HB 182 - APPROP: FAIRBANKS-NOME TRANS. CORRIDOR HB 183 - TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR: FAIRBANKS-NOME Number 567 CHAIR FOSTER requested Representative James to come before the House Transportation Committee and provide the committee with an overview of her legislation, HB 182 and HB 183. Number 570 REPRESENTATIVE JEANNETTE JAMES began her overview of the legislation, saying that HB 182 and HB 183 were intended to initiate preliminary and ultimately result in final action necessary to properly review, identify and survey the best options for establishment of a transportation/utility corridor from the Interior's existing transportation hub to the western area of the Seward Peninsula near Nome. REPRESENTATIVE JAMES stated that the legislation directs the Department of Transportation to perform aerial reconnaissance, photography, interpretation and surveying. She mentioned that the Department of Transportation supports this work. The appropriation for this project is included in HB 182 and will authorize the expenditure of funds necessary to secure this important land use transportation corridor as a step that will move the state forward to a more positive economic future for a very large portion of Alaska. Number 587 CHAIR FOSTER referred to the proposed amendment to HB 183 to delete the language contained in section (e). DELETE on page 2, lines 30 through page 3, line 2: (2) except for contracts necessary under (1) of this subsection, may not contract for surveying, mapping, and engineering and design services; the northern region of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities shall perform all work using personnel employed by that department. Number 505 REPRESENTATIVE VEZEY questioned the intent of the entire section (e) and requested the purpose of it being contained in the legislation. Number 595 REPRESENTATIVE JAMES responded that the language was originally put in as a cost-saving measure and she would have no problem with the language being removed since it has been found that the department may be unable to handle this project and it would be cheaper to contract out. Number 645 CHAIR FOSTER asked Clyde Stoltzfus to come before the committee regarding the deletion of the entire section (e). MR. STOLTZFUS, CHIEF, OFFICE OF STRATEGIC MAGMT., PLANNING & POLICY, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES (DOT/PF), replied that since the work would be cheaper by contract, the department would not oppose the language. Number 650 REPRESENTATIVE MULDER replied that if the DOT/PF had no problems with the deletion of the section, and it could be done more economically, the option for contracting out should be available. Number 659 REPRESENTATIVE MACKIE moved the proposed amendment to delete entire subsection (e) from the original version of HB 183. Number 669 CHAIR FOSTER noted there was no objection, thus the amendment passed. He entertained a motion to moved HB 183 as amended from committee. Number 671 REPRESENTATIVE MULDER moved that CSHB 183(TRA) be passed from committee with individual recommendations. TAPE 92-13, SIDE 1 Number 014 REPRESENTATIVE JAMES referred to the appropriated amount included in HB 182, which was $7,300,300. Number 026 REPRESENTATIVE MENARD referred to the large amount and explained that the Finance Committee could address the fiscal impact of HB 182. Number 033 REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS entertained a motion to move out HB 182 with individual recommendation. Hearing no objections, HB 182 moved from committee with individual recommendations. Number 043 CHAIR FOSTER adjourned the meeting at 6:50 p.m.