SB 372-TRANSPORTATION BONDS  MR. DON SMITH, staff to the Senate Transportation Committee, informed members that SB 372 would put a proposal before the voters on the November 2002 ballot to fund 14 transportation projects around the state through the sale of bonds. He listed the 14 transportation projects listed in the legislation and said the total cost will be just over $160 million. SENATOR WARD moved to adopt Amendment 1, which would delete the existing item number (10) on page 2, line 28, and insert a new item number (10) Eagle River, Old Glenn Highway MP 0-18.7. The amendment would also add item number (15), the Matanuska-Susitna Fairview Loop Path for $1,310,000 and item (16), which would be the Nash Road Rehabilitation project in Seward for the amount of $2,605,000. SENATOR ELTON objected for the purpose of discussion and asked for an explanation of why the Trunk Road was being dropped and new projects added. SENATOR WARD explained that the new projects are a higher priority of the Senators from those areas who have a better knowledge of what is needed. He said that Mile 0-18.7 on the Old Glenn Highway travels up toward the Knik River and is a part of the old Alcan Highway. It has not been improved since the new highway was built. He added that item (15) was requested by the Senator from that area, who said it is a high priority. He said, regarding item 16, the Nash Road Rehabilitation is one of Seward's highest priorities. SENATOR ELTON pointed out that the adoption of Amendment 1 will require a title change. SENATOR WARD moved a conceptual amendment to adjust the title to reflect the new appropriation amounts and asked for unanimous consent. CHAIRMAN COWDERY noted that Amendment 1 was not yet adopted. SENATOR WARD withdrew his conceptual amendment. CHAIRMAN COWDERY asked if there was continued objection to adopting Amendment 1. There being none, Amendment 1 was adopted. SENATOR WARD moved to change the title of SB 372 as amended to reflect the new dollar amount resulting from the adoption of Amendment 1. CHAIRMAN COWDERY announced that without objection, the title would be changed. SENATOR ELTON moved to adopt Amendment 2. SENATOR WARD objected. SENATOR ELTON explained that Amendment 2 would add a total of $35 million for the fast ferry project. If adopted, the bill title would have to be adjusted again. He informed members that one fast ferry has been approved; Amendment 2 would allocate dollars for a second fast ferry. Amendment 2 would require changes on page 2, lines 10 and 21 (to add a project description), page 3, line 6, and page 4, line 1. CHAIRMAN COWDERY noted that objection was maintained therefore a roll call vote was taken. The motion to adopt Amendment 2 failed with Senator Elton in favor and Senators Ward, Wilken and Cowdery opposed. CHAIRMAN COWDERY noted that no one else wished to testify on the bill as amended. SENATOR WILKEN asked if the other body was deliberating companion legislation. [No response was audible.] SENATOR WARD moved SB 372 as amended, CSSB 372(TRA), from committee with individual recommendations. CHAIRMAN COWDERY announced that people were waiting to testify via teleconference. SENATOR WARD withdrew his motion to move CSSB 372(TRA) from committee. CHAIRMAN COWDERY took public testimony. MR. KEVIN RITCHIE, Alaska Municipal League (AML), thanked the committee for taking action on the bill. MR. MIKE SCOTT, representing the Municipality of Anchorage and the AML, thanked members for introducing the bill and said a statewide transportation package is an AML priority. There being no further testimony, SENATOR WARD moved CSSB 372(TRA) from committee with individual recommendations. CHAIRMAN COWDERY announced that without objection, CSSB 372(TRA) moved from committee. SENATOR TAYLOR asked if the funding for the three roads in Anchorage will amount to $88 million, while the road resurface in Ketchikan will amount to $600,000. CHAIRMAN COWDERY noted the bill also contains $5.5 million for a road in Sitka. SENATOR TAYLOR said that road was supposed to have been built already as it was funded once in the past. SENATOR ELTON said his eyes must be getting old as he didn't see any Juneau projects listed. CHAIRMAN COWDERY announced that with no objection, the bill moved from committee.