CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 63(TRA) An Act relating to road signs encouraging the use of safety belts. 3:31:29 PM CHERYL SUTTON, STAFF, SENATOR BEN STEVENS, explained that SB 63 would encourage posting signs promoting the use of safety belts. The legislation allows the Department of Transportation & Public Facilities to erect and maintain signs at the site of a motor vehicle accident where a fatality occurred as a result of failure to use a safety belt. Representative Croft asked if the Department needed the bill to grant such authority. Ms. Sutton responded that the Department does not have the authority to add the name to the signage. She explained the story of Nathan Kampen. 3:33:58 PM Co-Chair Meyer asked the cost per sign. NORA WILSON, LEGISLATIVE LIAISON, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC FACILITIES, introduced herself and said it would cost $500 per sign. Ms. Sutton noted that the number of deaths last year in Alaska was approximately 39 from not wearing seat belts. Co-Chair Meyer asked about the fiscal note. Ms. Sutton pointed out that posting would only occur for those persons requesting the signs. Co-Chair Meyer noted that Representative Croft had asked if it could be done through regulation rather than legislation. Ms. Wilson replied that the legislation had been the vehicle presented and that the Department supports a statute change. 3:35:41 PM Vice-Chair Stoltze referenced Page 1, Lines 11 & 12 and the types of signs that could be put in place. Ms. Wilson responded that language maintains the right of the Department to guarantee once the sign is placed, that it abides with sign posting criteria. MARK NEIDHOLD, CHIEF, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC FACILITIES, agreed it is important to follow standards when erecting the signs, while not infringing on the Department's right to manage those standards. 3:37:53 PM Vice-Chair Stoltze opined that the scope of the bill appeared too broad. Mr. Neidhold noted that the current Alaska Administrative Code language for the Alaska Memorial Program specifies the sign information and requirements. It is the Department's expectation that there would only be one additional sign. 3:39:49 PM Representative Kelly referenced Page 1, Line 9, and asked if the verbiage should instead say "likely". Ms. Sutton acknowledged the concern had been raised in the House Transportation Committee and referred to the "Public Safety on Traffic Accident Statistics" handout. (Copy on File). Representative Hawker was appalled that a grieving family could not be accommodated within the regulatory authority of the Department and that such a request had to come before the Legislature. Representative Croft suggested that it be addressed through regulation. Ms. Wilson reported that she has had the conversation with the sponsor's office and that they would support the bill either way. Some have indicated that a statute change might be faster. Representative Croft asked if the Department would issue regulations to implement the bill. Ms. Wilson acknowledged that they would have to. She reiterated the Department's support of the bill. 3:44:04 PM Co-Chair Meyer asked if Nathan Kampen was a constituent of Senator Stevens. Ms. Sutton replied yes. Representative Foster MOVED to REPORT SB 63 out of Committee with individual recommendations and with the accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. SB 63 was reported out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with indeterminate note #1 by the Department of Transportation & Public Facilities. 3:45:25 PM