02/15/2022 01:30 PM Senate TRANSPORTATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB166 | |
| SB150 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 150 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 166 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
February 15, 2022
1:35 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Robert Myers, Chair
Senator Mike Shower, Vice Chair
Senator Peter Micciche
Senator Jesse Kiehl
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Click Bishop
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 166
"An Act providing for and relating to the issuance of general
obligation bonds for the purpose of paying the cost of state
infrastructure projects, including construction, major
maintenance, and port and transportation projects; and providing
for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
SENATE BILL NO. 150
"An Act establishing the second Monday of September of each year
as Truck Driver Appreciation Day."
- MOVED SB 150 OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 166
SHORT TITLE: G.O. BONDS FOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
01/18/22 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/18/22 (S) TRA, FIN
01/27/22 (S) TRA AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
01/27/22 (S) Heard & Held
01/27/22 (S) MINUTE(TRA)
02/15/22 (S) TRA AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
BILL: SB 150
SHORT TITLE: TRUCK DRIVER APPRECIATION DAY
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) MYERS
01/18/22 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/7/22
01/18/22 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/18/22 (S) TRA, STA
02/08/22 (S) TRA AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/08/22 (S) -- MEETING CANCELED --
02/15/22 (S) TRA AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
WITNESS REGISTER
PAT BRANSON, Mayor of Kodiak
Kodiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the Kodiak Fire
Station funding in SB 166.
COLBY HICKEL, Deputy Municipal Manager
Municipality of Anchorage
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the Port of
Anchorage funding in SB 166.
DAVID AMES, Program Manager
Port of Alaska Modernization Program
Jacobs Engineering
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the Port of
Anchorage funding in SB 166.
JOY BAKER, Port Director
City of Nome
Nome, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the Port of Nome -
Arctic Deep Draft Project funding in SB 166.
TIM SULLIVAN, Director of External Affairs,
Alaska Railroad Corporation
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the funding for the
Alaska Railroad dock in Seward in SB 166.
DAWSON MANN, Staff
Senator Robert Myers
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented the sponsor statement and
sectional analysis for SB 150 on behalf of the sponsor.
PHILIP WHITLATCH, Line Driver Supervisor
Crowley Fuel; Board Member
Alaska Trucking Association
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 150 to honor the
work that truck drivers perform.
RANDY EFIRD, Assistant Terminal Manager
Weaver Brothers
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 150.
SAMANTHA BROWN, Manager
United Freight; Board Member
Alaska Trucking Association
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 150
JOE MICHEL, Executive Director
Alaska Trucking Association (ATA)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 150 to honor the
essential services truck drivers perform.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:35:11 PM
CHAIR ROBERT MYERS called the Senate Transportation Standing
Committee meeting to order at 1:35 p.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Kiehl, Shower, and Chair Myers. Senator
Micciche arrived as the meeting was in progress.
SB 166-G.O. BONDS FOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
1:36:20 PM
CHAIR MYERS announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO.
166 "An Act providing for and relating to the issuance of
general obligation bonds for the purpose of paying the cost
of state infrastructure projects, including construction,
major maintenance, and port and transportation projects;
and providing for an effective date."
1:36:33 PM
CHAIR MYERS opened public testimony on SB 166.
1:36:57 PM
PAT BRANSON, Mayor of Kodiak, Kodiak, Alaska, spoke in
support of SB 166. The City of Kodiak understands that
Alaska voters would consider the proposition in the
November 2022 election if approved by the legislature. If
ratified by the voters, these projects will benefit
Alaskans. The City of Kodiak requested $15 million to fund
the Kodiak Fire Station. The current building was
constructed in the 1940s, has outlived its useful life, is
riddled with cracks from seismic damage, is located in the
tsunami inundation zone, and is unsafe. In 2021, the city
purchased the property for the new fire station, completed
the pre-design phase with ECI Alaska Architects, and
recently selected Wolf Architecture, Inc. to lead 100
percent of the design efforts. She estimated the total cost
of $20 to $22 million based on the design for the 21,000
square foot facility. She urged members to support the
bill.
1:39:12 PM
COLBY HICKEL, Deputy Municipal Manager, Municipality of
Anchorage (MOA), Anchorage, Alaska, spoke in support of the
Port of Anchorage project in SB 166. She provided an update
on the Port of Anchorage project. She emphasized the urgent
need for funding. The Port of Alaska is a lifeline for 90
percent of Alaskans and is in critical condition. In
November 2018, Anchorage suffered an earthquake. She
predicted that if the earthquake had lasted an additional
seven seconds, the Port of Anchorage would have failed,
leaving Alaskans without food security. It is critical to
act now to rebuild the corroded and broken infrastructure.
If the port were to fail, a failure of this magnitude would
affect everyone from the North Slope to Nome, Fairbanks,
Wasilla, Seward, Southeast Alaska communities, and everyone
in between.
MS. HICKEL said it is important to note that the $175
million for the Knik Arm Port Infrastructure in General
Obligation (GO) bonding will not get the Port of Alaska
shovel-ready. The Municipality of Anchorage is requesting
$600 million to rebuild Terminal 1, intended to support
lift-on/lift off containerized cargo operations. She said
this will help achieve food security, but the Port of
Alaska will need $1 billion by 2025 to move this project
forward.
1:40:31 PM
MS. HICKEL reported that the Municipality of Anchorage
(MOA) won a major court victory over the US Transportation
Maritime Administration, or MARAD, contract dating back to
2003. MOA does not know the settlement amount until the
court determines it, nor does it have a timeframe when the
funds will be distributed. Further, this funding could be
tied to stabilizing the North Extension only. The Petroleum
and Cement Terminal was funded in three ways and is
scheduled for completion in August 2022. She reported that
50 percent was obtained through state grants, 24 percent
from a tariff rate increase, and 20 percent in federal
grants. In addition to asking for legislative assistance,
the Municipality of Anchorage will travel to Washington, DC
in March to request additional funding. The modernization
program is projected to cost $1.6 to $1.8 billion, and the
next program phase will require $1.1 billion, 56 percent of
which equals the $600 million requested in SB 166. In
closing, she urged members to help.
1:41:04 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE joined the meeting.
1:42:01 PM
DAVID AMES, Program Manager, Port of Alaska Modernization
Program, Jacobs Engineering, Anchorage, Alaska, spoke in
support of SB 166. He offered to answer any technical
questions. This port is essential to support food security
for the city and the state. In closing, he said the
justification for the funding for the is undeniable.
1:43:09 PM
JOY BAKER, City of Nome, Nome, Alaska, spoke in support of
the Port of Nome - Arctic Deep Draft Project funding in SB
166. She thanked the governor for including the $10 million
in the General Obligation (GO) bond bill. She reported that
this massive infrastructure project has been moving forward
to complete the feasibility study that the City of Nome
cost shares with the US Army Corps of Engineers. It has
resulted in a federal project authorization in the 2020
Water Resources Development Act. She stated that the
legislature added the City of Nome's $10 million request to
Capital Project Submission and Information System (CAPSIS)
last year. This $10 million will be amplified by another
$250 million that was allocated to the project by the US
Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Civil Work Construction
Work Plan funded by the federal Infrastructure Investment &
Jobs Act. This milestone step by Congress constitutes a
federal commitment to construct the first deep-draft port
in the US Arctic. It has sparked commercial interest and
discussions regarding partnering funds for the local cost-
share match.
1:44:53 PM
MS. BAKER reported that in 2017 and 2019, the legislature
appropriated a combined $3 million of local match to the
Corps to complete the feasibility and design of the general
navigation features. The City of Nome has invested $2
million of in-house funds to design the local service
facilities. She related the project has support from the
community and regional organizations.
MS. BAKER noted she has worked on this project for 12
years. The State of Alaska has become an integral part of
the project, working with the City of Nome for in-kind
services and materials to serve as the local cost-share.
She pointed out the intense competition from China, Russia,
and other countries seeking to dominate and control the
Arctic. The expanding needs for national security presence,
and the rising geopolitical concern highlights the need for
this project. Increased vessel traffic requires search and
rescue and response vessels that can refuel and resupply
within the coverage area. Vessels seeking to transit the
Northwest Passage using Nome as a refueling point, could
reduce their fuel costs by 40 percent, shave time off their
voyage, and achieve substantial cost savings and shipping
efficiencies.
1:46:26 PM
MS. BAKER emphasized that the City of Nome must sign a
project partnership agreement and provide matching funds to
the Corps this year in anticipation of the Phase 1 design
completion by the end of 2022, prior to solicitation of
construction bids in March 2023. Further, time is of the
essence since this federal funding was not an earmark but
an appropriation to the Remote Assistance Harbors Program.
Therefore, these funds would be eligible to other
qualifying projects if Nome fails to fund its share. The
City of Nome would like to increase its $10 million request
from last year to $175 million for matching funds to the
Corps funds to construct Phase 1 of the project.
MS. BAKER explained that this project is moving at a fast
pace. Although the City of Nome is currently holding pace
with the Corps for design, it will need assistance to meet
the construction requirements to build the project
beginning in 2024. She anticipated in-kind contributions
from the state, but those contributions along with a few
local public-private partnership (PPP) agreements with
industry partners are not yet valued. The city will
contribute land, easements, and right-of-way and
anticipates contributing a portion of the local match. The
$175 million request will cover the Phase 1 construction
cost-share. The remaining funds will help fund Phase 2
design in November 2022, and the local service facilities
design and construction obligation.
1:49:03 PM
TIM SULLIVAN, Director of External Affairs, Alaska Railroad
Corporation, Anchorage, Alaska, spoke in support of the $5
million in SB 166 to provide matching funds. He related his
understanding that there was some confusion at the last
committee regarding the funding for the Seward dock.
CHAIR MYERS held public testimony open on SB 166.
1:50:13 PM
SENATOR SHOWER remarked that food security is essential. He
defined food security as the ability to feed Alaskans
without relying on anyone else. He clarified that the Port
of Alaska actually identified logistic security, which is
the ability to ensure that ships and barges can use the
port facilities. He predicted bond and interest rates would
rise further.
CHAIR MYERS held SB 166 in committee.
SB 150-TRUCK DRIVER APPRECIATION DAY
1:51:03 PM
CHAIR MYERS announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 150
"An Act establishing the second Monday of September of each year
as Truck Driver Appreciation Day."
1:51:23 PM
At ease
1:52:56 PM
CHAIR MYERS reconvened the meeting.
1:53:01 PM
DAWSON MANN, Staff, Senator Robert Myers, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, paraphrased the sponsor statement
on behalf of the sponsor for SB 150.
[Original punctuation provided.]
1:53:28 PM
The continued effects of the Covid-19 pandemic have
illustrated a number of breakdowns in our global
economy and distribution systems. The recent struggles
with the global and state supply chain have led to
growing attention for the unsung backbone of our
modern economy: truck drivers. Almost every industry
in the world requires trucking to keep running. Most
notably, nearly every industry that sells physical
goods needs truck drivers to transport those goods.
Unfortunately, despite their critical role in our
economy, truck drivers have been in short supply with
their ranks ravaged by retirements and resignations as
individuals move to less stressful occupations. Truck
drivers often face various occupational challenges
such as irregular hours, long stints away from home,
and in Alaska hazardous road conditions. Even as the
pandemic slowed many industries and occupations truck
drivers remained hard at work. That is why it is an
important time for Alaska to pay respect and thank the
hundreds of professional truck drivers in our state
for their hard work and commitment in undertaking one
of our economy's most demanding and important jobs.
1:54:47 PM
SB 150 establishes the second Monday of September of
each year as Truck Driver Appreciation Day in
alignment with the National Truck Driver Appreciation
week. The goal of this bill is to codify Alaska's
unique respect for the truck driving industry and
provided appreciation for those who work vigilantly to
keep our shelves stocked.
1:55:11 PM
MR. MANN stated that late last year, Alaskans provided feedback
on the supply chain breakdowns, including sending photos of
empty store shelves in Interior and Southcentral Alaska.
1:56:19 PM
CHAIR MYERS opened public testimony on SB 150.
1:56:45 PM
PHILIP WHITLATCH, Line Driver Supervisor, Crowley Fuel;
Board Member, Alaska Trucking Association, Palmer, Alaska,
spoke in support of SB 150. He stated it is a commonly held
American value to honor those who work for Alaskan/s
benefit and wellbeing. The truck drivers in the state work
to benefit Alaskans. He pointed out that freezing rain in
Anchorage today created hazardous road conditions, yet
truck drivers continued to deliver fuel to their customers.
Further, many drivers spend a lot of time away from home.
He highlighted that if a motorist has an accident on a
lonely stretch of highway, the first responders on the
scene are often truck drivers. He emphasized the importance
of recognizing and honoring truck drivers in Alaska. He
urged members to assist truck drivers by handling other
issues that affect drivers.
1:58:41 PM
RANDY EFIRD, Assistant Terminal Manager, Weaver Brothers,
Anchorage, Alaska, stated that every item in grocery
stores, gas stations, liquor stores, dealerships, and box
stores arrived via a truck driver. If truck drivers did not
deliver goods, consumers would lack necessities in a few
days. This bill will honor truck drivers performing their
jobs.
1:59:30 PM
SAMANTHA BROWN, Manager, United Freight; Board Member,
Alaska Trucking Association, Anchorage, Alaska, stated that
truck drivers deserve recognition for their crucial role in
Alaska's economy. Alaska has skilled, educated truck
drivers who sacrifice so much to perform their work. Truck
drivers are essential but often are not credited for the
recognition they deserve. They work long hours, away from
their families for extended periods, encounter inclement
weather and poor driving conditions, and face obstacles on
a daily basis. Most people don't fully understand the
adversity the drivers face. She noted that Alaska has truck
driver shortages that also adds stress to drivers who work
to meet the demand for goods. Without truck drivers, every
industry and individual in Alaska would be adversely
impacted. She offered her view that SB 150 will show
Alaska's appreciation for truck drivers and help to educate
the general public on the crucial work they perform.
2:00:47 PM
JOE MICHEL, Executive Director, Alaska Trucking Association
(ATA), Anchorage, Alaska, spoke in support of SB 150. This
bill highlights the critical impact and service of the
professional women and men who drive trucks supporting
Alaska's economy every day. It would be difficult to find a
community in Alaska that is not impacted by the
professional work truck drivers perform. He related that
ATA appreciates that the Truck Driver Appreciation Day, the
second Monday of September of each year, aligns with the
National Truck Driver's Appreciation Week. Member companies
have always observed that week by distributing food to
drivers at state weigh stations, among other observances.
He expressed his gratitude for the committee hearing SB
150.
2:01:41 PM
CHAIR MYERS closed public testimony on SB 150.
CHAIR MYERS solicited amendments from members but there
were none.
2:02:00 PM
At ease
2:08:42 PM
CHAIR MYERS reconvened the meeting.
2:08:55 PM
SENATOR SHOWER moved to report HB 150 [in error], work
order 32-LS1277\A from committee with individual
recommendations and attached fiscal note(s).
2:09:09 PM
At ease
2:10:19 PM
CHAIR MYERS reconvened the meeting. He asked Senator Shower
to restate the motion since he misspoke.
[The committee treated it as though the committee had
rescinded the previous motion.]
2:10:24 PM
SENATOR SHOWER moved to report SB 150, work order 32-
LS1277\A from committee with individual recommendations and
attached fiscal note(s).
CHAIR MYERS heard no objection, and SB 150 was reported
from the Senate Transportation Standing Committee.
2:10:55 PM
There being no further business to come before the Senate
Transportation Standing Committee, Chair Myers adjourned
the meeting at 2:10 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 150 v. A Sponsor Statement.pdf |
STRA 2/15/2022 1:30:00 PM |
SB 150 |
| SB 150 v. A Sectional Analysis.pdf |
STRA 2/15/2022 1:30:00 PM |
SB 150 |
| SB 150 Fiscal Note DOT&PF.pdf |
STRA 2/15/2022 1:30:00 PM |
SB 150 |
| SB 150 Support Document- NCSL .pdf |
STRA 2/15/2022 1:30:00 PM |
SB 150 |
| SB 150 Support Document-ATA 2020 National Truck Driver Appreciation Week.pdf |
STRA 2/15/2022 1:30:00 PM |
SB 150 |
| SB 150 Support Document-The New York Times.pdf |
STRA 2/15/2022 1:30:00 PM |
SB 150 |
| SB 150 Support Letter- AMA.pdf |
STRA 2/15/2022 1:30:00 PM |
SB 150 |
| SB 150 Truck Driver AppreciationDay Presentation.pdf |
STRA 2/15/2022 1:30:00 PM |
SB 150 |