Number 312 REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS thanked Representative Davies and Mr. Helfferich, and acknowledged the presence of Representative Hanley, who was to testify as sponsor of SSHB 301. HB 301 - BAN SALE OF SOME STUDDED TIRES AND STUDS Number 315 REPRESENTATIVE MARK HANLEY, Prime Sponsor, introduced SSHB 301 by stating that the wear on roads due to the use of studded tires is documented. He referred to his sponsor statement, which cites the pavement damage per vehicle, per 40,000 miles of travel, to cost between $133 and $266. He added that, particularly in European countries, studies have shown that the use of lightweight studs reduces the wear on the roads by up to 50%, thus illustrating that the weight of the studs contributes greatly to the pavement damage. He said SSHB 301 would require the use of lightweight studs in Alaska, starting in 1998, although he made the point that the date could be moved if necessary -- it wasn't the sponsor's intention to unduly burden merchants. REPRESENTATIVE HANLEY suggested that, though he had been approached about banning studs altogether, he wasn't sure that such an action would be politically feasible; in fact, he added, studies suggest there are significant safety benefits to studded snow tires and the actual reduction in accidents is worth the road wear. He also discussed the hardness of the road relative to the studs and said that Commissioner Campbell may wish to comment on this. Number 387 COMMISSIONER BRUCE CAMPBELL, Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, stated that Representative Hanley had touched on the highlights fairly well, but he wished to add that the safety differences between Scandinavian countries and Alaska is that they basically have only one system of highways, and their highways are essentially all alike, while in Alaska there are certain classes of roads which are interstate or major feeders, and subdivision roads -- the major roads are usually ice free, so the studs do more damage. On bare pavement, studs are less efficient for stopping. COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL added that he wished to have an amendment made regarding the hardness and the diameter, and stressed that this is a good area to compensate for the cuts in the maintenance budget which the Finance subcommittee has indicated are coming. He concluded that, at the moment, a test was being conducted at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, to see if there are alternative solutions; but for now, SSHB 301 is a good compromise. Number 518 REPRESENTATIVE VEZEY asked the commissioner what the hardness of the average aggregate is. Number 520 COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL responded that it is approximately 64 on the Rockwell scale, but that it varies tremendously around the state -- 64 would be the maximum. Number 560 REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS asked Representative Phillips if she wished to testify regarding the stud issue. Number 561 REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS laughed and affirmed Representative Davis' question, stating that she has driven on steel belted all-weather radial tires for the last 26 years, in Southcentral Alaska, and is a firm believer in all-weather radials. She added that she would endorse Representative Hanley's bill as the first step, and certainly a part of improving the budget situation. Number 590 REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS asked Representative Hanley if he had any reaction to the amendment proposed by Commissioner Campbell. Number 594 REPRESENTATIVE HANLEY responded that he had no problem with the diameter clarification, and his only concern was that he doesn't want to get to the point where a game of chicken is being played -- he did not intend to outlaw studs entirely, just to modify the hardness, and not be involved in a roundabout method of outlawing them altogether. Number 601 REPRESENTATIVE HUDSON made the point that this harkened back to the time certain paint was outlawed; none could be sold and yet anyone that had an outdrive ended up shipping it up from Seattle, so that, ultimately, the law was taken off the books again. He concluded that, if the alternate hardness studs were not available, he'd be hesitant to require their use. REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS suggested that hopefully the next committee of referral could research further to see if the hardness factor can be met, and he would like to see the bill moved on. Number 625 REPRESENTATIVE MULDER moved that SSHB 301 be moved from committee with the attached positive fiscal note and individual recommendations. Number 627 REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS asked if there were objections; there were none, and so he declared SSHB 301 to be moved from committee.