HB 79 - Eagle River Veterans' Memorial Highway CHAIR KOHRING announced the next order of business was HOUSE BILL 79, "An Act designating a portion of the Eagle River Loop Road as the Eagle River Veterans' Memorial Highway." Number 1532 REPRESENTATIVE PETE KOTT, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor of the bill, explained that HB 79 is simply naming a portion of Eagle River Loop Road. For those familiar with Eagle River and the Glenn Highway area, the portion being named starts at the overpass (at the Anchorage Landfill) and ends at the corner of the intersection of Eagle River Road and Eagle River Loop Road (where Wal-Mart stands). Representative Kott also mentioned that one of the newer roads in the Eagle River Area was actually an extension of the Eagle River Loop Road and that a portion of this highway is designated at 55 miles per hour. REPRESENTATIVE KOTT commented that this bill is a way of honoring the men and women who have served our country. He went on to say, "We are always looking at taking care of our veterans as best we can with the limited resources that we have available." This is one way, with zero costs, of showing gratitude to those who have fought and died while protecting our freedoms. Alaska has a large number of veterans, when one takes into consideration active duty members, reserves, and the International Guard. Currently, Alaska ranks second per capita, behind Wyoming. The Eagle River/Chugiak Area has a particularly high concentration of veterans in comparison to the rest of the state. This bill provides a name for a portion of the Eagle River Loop Road that runs through this area. CHAIR KOHRING asked if the bill was referring to a co-naming or a renaming of the road. REPRESENTATIVE KOTT confirmed that this bill is not renaming the road. For example, if people were living on this portion of the road, they would not have to change their post office address or print new business cards. CHAIR KOHRING asked if there was a fiscal note attached. He also asked if the only additional signs that would be seen on this road would be the blue ones. CHAIR KOHRING stated that Dennis Poshard from the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities [sitting in the audience] is in agreement about the blue signs. REPRESENTATIVE KOTT stated that he appreciated the committee's consideration on this bill. DENNIS POSHARD, Special Assistant, Office of the Commissioner, Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF), stated that this is the second naming bill that has been before the House Transportation Standing Committee this year. He said that he has testified on naming bills for the past four years, including one of Chair Kohring's bills the previous year. MR. POSHARD voiced his concern that for the last seven years, with the exception of last year, DOT&PF's maintenance budget has been cut. Each year the department has additional burdens placed upon it in terms of the amount of maintenance responsibility it has. MR. POSHARD stated that DOT&PF supports the legislature's right and ability to name things. The DOT&PF supports HB 79 and believes it to be a worthy cause. REPRESENTATIVE OGAN asked if it has been a recent trend for the legislature to name roads. MR. POSHARD stated that in the four years that he has been involved in this area, there have been at least three bills to name roads each year. He pointed out that Titles 35-40 of the statutes contain several locations that have been named through the legislature, including bridges, various roads, and portions of highways. The legislature has named locations for a long time. Although there seems to be a small increase in the number of naming bills each year, it is not a substantial increase. CHAIR KOHRING noted that he appreciated the sponsor advancing this bill; it is a fitting memorial for veterans. Number 1293 REPRESENTATIVE OGAN made a motion to move HB 79 from committee with attached fiscal notes and individual recommendations; he requested unanimous consent. There being no objection, HB 79 moved out of the House Transportation Standing Committee.