CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 258(FIN) "An Act directing the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to develop and implement standards and operating procedures, to evaluate site-specific use plans, and to designate project areas concerning gravel or other aggregate material containing naturally occurring asbestos; authorizing use on an interim basis of gravel or other aggregate material containing naturally occurring asbestos for certain transportation projects and public facilities; providing immunity for the state and for landowners, extractors, suppliers, transporters, and contractors for certain actions or claims arising in connection with the use of gravel or aggregate material containing naturally occurring asbestos in certain areas; requiring contractors to report certain asbestos- related data to the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities; and providing for an effective date." 9:25:47 AM REPRESENTATIVE REGGIE JOULE, introduced HB 258. He referred to the Sponsor Statement (copy on file). HB 258 authorizes and regulates the use of gravel or aggregate material that contains naturally occurring asbestos (NOA). There are documented cases of NOA being found in several areas of the state, including Juneau, along the Dalton Highway and Ambler. Discovery of NOA in local gravel pits has delayed and, in Ambler's case, halted construction projects. The use of NOA in construction projects may be regulated by states. Virginia and California have been regulating NOA for many years. With the passage of HB 258, the discovery of NOA in local gravel sources and the cost of transporting non-NOA gravel and material will not impact the success and completion of construction projects and important future state infrastructure in Rural Alaska. Several large projects are on the state's horizon that will require the use of large amounts of gravel. These large projects are in mineral rich areas of the state critical to the future development of Alaska. Most notably, it is estimated that the gas pipeline alone may use 50 to 60 million cubic yards of new gravel. Many miles of the Dalton Highway will be reconstructed in support of the project, requiring additional gravel. In Rural Alaska, almost all airport construction and upgrades require material from local gravel sources; a new small airport can use up to 25,000 cubic yards of gravel. The use of NOA gravel and materials should be resolved before it becomes an issue during the actual construction process of any of these large future projects. HB 258 directs the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to develop and implement statewide regulations and standard operating procedures (SOP) to allow for the use of NOA for both State and private construction projects. HB 258 will balance the needs of moving Alaska forward; building critical infrastructure, completing construction projects while protecting the health of Alaskan workers and communities. Senator Olson wondered if there would be similar immunity clauses to California's legislation. BRODIE ANDERSON, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE REGGIE JOULE, replied that the program was voluntary, so the immunity went further than California's program. ELIZABETH HENSLEY, NANANA REGIONAL CORPORATION, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), testified in support of HB 258. 9:32:25 AM MORGAN JOHNSON, MAYOR, CITY OF AMBLER, AMBLER (via teleconference), testified in support of HB 258. He remarked that the dust problem had inhibited many projects since 1998. Co-Chair Hoffman noted the three previously published zero fiscal notes and three previously published fiscal impact notes. Representative Joule thanked the committee for hearing the bill. He remarked that there were many communities that deal with dust particles, because the cost of dust- abatement in rural Alaska was very expensive. He felt that the dust without the naturally occurring asbestos was more of a hazard to an individual's health, than what was intended with HB 258. HB 258 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration.