Legislature(2025 - 2026)BUTROVICH 205
02/25/2025 01:30 PM Senate TRANSPORTATION
Note: the audio ![]()
and video ![]()
recordings are distinct records and are obtained from different sources. As such there may be key differences between the two. The audio recordings are captured by our records offices as the official record of the meeting and will have more accurate timestamps. Use the icons to switch between them.
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Presentation(s): Alaska Trucking Association 2025 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
February 25, 2025
1:34 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Jesse Bjorkman, Chair
Senator Löki Tobin, Vice Chair
Senator Jesse Kiehl
Senator Bert Stedman
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Mike Shower
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
PRESENTATION(S): ALASKA TRUCKING ASSOCIATION 2025
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
JAMIE BENSON, President
Alaska Trucking Association (ATA)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Co-presented Alaska Trucking Association
2025 Legislative Priorities
DARREN KESSLER, Division Transportation Manager
Odyssey Logistics
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Co-presented Alaska Trucking Association
2025 Legislative Priorities
JOEY CRUM, President
Northern Industrial Training
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Co-presented Alaska Trucking Association
2025 Legislative Priorities
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:34:55 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN called the Senate Transportation Standing
Committee meeting to order at 1:34 p.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Tobin, Kiehl and Chair Bjorkman. Senator
Stedman arrived thereafter.
^PRESENTATION(S): ALASKA TRUCKING ASSOCIATION 2025
PRESENTATION(S): ALASKA TRUCKING ASSOCIATION 2025
1:35:36 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN announced the presentation Alaska Trucking
Association 2025, Legislative Priorities.
1:36:17 PM
JAMIE BENSON, President, Alaska Trucking Association (ATA),
Anchorage, Alaska, introduced herself. She noted two key issues:
funding for staffing and maintenance on the Dalton Highway and
the development of a robust and skilled workforce.
1:36:26 PM
SENATOR STEDMAN arrived.
1:37:26 PM
MS. BENSON advanced to Slide 2 and discussed Alaska Trucking
Association's (ATA) role in the trucking industry:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Our Role in an Essential Industry
• Advocating for the trucking industry as a
collective voice
• Education and Training
• Commercial services
• Networking Opportunities
• Resources and Support
• Safety and Compliance programs
• 100+ member companies
• Represent Land, Sea, and Air
1:38:42 PM
MS. BENSON advanced to Slide 3 and discussed the impact trucking
has on the economy. She emphasized Alaska's dependency on
transport in general, and truck transport in particular.
1:39:33 PM
MS. BENSON advanced to slide 4 and discussed the Dalton Highway,
the 500-mile road that stretches from Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Dalton Highway
• Support a long-term funding plan to maintain and
improve the Dalton Highway
• Fund operating plan for basic staffing of
maintenance crew, equipment and operators
MS. BENSON said hundreds of trucks use this road daily,
transporting materials to the oil and gas industry, among
others. She explained that the Dalton Highway is a dirt road and
needs regular maintenance to ensure safety. She shared a story
and examples to illustrate this.
1:43:08 PM
SENATOR STEDMAN asked for more information about specific
problem areas on the highway. He asked if there have been
improvements and commented that he has heard stories about
severe damage caused to trucks on the Dalton Highway.
1:43:51 PM
DARREN KESSLER, Division Transportation Manager, Odyssey
Logistics, Anchorage, Alaska, said that it typically costs $8
per mile for a wrecker to recover trucks along the highway. He
listed a variety of reasons a truck might break down, some of
which are simple issues. All breakdowns are due to issues with
the highway itself.
1:44:40 PM
MS. BENSON offered a list of mile markers where significant
repair is necessary. She also provided examples of the repair
that is needed at each location. She explained that areas with
paving are more difficult to manage.
1:46:26 PM
SENATOR STEDMAN asked Ms. Benson to submit a list of the
necessary repairs. He indicated that this would be helpful in
discussions with Department of Transportation and Public
Facilities (DOTPF).
1:46:45 PM
MS. BENSON said she would provide this.
1:46:50 PM
MS. BENSON advanced to Slide 5 and continued to discuss the
Dalton Highway:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Dalton Highway
Economic Vitality
• Vital transportation corridor for
• North Slope oil and gas activities
• local communities
• Necessary maintenance allows efficient transport
of supplies and resources
1:47:06 PM
MS. BENSON advanced to slide 6 and continued discussing the
Dalton Highway:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Dalton Highway
Trips per Week
• Lynden companies 135
• Colville 75
• Black Gold Express 70
• Odyssey 27
• Big Dreams Transport 30
*Data compiled January 2025 - not all companies
represented.
MR. KESSLER emphasized that the Dalton Highway is a high traffic
road, and trucks bring necessary services; however, the road
condition makes this difficult.
MR. KESSLER added that drivers have begun to utilize the ice
road between Deadhorse and Utqiagvik.
1:48:38 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN asked who is responsible for building and
maintaining the ice road.
1:48:50 PM
MR. KESSLER shared his understanding that the oil companies are
maintaining the ice road. He explained that utilizing the ice
road is a recent development and is one way Odyssey Logistics is
working to help the community of Utqiagvik.
1:49:22 PM
MS. BENSON advanced to Slide 7 and continued to discuss the
Dalton Highway:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Dalton Highway
Safety for Drivers and Travelers
Regular maintenance = reduced accident risk
• Identify and repair hazardous road conditions
• More truck / bus / RV interactions
MS. BENSON explained that while professional vehicles are
outfitted to drive the Dalton Highway, everyday vehicles (e.g.
SUVs and RVs) are not prepared for the degraded road conditions.
She said that truck drivers stop to assist vehicles that break
down and emphasized the need for road maintenance to ensure
safety.
1:51:02 PM
MS. BENSON advanced to Slide 8 and continued discussing the
Dalton Highway:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Dalton Highway
Infrastructure Longevity
• Cost-Effectiveness: Consistent maintenance
reduces the need for more extensive and expensive
repairs or complete overhauls
• Extended Lifespan: Regular upkeep extends the
lifespan of the highway infrastructure
1:51:35 PM
MS. BENSON advanced to Slide 9 and discussed emergency services
on Dalton Highway:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Dalton Highway
Emergency Response and Accessibility
Critical Access for Emergency Services:
• A well-maintained highway allows timely response
to accidents, medical emergencies, or natural
disasters
Accessibility for Remote Areas:
• Maintenance is essential year-round, remote
communities rely on essential services and
supplies
1:53:04 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN asked about winter maintenance on the Dalton
Highway.
1:53:11 PM
MR. KESSLER replied that winter maintenance is a challenge due
to low staffing. Road closures have caused issues, particularly
for commerce.
1:54:18 PM
MS. BENSON said that ATA has a good relationship with Department
of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF). She emphasized
that the staffing shortage has reached a critical point.
Adequate staffing is essential to ensuring road safety and
project completion.
1:55:35 PM
JOEY CRUM, President, Northern Industrial Training, Palmer,
Alaska, advanced to Slide 10 and discussed workforce
development:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Workforce Development
• Enhancing skill sets: training that equips
drivers with the latest skills and knowledge to
operate safely and efficiently
• Regulatory Compliance: Ongoing education keeps
drivers up to date with industry regulations and
safety standards, reducing legal and operational
risks
MR. CRUM emphasized the importance of workforce development to
the trucking industry. He said that each truck depends on a
variety of other positions in order to run and offered examples.
He explained that the Dalton Highway is challenging and
therefore requires a certain level of driving skill to ensure
safety. He briefly described the required training.
1:57:58 PM
MR. CRUM advanced to Slide 11 and discussed workforce
development programs:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Workforce Development
Current Programs in Alaska
• Alaska Teamsters Apprenticeship Program
• Northern Industrial Training - Professional
Driving Program
• UA Diesel Maintenance Program
• Alaska Vocational Technical Center
• Center for Employment Education
• Alaska Driving Academy
1:58:57 PM
MR. CRUM advanced to Slide 12 and discussed improving safety
standards:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Workforce Development
Improving Safety Standards
• Safer Roads: A well-trained workforce is crucial
for maintaining high safety standards, which
ultimately leads to fewer accidents and safer
roadways.
• Emergency Preparedness: Training programs can
include emergency response and safety protocols,
preparing drivers for unforeseen circumstances
MR. KESSLER emphasized the importance of training when it comes
to both safety and emergency preparedness.
2:00:02 PM
SENATOR STEDMAN stated that CDL training is not readily
available in Southeast communities. He suggested that ATA could
help with this.
2:00:30 PM
MR. KESSLER expressed a willingness to help. He explained that
federal CDL requirements can make it difficult to train and test
in some locations. He said that a new waiver makes it possible
to do CDL exams in those locations.
2:01:43 PM
SENATOR STEDMAN asked for follow-up on the 14 Southeast
communities.
2:01:56 PM
MR. CRUM agreed to follow up.
2:02:00 PM
MR. CRUM advanced to Slide 13 and discussed the ways that ATA is
working to attract younger generations into the workforce.
Workforce Development
Attracting Young Talent
• Career Awareness: Workforce development
initiatives can promote trucking as a viable and
rewarding career path, appealing to younger
generations.
• Promote trade as an alternative to traditional
academic pathways.
2:02:56 PM
SENATOR KIEHL recalled that the CDL age limit was recently
lowered and asked if there has been a noticeable difference in
the number of younger workers entering the workforce.
2:03:19 PM
MR. CRUM answered that there has been some positive movement. He
said that the federal requirement is still 21 years of age for
those working in interstate commerce. He explained that drivers
aged 18-21 can haul gravel or other material produced and
transported in state. He reiterated that there has been an
increase in CDLs for this age group. He surmised that - though
they are initially limited in the work they can do - the lower
age limit ultimately leads to additional opportunities once they
reach 21 years of age.
2:04:13 PM
MR. CRUM advanced to Slide 14 and discussed economic growth:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Workforce Development
Boosting Economic Growth
• Increased Productivity: A skilled workforce
enhances productivity, leading to more efficient
operations and increased profitability for
trucking companies
• Supporting Local Economies: A thriving trucking
industry contributes to the overall economic
health of Alaska by facilitating trade and
commerce
2:04:54 PM
MR. CRUM advanced to Slide 15 and discussed employee retention:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Workforce Development
Retention of Skilled Workers
• Employee Satisfaction: Providing training and
development opportunities leads to higher job
satisfaction and employee retention, reducing
turnover costs
• Career Advancement: Clear pathways for career
growth and advancement can motivate employees to
stay within the industry and in the state long-
term
2:05:07 PM
MS. BENSON said that employee retention improves employee
satisfaction. This leads to long-term career investment and
potentially keeps younger generations in-state.
2:06:43 PM
MR. CRUM returned to Senator Kiehl's question about the lower
age limit for CDL and offered an example to illustrate how CDL
drivers under age 21 are benefitting from those licenses.
2:07:15 PM
MR. CRUM advanced to Slide 16 and discussed the key presentation
takeaways:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Key Takeaways and Objectives
1. Support the trucking industry and its partners
2. Fully fund infrastructure maintenance
3. Higher standards for training programs will
result in a stronger workforce
4. Keep Alaska moving
MR. CRUM offered examples of training programs that positively
influence the trucking industry. This includes individual
training accounts (ITA) within the Department of Labor, the
State Training and Employment Program (STEP) grant, and the
University of Alaska's Retention and Recruitment program. He
concluded by emphasizing the importance of the trucking
industry.
2:10:24 PM
MS. BENSON concurred and said ATA's goal is to keep Alaska
moving.
2:10:42 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN shared that he has heard concerns related to tire
quality and road conditions. He asked either Mr. Crum or Ms.
Benson could share their observations related to tire quality in
winter conditions.
2:11:36 PM
MS. BENSON answered from the perspective of a former
professional driver and a mother. She emphasized the need for
defensive driving standards and winter preparedness. This
includes utilizing the proper tires at the proper time.
2:12:47 PM
MR. CRUM noted his personal experience. He said that tires are
an important tool; poor tires lead to issues with vehicle
performance. He noted various safe driving components. He
emphasized that the most important thing is for drivers to give
the task of driving their full attention.
2:14:20 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Bjorkman adjourned the Senate Transportation Standing
Committee meeting at 2:14 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| ATA Legislative Priorities 2025.pdf |
STRA 2/25/2025 1:30:00 PM |
ATA Legislative Priorities 2025 |
| 20241018 Dalton Highway Conditions Outline.pdf |
STRA 2/25/2025 1:30:00 PM |
ATA Legislative Priorities 2025 |
| 20250225_CDL Information.pdf |
STRA 2/25/2025 1:30:00 PM |
ATA Legislative Priorities 2025 |