SB 129-MATT GLOVER BIKE PATH  1:53:20 PM CHAIR MCCABE announced the last order of business would be SENATE BILL NO. 129, "An Act naming the Matt Glover Bike Path." 1:54:29 PM SENATOR ROBERT MYERS, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor, introduced SB 129. He paraphrased the sponsor statement [included in the committee packet], which read as follows [original punctuation provided]: The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF) is currently working on a paved bicycle/pedestrian path along the Richardson Highway starting near the intersection of Airport Way/Richardson Highway to the Badger Road/Old Richardson Highway intersection. This project will connect two existing paths to create a continuous path between the two cities. For decades, there has been no way for pedestrians to walk or bike safely between Fairbanks and North Pole. This path, referred to as the MP 357-362 Bicycle/Pedestrian Path, will finally connect these two cities and increase pedestrian safety. Currently DOTPF staff are surveying and clearing the project limits, and the project is planned to be done by the fall of 2024. With support from the Fairbanks Cycle Club, this legislation proposes to name the MP 357-362 Bicycle/Pedestrian Path after the late Matt Glover who was an avid cyclist and member of the cycling community. Matt Glover participated in many local rides including the Nenana-Rama, the Chena Hot Springs Bicycle Classic, the Tour of Fairbanks, the Brown Leaf Classic series, the Tanana River Challenge, and the annual Women on Wheels "Butterfly Ride." He inspired many fellow cyclists by traveling to these organized cycling events by bike, participating in the rides, and then cycling back home. His fellow cyclists described him as kind and caring, with a witty sense of humor. He travelled through rain and snow, logging thousands of miles a year traveling between his home in North Pole and work in Fairbanks. Tragically in 2022, Matt Glover passed away after a vehicle collision while on his bike. We believe naming the MP 357-362 Bicycle/Pedestrian Path after Matt Glover will continue to inspire Interior cyclists and foster pedestrian safety on the new continuous pedestrian path between the city of North Pole and Fairbanks. 1:56:55 PM REPRESENTATIVE STUTES referred to a big celebration in Fairbanks, Alaska, and offered her belief it was for naming the path after Mr. Glover. SENATOR MYERS replied that the path had not been named yet, and he added that the path is currently under construction. 1:57:46 PM REPRESENTATIVE VANCE observed there was no fiscal note [reflecting a cost], and she presumed the project already had a cost for signage and the bill would just be naming it. SENATOR MYERS explained that the project is currently under construction and [if] the bill passed this year, the costs can be rolled for signage into the current project. If the bill passed next year, there would be a cost, he said. 1:58:41 PM THERESA WOOLSTAD, Staff, Senator Robert Myers, Alaska State Legislature, on behalf of Senator Myers, prime sponsor, gave the sectional analysis for SB 129 [included in the committee packet], which read as follows [original punctuation provided]: Section 1: Legislative Intent  Establishes that it is the intent of the Legislature that the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities shall create and erect signage dedicating the bike path built in Fairbanks between Airport Way and Badger Road during a future project. Section 2: Dedication of bike path between Airport Way  and Badger Road  Establishes that the bike path shall be named the Matt Glover Bike Path and the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities shall create and erect signage dedicating the bike path. 1:59:14 PM CHAIR MCCABE invited questions from committee members. 1:59:23 PM REPRESENTATIVE MINA commented that she read through letters of support and offered her condolences about Mr. Glover's passing. She said she hoped it would help shift the culture for drivers around the area being mindful of pedestrians. 1:59:52 PM CHAIR MCCABE welcomed invited testifiers. 2:00:28 PM ERIC TROYER, President, Fairbanks Cycle Club, gave invited testimony in support of SB 129. He explained that Mr. Glover was a huge part of the cycling community and one of the most avid cyclists in the area. His dedication to cycling was inspiring, and he commuted regularly between the North Pole and Fairbanks with weather rarely being a deterrent, he said. He related the many organized rides Mr. Glover participated in, and said that aside from his cycling achievements, Mr. Glover was very well-liked by many. He read comments from Mr. Glover's admirers that were sent in. He stated on behalf of the Fairbanks Cycle Club that it is very appropriate to name the new bike pedestrian path after Matt Glover, and that the path would make cycling safer. 2:03:23 PM ARIANE GLOVER, representing self, gave invited testimony in support of SB 129. She stated she is the wife of Matt Glover (indisc.). She spoke of Mr. Glover's bike commute being approximately 120 miles per week, and he would often add additional miles to his ride. Mrs. Glover related how she met Mr. Glover through a hiking club and how their relationship evolved. She shared how Mr. Glover embodied all things that were unique to Alaska. She said there was no place Mr. Glover would rather be than on two wheels, no matter the weather, and added that he lived his life by example. She explained what happened the morning of his accident, and that afterwards she heard countless stories from individuals who had encountered Mr. Glover. She concluded her testimony by asking for the committee's support to move SB 129 in Mr. Glover's memory. 2:09:52 PM CHAIR MCCABE opened public testimony on SB 129. 2:10:47 PM CAMPBELL WEBB, representing self, testified in support of SB 129. He related that he lives off Badger Road in North Pole, Alaska, and often in summer he will commute to work on his bicycle and the only way to get there is to ride on the shoulder of the busy Richardson Highway, which he said is scary and dangerous. He recalled the times he observed Mr. Glover riding his bike and would acknowledge him as a fellow rider. He remembered the morning he came upon flashing lights and the aftermath of an accident. He said he was overwhelmed with emotion upon seeing a "crumpled up bike" but he did not know it was Mr. Glover's at the time. He added that since then, he learned a lot about Mr. Glover and what an inspiration he was to the cycling community and to all who knew him. He restated his support for naming the path after Mr. Glover as a memorial and tribute to him and to cycling in general. He added that personally, he would be grateful for this alternative way to get to Fairbanks when he is biking. He thanked Senator Myers for SB 129. 2:13:38 PM CHAIR MCCABE added that anyone wishing to offer further testimony on the bill or who was unable to testify could email the committee. He noted that there have been a number of emails in support of SB 129. 2:14:20 PM CHAIR MCCABE, after ascertaining no one else wished to testify, closed public testimony on SB 129. He turned to the will of the committee for amendments or to pass the bill. 2:14:34 PM REPRESENTATIVE VANCE moved to report SB 129 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, SB 129 was reported out of the House Transportation Standing Committee.