Legislature(1993 - 1994)
01/26/1993 03:35 PM Senate TRA
| Audio | Topic |
|---|
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
January 26, 1993
3:35 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Bert Sharp, Chairman
Senator Randy Phillips, Vice Chairman
Senator Tim Kelly
Senator Georgianna Lincoln
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Jay Kerttula
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
Organizational Meeting
PREVIOUS SENATE COMMITTEE ACTION
None
WITNESS REGISTER
Keith Gerkin, Deputy Commissioner
Department of Transportation
3132 Channel Drive
Juneau, Alaska 99801-7898
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 93-1, SIDE A
Number 001
CHAIRMAN SHARP called the Senate Transportation Committee
meeting to order at 3:35 p.m. He introduced committee
members and people in attendance from the administration.
Number 019
SENATOR KELLY moved and asked unanimous consent that the
chairman be given the discretion to introduce legislation
for the Senate Transportation Committee, without having to
confer with the committee on every occasion. Hearing no
objection, the motion carried.
CHAIRMAN SHARP asked if members had any particular points of
interest that the committee should consider at future
meetings.
SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS requested that the committee review
the status of the Alaska Railroad. Chairman Sharp indicated
that a teleconference overview is tentatively scheduled for
February 9.
Chairman Sharp explained that he is interested in the Dalton
Highway, new highway construction, and the possibility of
the railroad expanding to other areas. He noted that
whenever possible, there would be joint hearings with the
House Transportation Committee regarding legislation that
they have a common interest in.
Number 100
SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS indicated is interested in the
governor's proposed northern sea route from the Bering Sea
to Europe.
Chairman Sharp noted that there would be a joint meeting
with Senate Finance on Thursday, January 28, regarding the
Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA),
presented by the Department of Transportation and Public
Facilities. He explained the committee would be having a
formal hearing regarding Executive Order 87 on February 2.
Chairman Sharp indicated the following legislation is
presently in the Senate Transportation Committee: Executive
Order 87, SJR 18, SB 16, and SB 38.
Number 146
SENATOR KELLY noted he is a supporter of the Cordova Highway
and the Whittier Road. He indicated he would appreciate
anything the committee could do to move those issues along.
SENATOR LINCOLN indicated interest in the following
transportation issues: maintenance and the opening or
closing of the Dalton Highway; status of the Copper River
Highway and the Bettles Road; Alaska Marine Highway service
in the Prince William Sound area; and the future of the
ferry system. CHAIRMAN SHARP also noted his interest in the
Dalton Highway.
SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS explained that he feels that the
members of the Senate Transportation Committee should also
be the members of the Senate Finance Transportation
Subcommittee. There was continued discussion regarding this
matter.
Number 260
KEITH GERKIN, Deputy Commissioner, Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities, explained that at the
Thursday meeting there will be an overview of the ISTEA
Program and current changes. He explained other issues that
will come before the committee are: (1) the proposal for a
constitutional amendment for dedicated funds for fuel taxes;
(2) building mergers; (3) replacement ferry vessels; (4) the
requirement for motor cycle drivers to wear helmets; (5)
revoking driver's licenses of people convicted of drug
offenses; (6) the organization of the department; (7) roads;
and (8) the capital budget.
SENATOR LINCOLN referred to the issue of small airports, how
the dedicated fuel tax is dedicated to them, and what the
plan is for maintenance and/or new expansions of small
airports. MR. GERKIN explained that the state is continuing
to receive about $50 million, per year, for the Federal
Aviation Improvement Program from the federal government.
The money will be for expanding and reconstructing airports
throughout the state. He noted that the bill, like ISTEA,
is a multi-year bill and expires in the current federal
fiscal year. Congress will probably write something very
similar in the future.
Mr. Gerkin referred to the dedicated fund and said it would
work for airports as it does for the other modes.
Essentially, the constitutional amendment that would be put
before the voters would say, "Whatever revenue received from
this mode (airports, highways, marine highways, and harbors)
can only be spent on the maintenance of facilities within
that mode." There was continued discussion regarding
airports.
SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS requested that the committee have a
meeting regarding Budget and Audit recommendations relating
to the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities.
Number 412
There being no further business to come before the Senate
Transportation Committee, Senator Sharp adjourned the
meeting at 4:03 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|