SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE January 26, 1993 3:35 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Senator Bert Sharp, Chairman Senator Randy Phillips, Vice Chairman Senator Tim Kelly Senator Georgianna Lincoln MEMBERS ABSENT Senator Jay Kerttula COMMITTEE CALENDAR Organizational Meeting PREVIOUS SENATE COMMITTEE ACTION None WITNESS REGISTER Keith Gerkin, Deputy Commissioner Department of Transportation 3132 Channel Drive Juneau, Alaska 99801-7898 ACTION NARRATIVE TAPE 93-1, SIDE A Number 001 CHAIRMAN SHARP called the Senate Transportation Committee meeting to order at 3:35 p.m. He introduced committee members and people in attendance from the administration. Number 019 SENATOR KELLY moved and asked unanimous consent that the chairman be given the discretion to introduce legislation for the Senate Transportation Committee, without having to confer with the committee on every occasion. Hearing no objection, the motion carried. CHAIRMAN SHARP asked if members had any particular points of interest that the committee should consider at future meetings. SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS requested that the committee review the status of the Alaska Railroad. Chairman Sharp indicated that a teleconference overview is tentatively scheduled for February 9. Chairman Sharp explained that he is interested in the Dalton Highway, new highway construction, and the possibility of the railroad expanding to other areas. He noted that whenever possible, there would be joint hearings with the House Transportation Committee regarding legislation that they have a common interest in. Number 100 SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS indicated is interested in the governor's proposed northern sea route from the Bering Sea to Europe. Chairman Sharp noted that there would be a joint meeting with Senate Finance on Thursday, January 28, regarding the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA), presented by the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. He explained the committee would be having a formal hearing regarding Executive Order 87 on February 2. Chairman Sharp indicated the following legislation is presently in the Senate Transportation Committee: Executive Order 87, SJR 18, SB 16, and SB 38. Number 146 SENATOR KELLY noted he is a supporter of the Cordova Highway and the Whittier Road. He indicated he would appreciate anything the committee could do to move those issues along. SENATOR LINCOLN indicated interest in the following transportation issues: maintenance and the opening or closing of the Dalton Highway; status of the Copper River Highway and the Bettles Road; Alaska Marine Highway service in the Prince William Sound area; and the future of the ferry system. CHAIRMAN SHARP also noted his interest in the Dalton Highway. SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS explained that he feels that the members of the Senate Transportation Committee should also be the members of the Senate Finance Transportation Subcommittee. There was continued discussion regarding this matter. Number 260 KEITH GERKIN, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, explained that at the Thursday meeting there will be an overview of the ISTEA Program and current changes. He explained other issues that will come before the committee are: (1) the proposal for a constitutional amendment for dedicated funds for fuel taxes; (2) building mergers; (3) replacement ferry vessels; (4) the requirement for motor cycle drivers to wear helmets; (5) revoking driver's licenses of people convicted of drug offenses; (6) the organization of the department; (7) roads; and (8) the capital budget. SENATOR LINCOLN referred to the issue of small airports, how the dedicated fuel tax is dedicated to them, and what the plan is for maintenance and/or new expansions of small airports. MR. GERKIN explained that the state is continuing to receive about $50 million, per year, for the Federal Aviation Improvement Program from the federal government. The money will be for expanding and reconstructing airports throughout the state. He noted that the bill, like ISTEA, is a multi-year bill and expires in the current federal fiscal year. Congress will probably write something very similar in the future. Mr. Gerkin referred to the dedicated fund and said it would work for airports as it does for the other modes. Essentially, the constitutional amendment that would be put before the voters would say, "Whatever revenue received from this mode (airports, highways, marine highways, and harbors) can only be spent on the maintenance of facilities within that mode." There was continued discussion regarding airports. SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS requested that the committee have a meeting regarding Budget and Audit recommendations relating to the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. Number 412 There being no further business to come before the Senate Transportation Committee, Senator Sharp adjourned the meeting at 4:03 p.m.