SB 129-MATT GLOVER BIKE PATH  1:38:43 PM CHAIR KAUFMAN announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 129 "An Act naming the Matt Glover Bike Path." This bill was previously introduced in committee on May 4, 2023. The intention is to take public testimony and look to the will of the committee. 1:38:59 PM SENATOR ROBERT MYERS, District Q, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, sponsor of SB 129, explained that currently the Department of Transportation is building a bike path from Badger road to the Fairbanks area, where presently there is no bike or pedestrian path; this would be the first time connecting the two areas. The bike path should be complete by summer and is honoring Matt Glover, who was an avid cyclist and well known in the Fairbanks Cycling Club. Mr. Glover lived in North Pole area, worked for the Alaskan Railroad and biked to work every day. In October 2022 he was tragically killed in a crash on the Richardson highway while riding to work. Naming the path is an appropriate honor to him and a reminder about safety for cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists on the roads, which is a growing concern around Alaska. 1:41:05 PM SENATOR TOBIN asked Mr. Mills about the fiscal note. She pointed out the two naming signs to be placed on either end of the bike path and asked how the signs will be covered by a future project in terms of fiscal impact. 1:41:33 PM ANDY MILLS, Legislative Liaison, Department of Transportation (DOT), Juneau, Alaska, replied that because the department has an existing project at that site, the signage would be covered under that project. 1:42:14 PM SENATOR TOBIN asked about the replacement timeframe for the signage. 1:42:24 PM MR. MILLS responded that normally the signage has a lifecycle dependent on where it is and its future replacement would be covered by the department's sign replacement program; in this case because the signage is covered by the existing active project, there is no additional cost and future cost would be accounted for. 1:43:00 PM CHAIR KAUFMAN opened public testimony on SB 129. 1:43:08 PM CELIA STAPLES, representing self, Family Relation to Matt Glover, Kansas, thanked Senator Myers for bringing this bill forward. She expressed her hope that committee members understand why it is important. She affirmed that Mr. Glover was an avid bike rider, riding 1000 miles per year. She said he will always be her son-in-law and described him as kind, thoughtful, generous, and helpful to those in need. He had an impact on Fairbanks and the whole community. She contended that this path comes too late for Mr. Glover, but not for others. She encouraged support of SB 129. 1:45:32 PM CHAIR KAUFMAN thanked Ms. Staples for her testimony. 1:45:37 PM CHAIR KAUFMAN closed public testimony on SB 129. 1:45:45 PM At ease 1:46:13 PM CHAIR KAUFMAN reconvened the meeting. 1:46:20 PM SENATOR MYERS expressed his appreciation that SB 129 was moving forward. 1:46:51 PM CHAIR KAUFMAN solicited a motion from the committee. 1:46:55 PM SENATOR TOBIN moved to report SB 129, work order 33-LS0694\A from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). 1:47:12 PM CHAIR KAUFMAN found no objection and SB 129 was reported from the Senate Transportation Standing Committee.