of workshops were held in Bellingham. The workshops
attempted to help individuals make connections in Alaska from a
commercial and business respect.
SENATOR LINCOLN inquired as to how the seminars went. MIKE BRENNAN
stated that 40 people attended the first series and 50-60 people
attended in later sessions. People attending were interested in
tourism travel while others were local retailers who were
interested in Alaskan products.
Number 305
BOB HILPORT noted that the port has been attempting to dispel the
notion that Alaskans are foreigners. The new multi-modal facility
which is dedicated to transportation would help end that notion.
He suggested that an Alaska state trade office in the multi-modal
facility would be beneficial to bridging the gap. In response to
Senator Lincoln, Mr. Hilport pointed out the new multi-modal
facility and pertinent information within her packet.
CHAIRMAN RIEGER inquired as to who publishes the Fairhaven Passport
pamphlet and who charges and makes a profit from the pamphlet.
MIKE BRENNAN said that the pamphlet is a private publication
designed with small advertisers in mind; it just broke even.
CHAIRMAN RIEGER asked what the ferries traveling to Vancouver
Island would look like. BOB HILPORT explained that they were foot
ferries which would offer day service to the islands. JIM DARLING
noted that the port had discussed with the state of Washington a
ferry connection with the Alaska ferry which would go out to the
islands.
JIM DARLING reiterated that the community has made a substantial
investment in the ferry system, and the Gateway to Alaska through
their tax dollars. The community will be investing $1 million in
the multi-modal facility, the state of Washington will be investing
over $2 million. He specified that the multi-modal facility would
not receive state and federal funding if the ferry system was not
located in Bellingham.
SENATOR TAYLOR informed the committee that the ferry system
operated out of Seattle in the past; the situation was not
comfortable. Seattle did not attempt to enhance Alaska's operation
there nor did they encourage people to visit Alaska. He expressed
appreciation to Bellingham for all that they had done. The
difficulty will be in continuing the operations of the Alaskan
ferry that currently arrives in Bellingham.
Number 378
SENATOR TAYLOR pointed out that the ferry terminal in Bellingham is
used for various activities such as weddings; it is a beautiful
facility.
SENATOR LINCOLN asked if there was any more Alaska could do in this
partnership in order to have a better relationship while achieving
productivity for Alaska. JIM DARLING reiterated the suggestion of
an Alaskan trade office in the new facility. There should be
aggressiveness with the promotion of trade and commerce. Mr.
Darling commented that they were impressed with the new
commissioner and director of the marine highway system with regard
to more cooperative approaches to the promotion of trade and
commerce.
BOB HILPORT stated that the port has a large real estate division.
He discussed the overseas investors who have approached the port;
if these potential investors do not know about Washington then they
definitely know nothing about Alaska. This could open up great
potential for Alaskan business. JIM DARLING noted that the
personal presence would be important.
CHAIRMAN RIEGER thanked the Port of Bellingham for their
presentation.
SHES - 3/2/95
SB 86 COMMEMORATIVE GOLD RUSH LICENSE PLATES
Number 420
CHAIRMAN RIEGER introduced SB 86 as the next order of business
before the committee. He recognized that the Department of Public
Safety was present for questions.
CAM TOOHEY, staff to Senator Sharp, stated that SB 86 is similar to
the legislation of last year; SB 86 does have a minor change.
SB 86 would allow individuals to celebrate the Gold Rush with the
purchase of a commemorative license plate. The license plate would
be designed by the commissioner and the Office of Public Safety in
accord with the Gold Rush Task Force. He acknowledged that the
representative from the Department of Public Safety may want to
address an amendment that would decrease the fiscal note.
SENATOR ADAMS inquired as to what was added to this legislation
when it was HB 407 which was vetoed by former Governor Hickel.
CAM TOOHEY explained that HB 407 removed the need for two license
plates.
SENATOR ADAMS noted the $17.4 fiscal note, when stating that he had
the understanding that the sale of special license plates would
absorb the cost of producing them. Perhaps, the cost of these
special license plates could be raised in order to cover the cost
of producing them or the sale of special plates could be
eliminated.
JUANITA HENSLEY, the Division of Motor Vehicles, stated that in the
past, the costs to produce special plates have not been recovered
in their sale. She did note that the Veteran's license plate has
recovered the cost to produce it. She suggested deleting the
language on line 9, "and color" in order to decrease the fiscal
impact of SB 86.
Ms. Hensley explained that deleting this language would allow the
use of their existing stock of reflective material rather than
purchasing a roll for $12,500. Reflective material must be
purchased by the roll and an order of 1,000 plates must be present
before the order can be placed. Deleting this language would
reduce the costs; the cost of the metal and the design of the plate
would be the only costs.
SENATOR TAYLOR asked if the Ms. Hensley had reviewed the
possibility of plating license plates, a chrome or gold-plated
license plate. He suggested that she investigate that option.
Number 487
SENATOR ADAMS asked if the Alaska Gold Rush Centennial Task Force
was in place. CAM TOOHEY replied yes; the task force which is a
volunteer organization has been in existence since 1992.
SENATOR LINCOLN inquired as to the cost of the Al-Can Centennial
license plate because it seems parallel to this plate. JUANITA
HENSLEY explained that the commemoration of the 50th year of the
Alaska Highway plate was developed by private industry. Through
legislation, the license plate was allowed placement on a vehicle
for one year only.
SENATOR LINCOLN inquired as to the difference in the process of the
two plates. SENATOR SHARP felt that the Commemorative Gold Rush
plates could be permanent plates; this may be one of the few
manners in which to receive a new plate.
JUANITA HENSLEY stated that depending on the design and the color
of the license plate, the plate would replace an existing plate.
She explained that this license plate would cost $30 plus the
normal registration fee; this is similar to a vanity and a
personalized plate.
SENATOR LINCOLN asked what the fiscal note for SB 86 would be if
the existing stock of reflective material was used. JUANITA
HENSLEY said that the fiscal note would decrease by approximately
$5,800.
SENATOR LINCOLN questioned why the commissioner would determine the
design of this plate; why not the Alaska Gold Rush Centennial Task
Force. CAM TOOHEY informed the committee that the Division of
Motor Vehicles wanted the commissioner to have the authority in
order to eliminate the possibility of an expensive design or a
design that would be too difficult to see by law enforcement.
SENATOR ADAMS asked if there would be uniformity in the cost of
this plate in relation to other specialty plates. JUANITA HENSLEY
specified that a vanity plate costs $30 and a custom plate costs
$50, both requiring the normal registration fees as well. She
offered to share the list of all the specialty plates and their
accounts with the committee.
SENATOR TAYLOR agreed that the commissioner should oversee the
designing process.
Number 546
JUANITA HENSLEY emphasized that the reflectablility and the
readability of the license plate would be important for law
enforcement as well as the public. The University license plate is
hard to read and its design did not have oversight by the
commissioner. SENATOR TAYLOR agreed and recounted his experience
with this University plate.
CHAIRMAN RIEGER asked if the language needed to be deleted if the
commissioner could dictate that the color would come from the
existing stock of reflective materials. JUANITA HENSLEY felt that
deleting the language would eliminate the possibility of using
other colors.
SENATOR ADAMS inquired as to Senator Sharp's opinion with regard to
the deletion of the language. SENATOR SHARP stated that it would
be acceptable; this suggestion would save money.
SENATOR TAYLOR moved to delete the language "and color" on line 9
of SB 86. Without objection, the amendment was adopted.
SENATOR LINCOLN asked if the fiscal note would reflect the
amendment. CHAIRMAN RIEGER assured the committee that the deletion
would be pointed out to the Finance Committee.
JUANITA HENSLEY stated that the fiscal note would be re-worked.
She indicated the need to have the estimated number of purchasers
of this license plate, then the revenue that the department would
collect could be presented as well.
SENATOR ADAMS moved that CS SB 86(TRA), with its new fiscal note,
be moved out of committee with individual recommendations. Without
objections, it was so ordered.
There being no further business before the committee, the meeting
adjourned at 2:17 p.m.
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