SENATE LABOR AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE May 3, 1994 1:40 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Senator Tim Kelly, Chairman Senator Steve Rieger, Vice-Chairman Senator Bert Sharp Senator Georgianna Lincoln Senator Judy Salo MEMBERS ABSENT All Members Present COMMITTEE CALENDAR CS FOR SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 301(L&C) "An Act prohibiting the sale of certain studded tires or the sale of certain studs to be installed in tires; and providing for an effective date." PREVIOUS SENATE COMMITTEE ACTION HB 301 - See Transportation minutes dated 4/26/94. WITNESS REGISTER Curtis Smith, Staff to Representative Mark Hanley State Capitol Juneau, AK 99801-1182 POSITION STATEMENT: Offered information on HB 301 ACTION NARRATIVE TAPE 94-34, SIDE A Number 001 CHAIRMAN TIM KELLY called the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee meeting to order at 1:40 p.m. He brought CSSSHB 301(L&C) (BAN SALE LE OF SOME STUDDED TIRES AND STUDS) before the committee as the only order of business. CURTIS SMITH, staff to Representative Mark Hanley, said that according to the Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, studded tires are currently causing about $5 million per year in road maintenance damage to Alaska highways. The ruts caused by the studs have decreased the expected life span of Alaska highways by about ten-fold. On top of that, road depreciation is not the only side effect as water-filled ruts left by these studs has made traveling in the summer months, especially when its raining, extremely unsafe. In researching the problem, Representative Hanley found that in Northern Europe they have developed a light weight stud that has been found to cut road wear up to 50 percent. This stud wears the same as the studs currently found on tires, is just as effective and icosts the same, but on the roads it has a significant effect by reducing road wear by about 50 percent. Mr. Smith added that these studs are currently available and that Johnson Tire Service of Anchorage will be using them in next year's tire lines. Number 029 SENATOR KELLY asked if any other states have enacted similar legislation. CURTIS SMITH responded that he is not aware of it being enacted by any other state, but Washington is pursuing this legislation after hearing of the intent of HB 301. Number 040 SENATOR KELLY asked for the pleasure of the committee. SENATOR RIEGER moved that HB 301 be passed out of committee with individual recommendations. Hearing no objection, it was so ordered. There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 1:40 p.m.