HB 87-ELECTRIC-ASSISTED BICYCLES  1:01:54 PM CHAIR HOPKINS announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 87, "An Act relating to electric-assisted bicycles." 1:02:34 PM ASHLEY CARRICK, Staff, Representative Adam Wool, Alaska State Legislature, presented HB 87 on behalf of Representative Wool, prime sponsor. She reviewed that the proposed bill would add the definition of electric-assisted bicycles to statute so that they can be regulated as bicycles rather than motor vehicles. 1:03:15 PM REPRESENTATIVE CRONK noted one outcome of HB 87 would be to allow electric-assisted bicycles on hunting trails that currently allow bicycles. MS. CARRICK confirmed that is correct. She pointed out, however, that municipalities could choose to ban electric- assisted bicycles from certain trails via ordinance. CHAIR HOPKINS offered his understanding that HB 87 would establish "the electric pedal-assisted bikes as nonmotorized vehicles." He asked for confirmation that currently they are not categorized and could go on those trails. MS. CARRICK responded that's correct. REPRESENTATIVE CRONK mentioned a specific hunting trail, on which he said bicycles currently are allowed, and he expressed concern for the increase in the number of users on that trail, and others, should HB 87 pass, because electric-assisted bicycles, which have motors, would also be used on the trail. He asked whether the sponsor had held conversations with the Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G) on this topic. MS. CARRICK answered that the sponsor has "had conversations in the past" when sponsoring the previous iteration of this legislation, which she indicated was the impetus to limit the legislation to pedal-assisted bikes as opposed to throttle- controlled bikes. The bicycles being defined under HB 87 are those that reach a maximum speed of 28 miles per hour (mph) while being pedaled. She suggested those factors may adequately assuage Representative Cronk's concerns. CHAIR HOPKINS added that electric-assisted bicycles are "fairly quiet." 1:08:01 PM REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE proffered that there is a difference between "motor vehicle," a category from which HB 87 would remove electric-assisted bicycles, and "a motorized vehicle," which he offered his understanding is referenced in ADF&G's hunting regulations; therefore, he surmised that ADF&G's regulation could still prohibit the use of electric-assisted bicycles [on hunting trails]. CHAIR HOPKINS concurred that there is "a way around this." 1:09:12 PM REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN moved to report HB 87 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, HB 87 was reported out of the House Transportation Standing Committee.