HOUSE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE January 28, 1993 5:30 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Representative Richard Foster, Chair Representative Gary Davis, Vice-Chair Representative Al Vezey Representative Eldon Mulder Representative Curt Menard MEMBER ABSENT Representative Jerry Mackie COMMITTEE CALENDAR Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Overview WITNESS REGISTER Frank G. Turpin, Commissioner Department of Transportation and Public Facilities 3132 Channel Dr. Juneau, AK 99801-7898 465-3900 Position Statement: Provided a brief overview of DOT/PF Randy Simmons, Deputy Commissioner Department of Transportation and Public Facilities 3132 Channel Dr. Juneau, AK 99801-7898 465-3900 Position Statement: Observer Keith Gerken, Deputy Commissioner Department of Transportation and Public Facilities 3132 Channel Dr. Juneau, AK 99801-7898 465-3900 Position Statement: Observer Katie McHugh, Special Assistant Department of Transportation and Public Facilities 3132 Channel Dr. Juneau, AK 99801-7898 465-3900 Position Statement: Observer ACTION NARRATIVE TAPE 93-1, SIDE A Number 020 CHAIR RICHARD FOSTER called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Chair Foster introduced and welcomed the Commissioner of the Department of Transportation and Public Facility (DOT). COMMISSIONER FRANK TURPIN introduced himself for the record and began his overview by indicating the new issues facing the DOT this year, and the need for a lot of review of these issues. He mentioned that a lot of the items he would highlight in the overview would require special hearings just to discuss the particular items. The first item COMMISSIONER TURPIN discussed was the new ISTEA (Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991), and how it impacts Alaska. He said the Borough Transportation Program in relation to ISTEA would also require special hearings. Also included in the ISTEA program, which will require further discussion, are enhancements and safety aspects. Safety provisions will require the state to spend $11 million a year improving highway safety. This money was dedicated to that and cannot be used for any other purpose. Money left over may be used for traffic lights, night driving aids, etc. Commissioner Turpin said the state and the DOT can work together to use this large amount of money. If the $11 million is not used, the state will lose it. It will go into television commercials for driving safety. Number 102 COMMISSIONER TURPIN next discussed EXECUTIVE ORDER 87 that consolidates all the state buildings into the DOT. He stated the department will follow up with legislation which will set up an authority for managing state buildings. COMMISSIONER TURPIN discussed the new proposed Alaska Marine Highway vessel. The department is proposing to fund this vessel with department money. They will present and discuss that before the committee. Referring back to the ISTEA issue which he discussed earlier in the meeting, COMMISSIONER TURPIN brought up the new term "intermodelism". He said this was an interesting way to look at transportation. Alaska was one of six states given a grant to study intermodelism in order to set some of the criteria to best use the money in relation to putting the money into areas where it can best be utilized; i.e., road to airports, ferry terminals, and one city to another. Number 159 COMMISSIONER TURPIN brought up two potential pieces of legislation relating to federal money. The first one will require everybody to wear helmets on motorcycles. He noted that this law may be easier to pass in Alaska than the second one. In Alaska today, if you are 18 years of age, or a passenger on a motorcycle, you are required to wear a helmet. The state will lose 5 percent of federal funds and 10 percent each year thereafter. The department may request the House Transportation Committee to introduce this legislation. The second piece of legislation was a little more controversial -anyone convicted of a drug charge, no matter what they were doing when they were consuming the drug, would have their driver's license restricted for 90 days. He commented that this legislation may pass without controversy, but he would be surprised. The only other alternative to this piece would be for the House and Senate to pass a resolution and a letter from the governor. The letter from the governor would state that the state of Alaska has adequate drug control in the state and does not feel the law is necessary and the state refuses to pass such a law. Commissioner Turpin said he would prepare the resolutions. COMMISSIONER TURPIN indicated he would like an opportunity in the future to discuss the transportation dedicated fund and what it would mean in gasoline, air fuel and marine taxes in order to make the transportation system self- sufficient. Number 235 COMMISSIONER TURPIN also mentioned the discussions that took place last year in relation to reorganizing the DOT departments. He said there are currently three regions. The Northern Region has two divisions because of all the transportation problems in the northern area. The northern area included a division office in Nome and in Valdez, as well as the central unit in Fairbanks. Reorganization in the design and construction now has the people reporting directly to Fairbanks, which has improved efficiency. It has been proven to be beneficial in the Nome area where the employees who design the project are the people who live in that area for the project. The design engineers change into construction engineers in the summer. Commissioner Turpin felt that if more of that could be done, it could improve the efficiency. He stated the department is still looking into centralizing the planning operation. Number 277 COMMISSIONER TURPIN talked about several expansion projects he would like to bring before the committee in the future. General discussion followed the presentation by the commissioner. COMMISSIONER TURPIN mentioned that an unfortunate thing happened last year due to a mix-up and other errors that were made. The DOT funds were cut about 35 percent on the Dalton Highway. Several options were tried in order to make the funds available to do the job required. The DOT developed an RFP (request for proposal) for contracting the maintenance on the road, and this proved to be more expensive. The increase in snow added another variable to the financial problems on the Dalton Road. It has been estimated that the DOT is currently $1.2 million short on funding for maintenance on the Dalton Road for the rest of the year. COMMISSIONER TURPIN indicated he would submit a supplemental that will add the $1.2 million to the budget for the Dalton Highway. The DOT is now proposing to restore $1.8 million to the maintenance budget, which was cut from $2.5 million. Commissioner Turpin said $1 million has been added to the capitol budget for deferred maintenance for the Dalton Highway, which will allow them to make up for work they set aside and were unable to do this winter, or the damage that has occurred. ADJOURNMENT Number 589 CHAIR FOSTER adjourned the meeting at 6:10 p.m.