HB 131-COMMUNITY AND TRANSPORTATION ADV. BOARD  1:49:49 PM CHAIR P. WILSON announced that final order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 131, "An Act establishing the Alaska Community and Public Transportation Advisory Board and relating to a long- range community and public transportation plan; and providing for an effective date." 1:50:24 PM KENDRA KLOSTER, Staff, Representative Cathy Munoz, Alaska State Legislature, stated that the bill would create an Alaska Community and Public Transportation Advisory Board. This would assist in the development and procedural recommendations made by the Governor's Coordinated Transportation Task force in February 2010. Transportation is important to communities. This board will continue efforts to address state, federal, and local community-based transportation services. The board will continue efforts to address public and community transportation and help fill the gap in transportation for people who require more specialized travel, including senior citizens, low income individuals, persons with disabilities, and those who are transit-dependent. The Community and Transportation Advisory Board would consist of 13 members from departments within state and local governments, the Denali Commission, the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, nonprofits, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and transit-dependent individuals. This broad range of membership could help facilities communication and strategies that will benefit communities of all sizes. This bill has support from the Alaska Mobility Coalition, the Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education, Advisory Board on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, the Alaska Commission on Aging, Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, the Alaska Brain Injury Network, Suicide Prevention Council and the AARP. MS. KLOSTER stated that the board's expenses will be similar to the task force currently in place. The Federal Transit Administration funding provides 90 percent of the $110,000. The state will provide matching funds and an additional 10 percent of the funding is provided by the Alaska Mental Health Trust. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG remarked that he was glad this bill was introduced. 1:53:14 PM JEFF OTTESEN, Director, Division of Program Development, Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF), deferred to Eric Taylor, who prepared the fiscal note. ERIC TAYLOR, Statewide Plan & Transit, Division of Program Development, Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF), stated that he prepared the fiscal note. 1:53:45 PM CHAIR P. WILSON asked what portion of the funding is derived from federal funds. MR. TAYLOR estimated the Community and Transit Advisory Board funding would be as follows: $90,000 from the Federal Transit Administration for program planning, $10,000 in state matching funds, and $10,000 from the Alaska Mental Health Trust Fund. In response to Chair P. Wilson, Mr. Taylor explained that typically the Federal Transit Authority requires a 20 percent match. The DOT&PF generally uses planning funds. The state receives approximately $6.8 million to support rural transit and community transportation programs. 1:56:16 PM CHAIR P. WILSON asked if the project would require additional staff. MR. TAYLOR answered that the DOT&PF foes not anticipate needing any additional staff. 1:56:55 PM REPRESENTATIVE PRUITT asked if $90,000 represents additional funds from the federal government or if the funds would be shifted towards this program. MR. OTTESEN explained that part of the funds is deliberately set aside for planning. This is funding that pays for the planning task. For the past two years, the department has used the planning funding to conduct the work of the Governor's Task Force. This would create a permanent commission rather than a temporary task force. This funding would not change the effort but would carry forward the funding into future years. He recalled the DOT&PF has a difficult time spending all of the spending funding and typically returns some to the federal government. REPRESENTATIVE PRUITT asked whether the DOT&PF anticipates the same level of planning funding. MR. OTTESEN answered yes. He said if anything the federal transit funding appears to be on a growth curve. In response to Chair P. Wilson, Mr. Ottesen explained that the Governor's Coordinated Transportation Task Force has operated for a little more than one year. The previous task force was in place for about 15 months, with a gap in between. He currently chairs the existing Governor's Coordinated Transportation Task Force. He stressed that additional work needs to be done. He elaborated that coordinated transportation is about spending dollars more wisely. He stated that about 60 categories of federal funding provide transportation for injured veterans, senior citizens, persons with disabilities or who are low-income. He said it does not make sense to have all those vehicles running around, each carrying a fraction of the population, without any coordination in dispatch or motor pool. The federal government has been pushing coordinated transportation to try to reduce the spending from so many sources. 1:59:34 PM CHAIR P. WILSON asked for clarification on the federal funding in Alaska, whether it is provided in a lump sum or is parceled out to various agencies. MR. OTTESEN answered that the state receives Federal Transit funding in different categories, with different eligibility requirements. The DOT&PF is the only recipient of transit funds. The rest of the funding is distributed through other agencies, such as the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) or the Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs (DMVA). He said other separate agencies are working to ensure that coordination since everyone benefit. He said thus far the effort cuts across the silos of state government local government since they provide services for nonprofits. "Organizations tend to stay in their silos," he said. 2:00:28 PM CHAIR P. WILSON asked whether Governor's Coordinated Transportation Task Force will be consolidated into one area, such as DOT&PF, and bill other agencies or if the service will still be in individual agencies. MR. OTTESEN provided a "rose colored vision" such that a client from one program would use a smart card to access the coordinated vehicle the card would be read and billed back to the respective agency, including that the Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs for a disabled veteran. He anticipated that the service would be seamless and transparent, with a computer system handling the details of the charges. 2:02:03 PM REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG referred to page 2 of the DOT&PF's fiscal note. He said that the bill establishes the board, but then it says the bill increases the size of the board. MR. OTTESEN related that the new board is functionally the equivalent of the Governor's Coordinated Transportation Task Force, which was established by administrative order. 2:02:55 PM REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG referred to page 2, lines 19-20 of HB 131, which identifies one board member shall be a member who represents municipalities that operate modes of public transportation. He suggested that it may be advisable to have two members since the needs of small and large communities vary. He reiterated his support to add an additional member so the board would be a 14 member board. He asked whether six communities operate transportation. MR. TAYLOR answered that nine communities operate transportation systems in the state. 2:04:11 PM REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG asked for the population of the communities since it seems that smaller communities' needs are different than those of Anchorage. He then referred to page 3, line 7 of HB 131, noting that the board could petition the governor to remove a member if the member misses two or more meetings in a calendar year. He suggested adding "or is otherwise unable to serve." MR. OTTESEN related the DOT&PF is neutral on bill. He understood the logic. REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ said that would be okay. 2:05:30 PM REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON appreciated the suggested change, but he pointed out that the member serves at the pleasure of the governor so he was unsure that the clarification was needed. He explained that extenuating circumstances may require a person to miss meetings. He said he is comfortable giving the governor the authority. CHAIR P. WILSON suggested that Representative Gruenberg work with the sponsor. 2:06:59 PM REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON asked how the proposed board composition correlates to the task force. MR. TAYLOR related some differences exist in terms of the state agency representation. The current task force includes a representative from the Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development and the Department of Education and Early Development (DOEED) but does not include the Denali Commission. CHAIR P. WILSON commented that she could understand adding the Denali Commission. MR. OTTESEN related the members include a representative from the nonprofit provide services and from a scheduled transit service, a smaller nonprofit in Kenai, a tribal run transit system in Sitka. He expressed some people attend but are not specifically members of the task force. 2:08:54 PM REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON asked whether the DOEED also has any funding sources. MR. OTTESEN answered that the idea of the Department of Education and Early Development is largely due to their funding for school buses. In some systems, the school buses are incorporated into the idea of coordinated transportation. He stated that raises some practical issues since school buses transport children, school buses typically are not equipped with seatbelts. Some states have used school buses successfully. REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON agreed that school buses are not used for portions of the day so it may offer a way to better utilize the asset. 2:10:13 PM REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG expressed concern that 90 percent of the funding for the proposed board is federally funded. The state cannot expect the same level of federal funding to continue. He recalled that the legislature sometimes requires a report from the department to the legislature in the event that funding changes are significant. He asked for the department's view on adding a fiscal note to require the department to notify the legislature if federal funding changes. MR. OTTESEN answered that he could not imagine adding a fiscal note to provide that type of information. He agreed that federal funding is chaotic and difficult to predict. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG recalled whether seatbelts in school buses is an emerging issue. CHAIR P. WILSON suggested that is a different topic. CHAIR P. WILSON related her understanding that if funding changed the DOT&PF would bring it up during budget deliberations. MR. OTTESEN agreed. 2:13:41 PM DAVID LEVY, Executive Director, Alaska Mobility Coalition (AMC), stated he currently is attending a National Transit Conference in Washington, D.C. He offered the AMC is a private nonprofit membership organization that advocates for statewide public and community transportation. He related that the AMC's membership includes members from Bethel, Prince of Wales Island and "everything in between." He explained that its 97 members provide Alaskans over 7,000,000 rides to work, school, medical appointments, shopping, and for recreational opportunities. He offered the AMC's support for HB 131. The AMC has worked closely with the DOT&PF and the governor the current Coordinated Transportation Task Force. Transportation in Alaska is unique and the state needs a long-term committee to coordinate with many silos that offer transportation. He characterized HB 131 as a good first step. He expressed excitement for a permanent board to oversee statewide public and community transportation. 2:16:11 PM REPRESENTATIVE FEIGE asked whether any federal monies are available to individual municipalities. MR. LEVY related that four municipally run transit systems: Anchorage, Fairbanks, Ketchikan, and Juneau. A number of local nonprofits, tribal governments, and everything in between provide transportation services. A local community could apply and Mr. Taylor could provide information on that process. He offered his belief that local communities and local governments have to make that investment. He recognized the cost associated in doing so. Communities all over the state are realizing they need to figure out how to move people. Many nonprofits and tribal entities have stepped up to provide services, including the senior center in Kodiak and combined tribal and nonprofit service in Sitka, he said. 2:18:00 PM REPRESENTATIVE FEIGE asked how many state transportation systems are profitable self-supporting or if the systems require continued funding. MR. LEVY related that most transit systems in Alaska, as elsewhere, require some type of subsidy. In most instances local or nonprofit organizations raise funds and partner with federal, local, or tribal partnerships to survive. REPRESENTATIVE FEIGE asked whether the organizations can survive without subsidies. MR. LEVY pointed out this is one of the challenges, that all forms of transportation ranging from ferries to public road systems need some type of subsidy. He offered his belief that many nonprofits and communities have been creative in addressing funding. In response to Representative Johnson, Mr. Levy indicated the statewide transportation system provides 7,000,000 trips per year or almost 10,000 trips per day. 2:19:42 PM REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON asked how many people that represents. MR. LEVY offered to provide the committee with a breakdown by community based on figures from an annual statewide survey. 2:20:34 PM REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ related her understanding that nine communities have public transit. She asked for a list of the combined nonprofit and tribal entities. MR. LEVY answered yes. He said he has a list of state recognized transit systems in Alaska that receive pass through federal funds awarded through the competitive bid process. 2:21:44 PM MARIE DARLIN, Coordinator, AARP Capital City Task Force, referred to a letter of support from the AARP in members' packets. She related her understanding that this recommendation comes from the Governor's Coordinated Transportation Task Force. She reported that she has heard at Alaska Commission on Aging meetings about the work the task force has accomplished. The Alaska Commission on Aging conducted a survey to plan how senior services would be addressed. One of the biggest statewide issues raised was the need for transportation and the need for coordination of transportation services, particularly in rural areas. Alaska is one of the few states without a community transportation task force such as the one HB 131 would create. She emphasized that was the point the survey identified, which is the need more coordination in our communities. MS. DARLIN commented that transportation funding is derived from many sources, such as the funding from the Older Americans Act funding is directed to the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS). The DHSS provides grants to various nonprofit to provide transportation services. She stressed the necessity of providing coordination of transportation services. She commended the work of the Governor's Coordinated Transportation Task Force. She expressed her hope the work will continue by a commission who could consider the broader perspective and actively coordinate the activities and the funding. She emphasized that the board should also promote public participation from consumers, including senior citizens, disabled persons, and low income individuals. She said the overall plan will serve all of the groups and communities. She supported the concept of community transportation with substantial community input to identify the needs. 2:26:30 PM CHAIR P. WILSON pointed out her own experience traveling to Bethel and smaller surrounding communities. She said she did not understand how disabled people could get around without cars, on boardwalks, or in muddy conditions. MS. DARLIN remarked that each community is different. She recalled that the Commission on Aging made the same observations in Bethel. She commented that some people could not get to meals at the senior center. Although the community is working on this, the issues are problematic, she said. KATHIE WASSERMAN, Executive Director, Alaska Municipal League (AML), introduced herself. 2:28:23 PM REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG referred to page 2, lines 19-20 of HB 131 to the membership of board. He asked for her input on whether the composition was adequate. MS. WASSERMAN offered that when the AML is invited to serve on task force or group, the AML meets and collectively decides who could best serve on a particular board. She stated that her members have the ability to represent communities of varying sizes. She did not think it was necessary to fill the proposed task force with additional members. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG expressed concern that but seems like one could perform. MS. WASSERMAN answered yes. She stated that at times a specific municipality expresses interest in serving. She related that the AML also meets telephonically to discuss individual communities' concerns. CHAIR P. WILSON left public testimony open on HB 131. [HB 131 was held over.]