SB 59-LOW- SPEED MOTOR VEHICLES  1:58:13 PM CHAIR FRENCH announced the consideration of SB 59. [Before the committee was CSSB 59 (TRA).] WESTON EILER, Staff to Senator Bert Stedman, said SB 59 would amend Alaska statute to allow low-speed electric vehicles access on certain roads with a posted speed limit of 45 mph or less. rather than the current 35 mph. Federal regulation defines low- speed vehicles as those that travel no faster than 25 mph. The bill was drafted to accommodate the growing use of low-speed vehicles in small communities by expanding the miles of road these vehicles can access. The sponsor worked the DOT to address some of the potential issues that might arise by having low- speed vehicles in large urban areas. As such the CS limits the expanded access to communities with a maximum population of 25,000 and not connected by road to Anchorage or Fairbanks. The bill also includes an opt-in provision for communities. 2:00:17 PM The Department of Transportation estimates that the bill would open an additional 30 miles of road in Southeast Alaska communities to low-speed vehicles. For example, the residents of Wrangell could drive low-speed vehicles to their airport. SB 59 promotes sustainable cost-effective transportation and at the same time allows local communities substantial flexibility. SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked the definition of a low-speed vehicle. MR. EILER explained that they are defined in federal regulation, but the gist is that they can travel no faster than 25 mph. Because of their slow speed they aren't required to have certain safety features such as airbags. In response to a question, he said a Toyota hybrid is not a low-speed vehicle. 2:01:52 PM SENATOR THERRIAULT asked if he knows how many low-speed vehicles are in the state because they have to be registered with the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). MR. EILER said yes they are registered with DMV; 19 are currently registered and there's a dealer in Petersburg. SENATOR THERRIAULT asked what crash-test standards they have. MR. EILER offered to provide that information. CHAIR FRENCH noted that Mr. Healy with the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF) and Mr. Springer with DMV are available to answer questions. SENATOR THERRIAULT asked if low-speed vehicles could operate in the core of Fairbanks or Anchorage if the communities wanted to allow that. MR. EILER said he believes that by local ordinance they would be allowed, but he would defer to the drafters. 2:04:06 PM ROGER HEALY, Chief Engineer, Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF), explained that the current statute allows low-speed vehicles on roadways statewide that have posted speed limits of 35 mph or less. He further explained that the existing regulations allow a low-speed vehicle to cross highways with posted speed limits of greater than 35 mph if the crossing is to access another highway that is authorized for low-speed vehicles. 2:05:16 PM SENATOR THERRIAULT asked if the senior population in the City of North Pole could drive one of these vehicles to the grocery store. They would not get on the Richardson Highway so the municipality could make the decision to opt in. MR. HEALY said not in that case because of the connection to the Fairbanks and Anchorage road network. SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI observed that low-speed vehicles would not be allowed in Huston or Willow or Big Lake for the same reason. They're connected to the Fairbanks and Anchorage road network. MR. HEALY said that's correct. SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked what low-speed vehicles are typically used for. MR. HEALY said he understands they are used for short point-to- point trips such as from home to the store and back. SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked the rational behind the provision that excludes these vehicles in communities that are connected by road to Anchorage or Fairbanks. 2:07:19 PM MR. HEALY explained that the provision is a result of discussion between the department and the sponsor. DOTPF's main concern was that data shows that accident potential increases as vehicle speed differential increases. Vehicles traveling on roads that are posted at 45 mph often travel much faster than that. Another concern is that these vehicles would create congestion problems on busy highways and therefore would not contribute to the capacity of the roadway. CHAIR FRENCH noted that the bill is aimed at Sitka, Petersburg, Wrangell and any little island communities, and asked what other communities would be affected. SENATOR THERRIAULT said they'd be allowed in all of rural Alaska that isn't connected. 2:09:54 PM MR. HEALY added that the language in the CS has an opt-in provision for local communities with a population of less than 25,000. In the unorganized borough these vehicles are allowed on highways outside city boundaries. Cities within the unorganized borough such as Nome and Bethel retain the option. CHAIR FRENCH asked if there is a list of communities that would qualify under the exception in subparagraph (B). After some discussion he deferred his question. 2:12:11 PM SENATOR THERRIAULT noted that Northway, which is a community that is off the Alaska Highway, wouldn't be able to have these vehicles. CHAIR FRENCH said Talkeetna would be similarly excluded. MR. HEALY explained that there isn't a restriction on their use in either of those communities as long as the existing speed limit is below 35 mph. It's the same for Anchorage or Fairbanks; the restriction applies just if the speed limit is greater than 35 mph. 2:13:30 PM GERALD HERBRANDSON, representing himself, stated support for SB 59. His company, Solar Wind, specializes in alternative energy products including electric vehicles. In Petersburg there are 9 of these vehicles and about 19 statewide. Basically these are small slow speed cars that look somewhat similar to a VW bug. One difference is that they don't have certain safety features such as airbags. In small communities most trips are to the grocery store, the post office or the school and that is hard on gasoline or diesel powered engines because they don't warm up. In contrast, electric vehicles are designed for this that kind of trip. They're simple, efficient, and economical to operate, he said. CHAIR FRENCH asked what his cars cost. MR. HERBRANDSON said between $16,000 and $18,000. Operational costs are minimal and maintenance is low. 2:16:58 PM SENATOR THERRIAULT asked where the vehicles are manufactured. MR. HERBRANDSON said he sells Miles vehicles. They are Japanese vehicles that are assembled in China, modified in California and adapted for use in Alaska. 2:17:48 PM MEGAN PASTERNAK, representing herself from Sitka, said she has been a low-speed electric vehicle owner and driver for more than a year. SB 59 is about more than just cheap transportation; it is a much needed step to help eliminate pollution and protect the environment. She is a very conscientious driver and is sure other low-speed vehicle drivers are similarly conscientious. Her understanding of why they are safe is that they are lightweight and "when involved in a crash they tend to bounce away rather than take the full impact force." 2:20:50 PM CHAIR FRENCH closed public testimony and announced he would hold SB 59 in committee.