CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 131(TRA) am "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." 9:03:32 AM REPRESENTATIVE CATHY MUNOZ, explained HB 131. She referred to the Sponsor Statement (copy on file). House Bill 131 creates a Community and Transportation Advisory Board which will assist in the development and procedural recommendations for existing programs of state, federal and local agencies that provide community-based transportation services. Public and community transportation is integral in connecting communities, supporting development and serving our most vulnerable constituents. The designation of this board is a recommendation from the Governor's Coordinated Transportation Task Force which was released in the February 2010 Recommendations Report. The board will continue efforts to address public and community transportation and help fill the gap in transportation for individuals who require more specialized travel - senior citizens, low income individuals, persons with disabilities, and those who are transit-dependent. The board will consist of 13 members from departments within state and local governments, Denali Commission, Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, non-profits, and those with expertise in transportation needs for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and transit-dependent individuals. This broad range of membership will facilitate communication and strategies that will benefit communities of all sizes. HB131 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, Alaska Brain Injury Network, and the Alaska Suicide Prevention Council. Representative Munoz highlighted the fiscal notes attached to HB 131. 9:05:25 AM JEFF OTTESEN, DIRECTOR, PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES (DOT/PF), stated that he was a governor-appointed chairman of the Coordinated Transportation Task-Force for the past three years. He remarked that while serving as chairman, he learned how important coordinated transportation was for all Alaskans. He explained that 11 percent of the Alaska population was in need of coordinated transportation: seniors, individuals with disabilities, and individuals who lack sufficient income to afford an automobile. He stressed that some of the 11 percent were heads-of-household, so there were even more people in the household who were in need of coordinated transportation. He stated that the money that would be integrated into the program would be spread across many different agencies: federal, state, tribal, local, and non-profit. He stressed that the purpose of the commission was to bring together the different agencies, in order to coordinate communication and cohesiveness. Senator Thomas surmised that the HB 131 would change the name of a board, but retain the same mission. Representative Munoz replied that the bill would extend the work of the commission until 2016. Senator McGuire explained that when the omnibus energy bill was drafted, there was a clause that required DOT/PF to look at compressed natural gas as a fuel source. She wondered if there would be consideration for language within the bill to specifically address a more affordable fuel base for public transportation. Representative Munoz replied that she was open to any opportunity to improve efficiencies and use of energy was positive. Mr. Ottesen furthered that he had worked on getting compressed natural gas into the public transportation fleet, so he was an advocate of that issue for many years. Co-Chair Hoffman noted the one previously published zero fiscal note from DOT/PF. 9:10:48 AM MARIE DARLIN, AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED PERSONS, JUNEAU, testified in support of HB 131. She remarked that one of the major issues for seniors is the accessibility to affordable transportation. She felt that there should be a focus of the routing of services; placing and designing of roads; and installing intelligent systems. She remarked that there will continue to be an increasing number of aging Alaskans she face mobility issues. KEVIN GADSEY, SOUTHEAST ALASKA INDEPENDENT LIVING, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), urged support of HB 131. He shared a story about the commission, and remarked that he was impressed with the problem solving techniques that the board was attempting to utilize. RUTH DULIN, SELF, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), testified in support of HB 131. HB 131 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration.