SJR 14-FAA FLIGHT SERVICE STATIONS CHAIR HOLM announced that the only order of business would be SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 14, Requesting the Federal Aviation Administration to fully staff and maintain flight service stations in Alaska. Number 0034 HAVEN HARRIS, Staff to Senator Donald Olson, Alaska State Legislature, presented SJR 14 on behalf of the sponsor, Senator Olson. He paraphrased from the following written sponsor statement [original punctuation provided]: SJR 14 is a resolution requesting the Federal Aviation Administration to fully staff and maintain its flight service stations in Alaska. Alaska is a vast state that relies on air transportation for much of its commerce and connectivity. A substantial portion of the State of Alaska does not have the road infrastructure to facilitate the transport of freight and the movement of people. Furthermore, coastal and river communities in Western, Central, and Northern Alaska lose their marine transportation alternative during the 5 to 8 months of winter ice conditions. These communities then are solely dependent on air transportation for travel, goods and emergency services for a substantial part of the year. Furthermore, there is a large number of Alaskans that own and fly airplanes. Indeed, Alaska has the highest percentage of general aviation users per capita in the United States. General aviation users depend on FAA flight service stations to inform them of runway closures and conflicting runway traffic. FAA flight service stations are essential for the continued safety and dependability of Alaska's vital air transportation network. Both commercial and private pilots are totally reliant on the expertise and competence of FAA's flight service personnel. The state of Alaska has over 180 airports that depend on flight service stations for weather updates, runway conditions, and assistance with safe air travel. I respectfully urge your support for this resolution, helping to ensure the safety of air travel in Alaska. Number 0179 REPRESENTATIVE MASEK inquired as to why SJR 14 was introduced. She asked if the FAA is planning on closing some of the flight service stations in Alaska. MR. HARRIS noted that over the years a few flight service stations have been closed. An individual, Phil Brown (ph), affiliated with the FAA fight service stations contacted Senator Olson and informed him that there is the potential for cuts. Number 0256 CHAIR HOLM related his understanding that there are discussions regarding combining some airports. Therefore, he inquired as to how [the flight service stations] would enter into that dialogue. MR. HARRIS clarified that flight service stations aren't at every airport, rather they are centrally organized. For example, much of western Alaska is coordinated through a flight service station in Kenai. Mr. Harris related that the concern isn't necessarily the maintenance of each runway, but rather merely maintaining the services. One of the great services these flight service stations provide is the ability for pilots to call in and find out runway conditions. In further response to Chair Holm, Mr. Harris explained that a flight service station isn't necessarily a runway or airport landing, but rather a building staffed with individuals who track the conditions of all the runways. Number 0415 REPRESENTATIVE STEPOVICH asked if the flight service stations have satellite correspondence to track weather. MR. HARRIS answered that he believes the flight service stations would have the same access as anyone would through the Internet. He explained that when there is construction on a runway, the construction company has to file daily plans and announcements with the flight service station regarding construction and runway damage. Number 0498 REPRESENTATIVE KOHRING moved to report SJR 14 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, SJR 14 was reported from the House Transportation Standing Committee.