HB 230-NAMING ARCTIC MAN WAY  1:14:45 PM CO-CHAIR HUGHES announced that the first order of business would be House Bill No. 230, "An Act designating Pipeline Road 34-ALP- 3 as Arctic Man Way." 1:15:02 PM REPRESENTATIVE COLVER, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor, presented HB 230, regarding the Arctic Man Ski and Snow classic ("Arctic Man"). He paraphrased from the sponsor statement, which read as follows [original punctuation provided]: This Act designates Trans-Alaska Pipeline Access Road 34-ALP-3 at mile 197.5 of the Richardson Highway as Arctic Man Way in honor of the historic Arctic Man Race held in the HooDoo Mountains every April for the past 30 years. The Arctic Man is one of the World's Toughest Downhill Ski races, and an exciting snowmobile race, all in one. The skier begins at a summit elevation of 5,800 feet and drops 1700 feet in less than two mile to the bottom of a narrow canyon where he meets up with his snowmobiling partner. The snowmobiler meets the skier, on the go, with a tow rope and pulls the skier 2 1/4 miles uphill at top speeds of up to 86 mph. The skier and the snowmobile then separate and the skier goes over the side of the second mountain and drops another 1200 feet to the finish line. This race brings together thousands of spectators and participants from all over the world. Legend has it that the race began as a result of a bet wagered between skiers and snow machine riders, and was later developed into an annual race by Howard Thies. The Arctic Man Race has also adopted other family events, creating a festive atmosphere for both spectators and participants. Pipeline Road 34-ALP-3 leads to the area where the race is held annually, and therefore will be aptly renamed as Arctic Man Way. 1:18:20 PM REPRESENTATIVE COLVER directed attention to the committee packet to highlight a photo of then gubernatorial candidate, Bill Walker, participating in the 2014 race, and the fiscal note for $200 from the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF). A land use permit issued by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for the area used for parking during the festival, he explained, and the Arctic Man organization has agreed to purchase the road sign and contribute to the installation cost. CO-CHAIR FOSTER noted the discrepancy between the cost of the fiscal note and the cost quoted in the letter from the organizations President, Howard Thies. He offered his assumption that the difference might be attributable to the labor costs. REPRESENTATIVE COLVER clarified that the initial, DOTPF estimate was $800-$1,000, which the Arctic Man organization pledged to fund, as indicated in the letter from Howard Thies, President, dated 2/8/16 [available in the committee packet]. He explained that, given an existing post for mounting the sign, the cost was able to be reduced. Representative Colver said signage would conform to highway standards and DOTPF specifications. 1:20:50 PM CO-CHAIR HUGHES questioned why the fiscal note covers materials and doesn't include installation costs, and asked for the sponsor's assurance, guaranteeing the amount represented. REPRESENTATIVE COLVER responded that there would be no expectations for the state to cover the cost of the sign or installation. CO-CHAIR HUGHES questioned whether the Arctic Man organization would still be willing to cover costs exceeding the $200 fiscal note. Additionally, she asked if the legislature is allowed to name a road without installing associated signage. REPRESENTATIVE COLVER offered his assumption that the legislature could nominate naming/renaming for any facility, but whether or not a sign is required presents a separate issue. He stated his understanding that under HB 230 the legislature is simply recognizing a name, and that the official name would remain [Pipeline Road 34-ALp-3]. CO-CHAIR HUGHES questioned whether public safety is a concern. REPRESENTATIVE COLVER answered yes. He explained that the area is through a mountain pass and the road can easily be missed, especially in times of inclement weather, which frequently occurs between Delta Junction and Glennallen. He said a sign could help prevent people unfamiliar to the area from getting lost as well as help direct emergency responders. He said that the Alaska State Trooper presence has been scaled back to the current fiscal situation faced by the state. 1:25:38 PM CO-CHAIR HUGHES pondered how the sign would be positioned and its visibility to drivers traveling at high speed on the Richardson Highway. REPRESENTATIVE COLVER explained that the plan is to install a standard road marker sign and not an early indicator sign. He said the road north of Paxson was built to the original standards and, thus, is very narrow; DOTPF is working to complete incremental upgrades. The area represents a very difficult stretch of highway which is closed at times for various reasons. He pointed out that double tanker trucks frequently traverse the Richardson Highway between Valdez and the North Pole refinery and there have been a number of accidents, as well as oil spills. Upgrading the corridor to meet public safety standards is an anticipated priority. 1:28:41 PM HOWARD THIES, President, Arctic Man Ski and Snow Classic, said the 2016 marks the event's thirty-first anniversary, and that it is the primary fundraiser for the organization. CO-CHAIR HUGHES asked whether Arctic Man would cover the cost for signage, should it exceed the current $200 fiscal note. 1:30:04 PM MR. THIES explained that the board met and approved the expense. He expressed concern that the sign may be stolen, as it represents a piece of memorabilia. CO-CHAIR HUGHES asked if Arctic Man is willing to help maintain the sign and assure that there are no costs to DOTPF. MR. THIES stated that as long as the sign doesn't go missing once a week, the organization is happy to help with any associated maintenance costs. CO-CHAIR HUGHES announced that HB 230 would be held over.